map showing travel time radius

What is TravelTime?

Create a Travel Time Map

Travel time map generator & isochrones, i know i can get from a to b by public transport within my selected time, but it's not showing up.

• Walking to the station platform
• Waiting for the next available departure
• Time spent boarding the train
• Giving enough time to take the A to B journey
• Depart on the station on the other side.

You can't drive that far / you can drive much further than that"

• Open another mapping app of your choice and enter an A to B route
• Select a departure time for tomorrow.

Still not convinced?

About this tool, what is a travel time map, how to create a drive time radius map or other modes.

• Select a start location
• Select a maximum travel time limit
• Select a mode of transport, for example driving
• Voila! There's your driving radius map

Use cases for consumers

• Create a commute time map so you can see where to live based on commute time.
• How far can i travel in a given time: compare transport coverage for different areas.
• Create a drive time radius map: explore how far you can travel on a road trip.

Use cases for businesses

• Travel time mapping up to 4 hours & cross reference other data sets in GIS such as population data
• Site selection analysis: analyse the best location to locate a business by adding thousands of analysis points
• Create a distance matrix or travel time matrix & calculate travel times from thousands of origins to thousands of destinations
• Network analysis / travelling salesman problem: use spatial analytics to solve routing problems
• Commute time map - plot thousands of employee commute times for an office relocation
• Create up to 3 time polygons visualising where's reachable within 2 hours or less. Our API can create large travel time areas, talk to sales.
• Calculate travel times from an origin to various points of interest - in this demo we use points from Foursquare Give A to B routing details

Full access

• Book a demo
• Trial TravelTime API
• Trial QGIS Plugin
• Trial ArcGIS Pro Add-In
• Trial Alteryx Macros

TravelTime Features

• See 'How far can I get' in X minutes
• Create a drive time map or any other transport mode
• Overlap many shapes & highlight overlap area
• Search points of interest within the area
• Get A to B routing details

• Plot a Route
• Upload a Route

Make Me a Route

Plot with waypoints.

• Combine Routes
• Split a Route
• Trace a Route
• Create a Collection
• Challenge Tracker
• Plot a Radius Map
• My Collections
• My Challenges
• My Linked Apps
• Find a Route
• Browse Routes
• Browse Collections
• Browse Challenges
• GPS Art Gallery
• Hotels and B&B's
• Weather Forecast

Popular Routes

• Walking Routes
• Running Routes
• Cycling Routes
• Horse Rides
• Motorbike Routes
• Browse Clubs
• Create a Club
• About Clubs
• Tutorial Videos
• How-To Guides
• Registration Help
• Maps for Events
• Latest News
• Feature Requests
• My Settings
• My Notifications
• My User Profile
• My Home Page

Route Planner

ROUTE TIMER

Split a route, plot a route using waypoints.

The maximum number of waypoints has been reached. For more complex routes please use the standard route plotting features.

COMBINE NEARBY ROUTES

Select the AUTO -PLOT setting to use for joining the two routes together before clicking the button above.

Sorry, this route starts too far away to join it to the end of the current route. Please select a route less than 10km away.

MAKE ME A ROUTE

Drag marker A to the start then click MAKE ROUTES

SNAP ROUTE TO MAP

Search results.

No routes were found in this area matching your criteria. Try zooming out or changing your search criteria.

You can also use our Make Me a Route feature to automatically generate routes from a chosen start point.

ROUTE OPTIONS

Use the Reshape Route tool from the toolbar to make make any adjustments to the route after you've accepted it.

PLOT A RADIUS MAP

Inspect terrain, directions / notes, advertisement.

You don't have any places bookmarked yet!

• TERRAIN MAP
• SATELLITE MAP
• TRANSPORT MAP
• WORLD TOPO MAP
• USGS TOPO MAP (US)
• ACCUTERRA (US)
• ORDNANCE SURVEY (GB)
• ROAD BIKEABLE BETA  
• All OFF All ON
• Further options available under My Settings

PREMIUM Membership

PREMIUM Feature

• faster route plotting
• higher usage limits
• additional features
• an ad-free experience
• PREMIUM member status

Sign In to My Account

Saved route information refresh edit, creator's notes for this route back to route info, save the route, about this route, directions/notes, print the route, download the route to a file for use with other devices or applications, share this route.

Please save the route first before sharing it.

Private Routes Can't Be Shared

This route is currently marked as Private. To share it you need to first make it Public.

