Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops

Calculating an optimal route based on specified intermediate stops is described herein. A mapping application is configured to compute a route from a start point to an end point in dependence upon criteria specifying one or more intermediate stops. The initial route determination incorporates consideration of the one or more specified intermediate stops as part of calculating the route. In one example, a request is received to search for an intermediate stop that satisfies search criteria indicating at least a type of location. In response to the search, search results are obtained with multiple options for routes between the start point and end point including intermediate stops that satisfy the search criteria. An optimal route is selected from the multiple options based upon defined optimization criteria. Optimization criteria may include but is not limited to distance, travel time, traffic data, weather conditions, date and time, and so forth.