A cleaning route is a list of stops, each with cleaning time plus drive time. Summing the time across stops tells you if the route fits the shift and how many crews you need.
The example
5 stops, clean + drive time.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | Clean + drive | 7.5 hrs |
| 3 | vs 8-hr shift | → Fits |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Each stop has a cleaning time (area ÷ production rate) and a drive time to the next.
- Sum both columns for the total route time.
- Compare to the shift length: fits if total ≤ shift hours.
- Crews needed = ROUNDUP(total route time ÷ shift) — or split stops across routes.
Drive time is the silent route-killer. Five jobs that each clean in an hour look like a five-hour day until you add 30 minutes of driving between each — suddenly it’s seven-plus. Summing drive time alongside cleaning time, and sequencing stops to minimize it (route density), is what keeps a shift profitable. A scattered route burns paid hours on the road, not the mop.
Try it: interactive demo
Total clean hours, total drive hours, shift.
Variations
Crews needed
Total ÷ shift:
Drive-time share
Route efficiency:
Stops that fit
Cumulative cap:
Pitfalls & errors
Include drive time. Travel between stops is paid time — count it.
Realistic shift. Subtract breaks from the available shift hours.
Sequence stops. Route density cuts drive time — order matters.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate total route time in Excel?
How many crews does a route need?
Why does drive time matter so much?
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