Please Now Activate Your Registration

Thank you for registering. We've sent an activation email to: Please click on the link in this email to complete your registration. If the email hasn't arrived it would be worth checking your Spam folder.

Once your account has been activated you can sign in to save and share all your favourite routes.

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Compressing route for saving...

Large routes like this are compressed before saving so that they load more quickly. Please note that this can sometimes result in tiny adjustments to the measured distance.

This Route Is Owned By Someone Else

Upload a route.

Routes can be uploaded to plotaroute.com from GPS data files in any of the following formats: GPX, TCX, FIT or KML.

Upload Photos

Reload unsaved route.

The last route you edited wasn't saved. Would you like to reload this or start with a clear map?

You will need to create an account to save and share any routes you plot

Delete this route?

You are about to permenently delete the following route. Please confirm you want to do this?

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Choose one of the following options or just close this box to explore the map.

If you want to save any routes you plot please create an account first SIGN UP FOR FREE

TIP: Bookmark places you often plot routes from - click this symbol above the map

TIP: Click the Locate Me icon above the map at any time to show your current location

Search for routes on the map

• Choose where you want to search.
• Use the Find menu to refine your search criteria.

To search for a route by name close this message and use the search box next to the menus

Bookmarked Routes MANAGE BOOKMARKS DONE

Number of routes you've bookmarked: -

You can also access your Bookmarked Routes on your home page.

Please confirm...

Delete relocate duplicate edit info at  , road side plotting, delete relocate duplicate add symbols and labels to the map, delete edit a detour, usage limit reached.

You have reached your Private Routes limit. The route has not been saved.

Private Routes Limit: Private Routes saved:

We recommend that you save this route as a Public Route for now and review the Privacy status of your routes on the My Routes page.

UPGRADE NOW You can increase your limits by upgrading to PREMIUM Membership.

Points Limit Reached

You have exceeded your Route Points limit for this route. It has not been saved.

Points Limit: Points Plotted: REDUCE POINTS

We recommend that you use our Reduce Points feature to compress large routes with minimal loss of accuracy.

Photos Limit Reached

You have reached your Photos limit for this route.

Photos Limit: Photos Added:

Before uploading any new photos, you will need to delete existing photos to stay within your Photos limit.

Make Me a Route Limit Reached

You have reached your Make Me a Route request limit for today.

Credits Per Day: Credits Used:

Credits are replenished 24 hours after they are used.

UPGRADE NOW You can increase your Make Me a Route credits and other usage limits by upgrading to PREMIUM Membership.

Filter Search Results

The Make Me a Route feature will generate a selection of routes for you given a start point and a target distance. To begin click on the map to select the start point.

NOTE: This feature is subject to usage limits so you need to be signed in to use it.

The Plot With Waypoints feature enables you to plot a route by placing a small number of waypoints on the map, which you can drag to different positions to experiment with different route options.

To plot a more complex route with many waypoints, close this message, turn on the Auto-Plot switch and plot points on the map.

 Combine Routes

The Combine Routes feature enables you to join together two or more routes.

The start of the route being appended must be near the end of the route it is being attached to. If there is a gap, a interconnecting path will be automatically plotted between the two routes, taking into account the Auto-Plot mode you have selected.

Start typing the name of a route and select from the options listed.

 Clear the Map

This will clear the current route from the map so that you can plot a new one. If the route has been saved it won't be deleted (you can do this on the My Routes page).

Please choose whether you would like to clear the current route completely from the map (CLEAR MAP) or leave it on the background map for future reference (LEAVE TRACE) . You can temporarily hide Traces using the switches under DISPLAY OPTIONS. To permenently remove all Traces from the background map select CLEAR MAP.

CLEAR MAP LEAVE TRACE

Choose a Type of Map

Your route has been saved.

The route has been saved but has been flagged for moderation due to possible spam content. You can continue to edit the route but it will not be listed on pubicly accessible parts of the website until it has been reviewed and approved - you can check the approval status of the route on your My Routes page.

The Route is currently Private . If you want to share it with friends, just save the route again and change its Shared status to Public .

SHARE THIS ROUTE CONTINUE EDITING MANAGE MY ROUTES

 * My Abbreviated Directions

Add a new abbreviation, by bike auto-plot options.

• Avoid Unpaved - tries to avoid roads and paths with unmade surfaces that may not be suitable for road bikes
• Avoid Major Roads - avoids the major classes of road where possible.
• Prefer Off-Road - gives preference to off-road routes

These options are by nature more restrictive than the standard By Bike option, so you may need to turn them off if you find that you can't auto-plot a route to your next point.

