A method for controlling an autonomous construction vehicle may include defining a boundary of a construction site and automatically creating a site plan for navigating the autonomous construction vehicle within the boundary. The site plan includes a work area within the boundary, a maneuver area positioned between the work area and the boundary, a start point for the autonomous construction vehicle, and a path for the autonomous construction vehicle. A controller can then provide the site plan for review and activate autonomy mode to automatically control the autonomous construction vehicle according to the site plan.