A simple, reliable
route optimization API.
Ready to use.
Optimize standard routing problems with just a few API calls.
Built by developers, battle-tested in production for years, and now available in self-service.
Get a token instantly, send your data, and receive a robust routing solution.
No complex configuration, no commitment, pay-as-you-go.
Powered by Kardinal’s optimization engine.
Why choose Kardinal’s route optimization API?
Designed for standard routing problems
Kardinal’s API is built to handle the most common routing constraints and objectives, with reliable and deterministic results. No over-engineering, just a solid optimization engine that does the job for predictable use cases.
Sandbox and production tokens included
Every account comes with two API tokens. A free sandbox token lets you validate requests safely, while a production token is used for real optimizations. Test freely, without billing risks, before going live.
Built for developers, easy to integrate
The API is designed for fast and straightforward integrations. Simple authentication, clear endpoints, and concise documentation let you go from setup to first optimization with minimal effort.
Simple, predictable usage-based pricing
Pricing is directly tied to your actual usage, with clear and transparent rules. No hidden fees, no long-term commitment. You always know how your API usage translates into cost.
Full visibility on usage and billing
A dedicated dashboard gives you real-time insight into API calls, usage volumes, and billing. No black box: track exactly what you consume and what you’ll pay.
A clear path to advanced optimization
If your routing constraints grow more complex, Kardinal offers advanced optimization through a dedicated API. Start simple, and scale when your needs evolve.
{
"resources":[{"id":"john",...}],
"stops":[{"id":"acme",...}],
"objective":"minimizeDistance",
"tz":"Europe/Paris"
}
Integrate our algorithm in just a few lines of code
Example of a JSON payload to launch an optimization request. Simply add the API to your stack and retrieve optimized routes.
- No breaking changes in 5+ years of production use.
- Asynchronous processing with webhooks: no blocking calls, no polling required.
How does pricing actually work?
Kardinal uses a simple, usage-based pricing model.
Each vehicle included in an optimization request counts as one transaction.
You only pay for what you actually optimize.
No subscription, no hidden rules.
Use the simulator below to estimate your monthly cost based on your expected usage.
Estimate your monthly cost
Our API is usage-based, billed according to the total number of vehicles optimized in all optimization runs each month.
You control your budget:
No fixed costs, you only pay for the calls you make.
Pricing is clear and upfront, with no surprises.
Scale up, scale down, or test freely based on your actual needs.
Optimization API Cost Simulator:
And if you only use it for one month?
You only pay for the vehicles optimized during that month. It’s that simple.
What is included?
All features are exposed through a stateless, explicit API. Every request is self-contained.
Here are the objectives, constraints, and options available in this API version (Kardinal Pay-As-You-Go Simple):
Optimization objectives:
In this version of the Kardinal API for simple problems, optimization objectives are single-choice.
Users can choose between:
Minimizing total working time, or
Minimizing total distance traveled by the fleet’s vehicles.
Constraints:
Vehicle constraints
- Vehicle capacity (volume, weight, units)
- Maximum number of available vehicles
- Fixed start/end point (single or multiple depots)
- Single vehicle type
Constraints on locations to visit
- Quantity to deliver or pick up
- Time windows for delivery/visit
Time constraints
- Maximum route duration / maximum distance
- Service time at each customer
- Route start/end times (simple time windows)
Regulatory constraints
- Maximum driver working time
- Basic break management
- Compliance with traffic restrictions based on vehicle type
(size, weight, regulated access areas)
Traffic:
The “Pay As You Go – Simple Optimization” plan includes simplified road traffic management.
Traffic is handled via a traffic coefficient applied after optimization, as is the case with most software solutions on the market.
With the “Pay As You Go – Simple Optimization + Traffic” plan, predictive traffic is applied.
Predictive traffic allows routes to account for travel time variations throughout the day directly in the optimization calculations. The resulting routes are highly realistic, especially in urban areas.
What if I need additional constraints?
If the constraints listed above are too limited for your needs, our API dedicated to complex optimizations is made for you.
Book a free 30-minute audit with one of our modeling consultants.
After this discussion, you’ll receive your personalized pricing within 24 hours.
Gartner®
Kardinal recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Vehicle Routing & Scheduling.
Resources