Routing with both of these options is carried out using map data from OpenStreetMap (OSM). Their effectiveness will depend on the availability of surface and cycling access data in your local area. If you would like to help improve the map data in your area, please take a look at our How-To Guide .

It may sometimes be necessary to dismount from your bike. Please observe local laws regarding right of way.

On Foot Auto-Plot Options

Premium members have the option to refine this by selecting Prefer Off-Road . This will give priority to waymarked trails and other footpaths, while trying to avoid roads, particularly busier ones. Obviously this will depend on the availablity of suitable trails and paths in the area. It works best if there is a bigger distance between the points you plot, as there are then more alternative routes to consider.

Please be careful to observe all signs for rights of way when following routes you are not familiar with, as we cannot guarantee that they are safe for your chosen activity or that they do not cross private land.

Save the Split Routes

• The new split routes will be saved with the same attributes (terrain, privacy, etc.) as the original route, subject to any usage limits. You can alter the attributes of each route later from your My Routes page.
• The split routes will not include any detours from the original route.
• The split routes will not include any photos from the original route.
• The split routes will not include any symbols or labels added directly to the map rather than the route's directions.

Auto-Plot Feature

If you find that you are unable to auto-plot on a road or path you see on the map, it usually means that the route engine couldn't find a viable route between the last point you plotted (the origin) and the one you are trying to plot (the destination). Route calculations are made using OpenStreetMap (OSM) maps, so this problem means that one or more of the origin, the destination or an unavoidable road in between are not tagged on OSM as suitable for the Auto-Plot mode you chose (BY ROAD, ON FOOT or BY BIKE). To overcome this you can temporarily change the Auto-Plot switch to another setting (ON FOOT usually has the widest access) or turn it off to plot manually. Deselecting any of the Auto-Plot sub-options (e.g. Unvoid Unpaved, Prefer Off-Road) can also sometimes help, as these options are by nature more restrictive.

You can also contribute to improving the OSM maps by adding missing access tags, as OSM is a community project where anyone can make edits. See our guide on correcting map errors for more details on this. Changes you make on OSM will flow through to plotaroute.com as we implement regular updates.

It is also worth noting that the exact positions of roads and paths can vary between map providers, for example some intentionally move map features very slightly to make their maps clearer to read. So, if you are plotting a route on a non-OSM map, you may occasionally find that the route is not perfectly aligned with the map. However, any discrepancies will not be visible if you then share your route, as routes are shared using OSM maps.

Assign Tags to this Route

Local heatmap.

Select an activity type to continue.

• For guidance only - Based on routes shared on Plotaroute. We cannot guarantee the suitability of routes created by other users.
• Subject to usage limits - Standard: 1 per day, Premium 30 per day.
• Zoom out first for a wider search and in for a more detailed search.
• Use the +/- controls on search results area to show/hide the routes.

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Find a road trip near me

Search for places within hours of your home city and plan a quick getaway.

Find somewhere new and interesting to explore that's only a few hours drive from your hometown. Plan a day trip or a weekend getaway, and escape from your city to discover nearby places. Search in any direction based on travel time or driving distance to find local towns and things to do. Explore a radius of 1 hour from Akron OH .

Check out the latest coverage in the Los Angeles Times :

If you’re planning a road trip this summer, take Within Hours for a spin. The simple website allows you to plug in a destination and learn about nearby attractions.

Or from Clark.com :

Where do you start to search for somewhere new and interesting to explore that’s only a few hours drive from your hometown? WithinHours lets you search in any direction based on travel time or driving distance to find places to go and things to do.

Travel time from me

1 hour from me within 1-1/2 hours of me cities within 2 hours of me 2-1/2 hours from my location map a 3 hr radius from me 3-1/2 hour radius from here places within 4 hours of me within a 4-1/2 hour drive 5 hour drive from me 6 hours from me 7 hours away 8 hour radius places 9 hours away

Distance from me

8 miles from me cities 10 miles from me 17 miles away from me 20 miles away 22 miles from me places within 30 miles of me 39 miles away within 40 miles of me 41 miles from me cities located 50 miles from me cities 55 miles from me 60 miles from me cities 65 miles away from me

places 70 miles away 75 mile radius from me 80 miles away 85 miles distance 90 mile radius 95 miles distance from me 100 mile radius from me 150 miles from me 200 miles away 300 mile drive places 400 miles away 500 mile radius 600 miles from here

• Coordinates
• Language (EN)

Map Radius Calculator

You can draw multiple circles, distances, areas or elevations, import/export data save and edit them later with a larger map! Try Calcmaps PRO

Click in the Button Draw a Circle, then Click on map to place the center of the circle and drag at same time to start creating the circle. You can also create a circle with a fixed size.

