I build routes on my own. I have a few MSC's with which I work a lot. When I notice a group of shops in one area that might be a bit of a drive or overnight trip, I check with the scheduler to see if I might be able to pick them all up and if there might be a bit of a bonus available for doing so. (Sometimes a scheduler will contact me.) I then ask for a couple of days to see if I can put other shops with them. Usually, I'll take a look at other MSC's before initially contacting the scheduler, so it's really a matter of making sure that I can get enough other shops assigned. Once I have enough shops assigned, I put together the transportation.
Sometimes, the route is a long drive where I stop periodically for shops. These are difficult for me because I do an awful lot of shops with targets and targets can have days off on the day I'm traveling through. However, they are great if I have a series f shops that are drop-ins with flexible times and dates. My last couple of routes have involved me going to a location, staying at a hotel (with good WiFi!) that is central to them, and making multiple day routes from that location.
If I need to fly, I have been doing the flights as shops. I have not done hotel shops as the ones that I have seen have been enough work that they would undermine my routes. But, perhaps, I just haven't found the right hotel shops.
In any case, it takes a tone of planning and communication to pull them off. But, if you like a little adventure, they are fun. Heck, I just spent five days in San Francisco and returned about $1300 wealthier than when I left. Plus, I had one afternoon to play tourist.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.