If you have ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a multi drop driver in Essex, this guide shows exactly what carriers expect and how drivers manage their time across different areas of the county.
Morning Start at the Depot
Most Essex multi drop routes begin at a carrier depot, with Amazon Logistics facilities in Tilbury or DPD hubs in Basildon among the largest operations in the region. The Tilbury Amazon centre is actually the biggest in the UK, covering 2 million square feet.
Your shift starts with a vehicle check, inspecting tyres, lights and fluid levels. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on planning journeys, proper vehicle checks are essential before any delivery route begins.
You then load parcels in delivery order. Most drivers receive between 80 and 150 stops depending on the area. Routes in densely packed areas like Barking or Basildon might have more stops within a smaller geographic area, while rural routes involve longer distances between drops.
If you are new to the role, it is worth reading what does a multi drop driver do to understand the basics.
Typical Essex Route Structures
Essex routes vary significantly based on the area you cover:
Area Type |
Example Locations |
Typical Stops |
Geographic Coverage |
Main Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban Dense |
Barking, Basildon, Chelmsford |
120-150 |
5-8 miles |
Parking restrictions, narrow streets |
Suburban Mixed |
Brentwood, Rayleigh, Wickford |
100-130 |
10-15 miles |
Mix of estates and older areas |
Coastal Towns |
Southend, Clacton, Maldon |
90-120 |
12-18 miles |
Seasonal traffic, tourist areas |
Rural Routes |
Villages near Colchester |
80-100 |
20-30 miles |
Longer drive times between stops |
Urban routes might finish faster despite more stops because addresses are close together. Rural routes need different time management because you spend longer on the road between deliveries.
Navigating Essex Roads
Essex has a well-connected road network. The A12 runs from Brentwood to Colchester, though it can become congested during peak times. The A127 Southend Arterial Road links Romford with Southend and serves areas including Basildon and Rayleigh. The M25 touches the western edge of Essex, providing access to areas like Brentwood and the A13 towards Tilbury.
Local knowledge becomes valuable over time. You learn which residential streets are too narrow for your van, where parking wardens patrol, and which housing estates have confusing layouts.
Business Versus Residential Deliveries
Business deliveries typically need to happen during working hours, usually between 9am and 5pm. You might need a signature, and parcels often cannot be left without someone present.
Residential deliveries offer more flexibility. If a customer is not home, you can leave parcels in safe places like porches or with neighbours (if the customer has given permission). The delivery app lets you photograph where you have left each parcel as proof of delivery.
Managing Time and Meeting Targets
Most drivers aim to complete around 15 to 20 stops per hour, though this varies depending on area density. Time management involves organising your van so parcels for upcoming stops are easily accessible, parking strategically to deliver to multiple addresses from one spot, and using the delivery app efficiently.
Peak times create additional pressure. School run hours between 3pm and 4pm add congestion to residential areas. Planning your route to avoid these pinch points helps maintain your pace.
Challenges Across Different Essex Areas
Older towns like Colchester have narrow residential streets never designed for modern delivery vans. New housing developments around Basildon can be confusing with similar-looking streets. Coastal areas like Southend experience seasonal variation, with summer bringing tourists and heavier traffic.
Getting Started
Want to know what actual drivers think? You can hear from Essex drivers who share their experiences.
If you are interested in joining the Essex delivery network, you can explore multi drop driver vacancies across the region. For those specifically interested in local opportunities, there are Barking delivery driver positions available now.