Empty Pipes

Approximate flight time map.

• 13 Jul 2015

The map below shows the approximate flight time (in hours) from any location on earth to any other.

• Double click to change the starting point (sorry mobile users!).
• Click and drag to pan
• Scroll to zoom in and out
• Click on the Flight Times and Flight Paths checkboxes to toggle the displayed lines

The red lines above indicate equal distances of approximately 1660 km, from the starting location. This distance corresponds to (very) roughly two hours of flight time in a commercial airliner. The actual time would depend on the type of plane, wind conditions, trajectory and a host of other factors that are omitted for simplicity.

The flight paths option, when checked, shows the path a flight might take when going to any point on the globe. Notice that no matter which direction it goes in, it will always go over the opposite side of the earth if it flies long enough.

The more observant of the viewers will notice that the distances and paths above are equivalent to rotated latitudes and longitudes where the ‘topmost’ point is not the north pole, but rather the location chosen as the starting point. If there is a proper name for these rotated meridians and parallels please let me know.

Background Is it further to fly from Madrid to Los Angeles or from Helsinki to Los Angeles? Think about it. If you’re anything like me, you would have guessed Madrid, and you would have been wrong. Madrid is about 9300 km from LA, while Helsinki is 9000 km, as the plane flies.

What gives? Well, essentially the earth is a sphere (mostly), and the map is distorted. A plane flying from Helsinki to LA would actually start off flying north-west rather than south-west (where LA appears to be), because it would be flying along the great circle which contains both LA and Helsinki (or Madrid). Because the flight goes over the ‘top’ of the world, it’s actually slightly shorter than the flight from Madrid, that has to go around nearer to the equator.

Other interesting facts that one can glean from this map:

• New Zealand is opposite Madrid on the globe.
• Ecuador and Colombia are opposite Indonesia
• If you wanted to fly direct from New York to Jakarta, you would have to go either directly north or directly south
• It would take a commercial airliner about 22 hours to fly halfway around the globe.

Thanks to patricksurry’s block for an example of how to implement a rolling pan and zoom with d3.js.

Errata / Disclaimer Everything is an estimate. Rounding errors abound. Don’t use this for anything but entertainment and curiosity. But you already know that.

© pkerp 2013-2017

Travel Time Map

Travel time is one of the most important criteria people use when choosing a destination. Whether traveling for work or leisure, people want to know what is within their reach, within a certain traveling time.

Travel time maps (also called driving time maps or isochrone maps ) show how far you can go from a location within a certain time.

In other words, Isochrones are a powerful analytic tool that offer exact answers to the question "what is within X travel time of this location?"

What Travel Time Maps Can Do For Your Business

People search for information online before making a trip, moving home, job hunting or even finding a specific store branch, which means travel time maps are becoming more popular in the business world. When you display travel time alongside search results on a map, it's easier for your customers to compare results. They don't have to click away to look up info on third-party maps. That keeps them on your website.

Using isochrones helps your visitors scout out locations and amenities based on the required travel time . Customizable travel time search means you display the results that matter to your customers, which establishes your business as one they can rely on.

With Geoapify isochrone maps , you can refine the route by your preferred mode of transport. Choose from walking , driving , truck , bicycle , or public transit . For example, find hospitals within twenty driving minutes of a location, or beaches within thirty public transit minutes.

With research showing that 85% of family travelers rank being near major attractions or theme parks as being of utmost importance when booking a holiday, providing a travel time map helps them make decisions.

Time travel maps help tourism businesses provide up-to-date and personalized information to their customers. For example, visitors can see which tourist attractions and amenities are in reach of accommodation so they can make the best choice.

Visitors can also check how close accommodations and amenities are to each other, making it easier to plan day trips and make sure they see all the sights they want.

Estate Agents

Estate agents can use isochrones to help customers find their next dream home. Having the right things within the right distance is a must when looking for a new home to buy or rent. The time to reach amenities and public transport is important to house hunters. For example, one study found that 25% of people in London said living near a tube is essential when choosing a new home.

