Geocoding is the process of finding associated geographic coordinates, expressed as Latitude and Longitude, from the address data provided in the Stop File, Master File, and Truck File. This step in the routing process is required, as it enables the locations to be mapped and used to establish appropriate routes. All addresses in the Stop File and Truck File must have a Lat/Long attached for the routing process to work correctly. 

DirectRoute can use an Address, City, State, Zip, or Phone Number to geocode your spreadsheet records. Once a record has been geocoded, you can manually move the record anywhere on the map using DirectRoute shortcuts. (This will change your longitude and latitude in the stop file.) In addition, to keep track of the method used to geocode different records, you can select a color to assign to the stop symbols as they are placed on the map. This option can be turned on via the geocoding tab.

If the file you are using already has the coordinates (Lat/Long) for each stop, the stops will automatically be placed on the map when the file is opened in DirectRoute. For new files that have not been geocoded, this function will need to be performed. The methods for geocoding your records are contained in the next sections.

Before geocoding any records, it is important to ensure the addresses in each file are accurate. If unsure, or if any part of the address is missing, select Update/Address/City/Zip from the geocoding tab and DirectRoute updates your entry with the cleaned up or correct address information. It also identifies 5-digit Zip Codes and updates the record to a 9-digit Zip Code as needed, which provides better geocode results.

The following sections provide easy instruction for completing the geocode process.

• Assign colors to the different geocode options.
• Select a Geocode Option (Address, City, State, Zip, or Phone Number) to geocode your records.
• Review the geocode results and validate, if necessary.
• Create a custom geocode file.
• Geocoding with Google Maps API.