Use isochrones to help clients search for schools within a certain walking distance of a property, or shops within a certain driving distance. Customers can also look for sports facilities, swimming pools, other leisure facilities, public transport hubs and more.

Time travel maps make it easier for people to visualize living in a location . They can get a feel for what they'll be able to do in their new location. Using isochrone maps takes the guesswork out of finding properties to view, and encourages customers to book a viewing appointment for houses and apartments that match their needs.

Businesses of all kinds can use isochrones to show customers the travel time from their location to a specific store location . Use travel time maps to create an up-to-date store finder that helps customers find stores near their home, or look at which stores they’ll be able to reach on their next holiday or business trip.

Businesses can use isochrones to expand their company , too. Use isochrone maps to scout out potential new locations, and get a feel for how reachable those locations will be for your target demographic and staff members.

You can combine isochrones with demographic data to better understand potential new areas. For example, find out if your potential clients live or work nearby and how easy it will be for them to reach you within a decent time frame.

Logistics and Delivery

Businesses use travel time maps to find the best locations for their warehouses and logistic centers . These tools focus on places where the travel times from different customers are minimized, thereby reducing costs and handling your sales better.

For example, the size of the isochrone indicates how easily you can reach a place. Moreover, the overlapping of the isochrones shows well-covered areas , while the holes signify where service is problematic.

Commute Planning

Individuals can use isochrones to plan commuting times for themselves or their families. Optimizing commute times to work or study locations makes for less time spent commuting, and an easier time coordinating with the rest of the family.

Educational institutions and employers can also use isochrones to help students or employees plan their commutes and find the most efficient routes. Research shows that every minute of commute time lowers job satisfaction and increases stress, so anything you can do to help students and employees find the best route will help.

Looking for a new office location? Use isochrones to see how good or bad the public transport connections are , and see which amenities such as shops or healthcare locations are in easy reach.

Classifieds and Directories

Help classified readers narrow their search to find what matters to them. With isochrones, they can search for jobs or items for sale within a specific distance of their home . No more finding the ideal job or item for purchase, only to find it’s in a hard-to-reach location or simply too far away.

Narrowing results by travel distance means more relevant and accurate results, and more satisfied customers.

Travel time maps have a wide range of applications across industries and even for personal use. Show your visitors the information they need, and they're more likely to stay on your website, or making a booking of enquiry.

Wondering how best to use isochrones in your business? Eager to get started? Try isochrones for free in our playground, or get in touch to discuss your specific needs.

Ready to get started?

Learn more about isochrone maps.

Start A Free Trial Now

No Credit Card Required

Calculate Accurate Travel Times with Drive Time Maps

Cut costs and keep your business competitive with Maptive Driving Radius Map tool.

• Map out the fastest and most profitable routes
• Upload location data from Excel
• Easily share and export routes and directions
• 100% cloud-based
• User friendly
• Fully integrated with Google Maps

What Can You Do with a Driving Radius Map?

If you’ve ever struggled when preparing a local marketing strategy or optimizing logistics for your business, creating a driving radius map is the solution. With Maptive, you will not only be able to see where you can travel to in a given amount of time, but you can also access US Census data for more efficient sales prospecting and assess the potential for business locations.

• Business Site Selection : With insights from your driving radius map, you can place your new store or business offices in a location that is optimal for both sales and your employees’ commute.
• Sales & Marketing Strategy : Target your sales and marketing areas with demographic data while balancing your territories effectively and assigning the right accounts to the right salesperson based on drive time.
• Catchment Area Analysis : Catchment area analysis helps you understand where your customers come from, how they behave, and how to place locations for optimal results. Supercharge your analysis by layering it with precise drive times and distances between your locations or competitors. 
• Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization : Select the sites of distribution centers for maximum coverage and easiest access, find the most efficient route from your start location, and adapt in real-time within your chosen radius.
• Business Road Trips : Calculate how far you can travel in a given amount of time, discover nearby attractions and other points of interest for team building, and find your best route.

How Does It Work?

To use Maptive’s Driving Radius Map tool, simply:

• Step 1. Become a Maptive user for FREE.
• Step 2. Upload your location data from Excel spreadsheets, Google Sheets, your own CRM, or copy-paste your data directly into Maptive.
• Step 3. Create your map and open the Radius and Proximity Tool–here, you can choose your location and customize your radius by distance or driving time.
• Step 4. Optimize your map with Maptive customization tools and see your data or share it directly with your team

Why Maptive?

• Real-Time, Accurate Drive Time Data
• Determine Distances from Any Location on Your Map
• Access Maptive From Anywhere: Maptive is Cloud-Based, Mobile-Friendly, and Features Global Coverage
• Get Powerful Enterprise-Level Functionality—No Software or Coding Required.
• Group & Segment Your Data and Conduct Proximity Analysis Easily
• Fully Customize Your Map’s Appearance
• Share, Print, Embed, and Display Your Maps
• Map Safely, Securely, & Reliably: Maptive is Powered by Google Maps and Protected with 256-Bit SSL Encryption

Unique Radius Tool Features

• Overlap  multiple radius circles  around a single location marker for deeper analysis.
• Adjust your set distance in real-time  with Maptive’s proximity tool.
• Select a  custom color  for  your radius  to make it easy to find and categorize.
• Identify your locations and add information directly to your map with  custom labels and pop-ups .
• Export the locations within your radius  into a XLS or CSV file.
• Save your data to the cloud  so you and your team can work on your driving radius map whenever, wherever. This is particularly useful for permanent data sets, like the zip codes for your offices or stores or the addresses of your warehouses.
• Group and filter your data  with a single click to add a radius to, or extract information from, all the locations in your preferred parameters.
• Use the Drive Time Polygon Tool to  create travel time and  commute time maps .

 Start Using Better Tools for Location Intelligence Today

Make better decisions backed up by data, save your business time and money, and gain insights at scale. With Maptive’s intuitive Driving Radius Map tool, users can easily visualize their location data and make informed business decisions.

Give your organization a competitive boost with the most complete and easy-to-use Driving Radius Map software available.

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Privacy Overview

Travel time map

Smappen is a map that tells you where you can travel to in a given amount of time or by covering a certain distance.

Depending on the mode of transport you pick, smappen looks at lots of criteria (speed limit on each type of road (city, countryside, highway, etc.), and draws the area that you can reach when travelling the specified distance or time.

These travel-time areas are also called isochrones or catchment areas.

Based on travel times

A driving-radius map tool.

Use smappen to get the right answers.

To choose the best location for your business

smappen provides you with population data on your areas, so that you know which is the best location for your business.

To optimize your logistics (delivery, pricing, technicians, etc.)

Save time and money by providing the best-optimized areas for your deliveries or technicians.

To go and visit friends

Just moved to a new city? Friends all over the country? Find where you can get to in a given travel time.

To target your marketing campaigns

Easily extract zip codes from your areas, for the best-targeted campaigns.

To find your next home or job

Want to move, but don’t want to be too far away from your place of work? smappen shows you the ideal geographic area where you should house-hunt, with a variety of home-to-workplace travel times.

Ready to get started with smappen?

The complete guide about travel time maps

Travel time is an essential element that shapes our daily lives, influencing decisions ranging from our commutes to work, to healthcare accessibility, leisure activities, and urban planning. The ability to understand, calculate, and visualize travel time is a game-changer in modern navigation and decision-making.

Behind the scenes of this crucial concept lies technology and data, working together to create what we call “travel time maps.” These maps are not just colorful representations but tools that empower us to make informed choices about where we go, how we get there, and how long it will take.

In this comprehensive guide, we will embark on a journey to explore the significance of travel time and travel time maps in our fast-paced world. We will delve into the technology that underpins their creation and see how data makes travel time mapping possible. Throughout this exploration, we’ll discover the practical applications of travel time maps and discuss strategies to optimize travel time for a more efficient and enjoyable life. So, let’s navigate the world of travel time and its mapping, enhancing the way we experience the world around us.

Understanding travel time

Travel time is more than just a measure of how long it takes to get from point A to point B. It’s a fundamental concept that profoundly affects our daily routines and decisions. In this section, we will unravel the core concept of travel time and its multifaceted impact on our lives.

At its heart, travel time encapsulates the minutes, hours, and sometimes even seconds that stand between us and our destinations. It governs our commutes to work, school runs, and even the time it takes to enjoy a day out with friends. Understanding travel time is the key to unlocking a more efficient and enjoyable life.

As we delve deeper, we will explore the multitude of factors that influence travel time. Weather, with its unpredictable whims, can either expedite or delay our journeys. Traffic congestion in urban jungles can turn a quick trip into a frustrating ordeal, while our choice of transportation mode can be the difference between a leisurely stroll and a hectic rush.

But what ties all these factors together into a coherent and user-friendly concept? The answer lies in the world of “travel time maps.” These visual representations take complex data on weather, traffic, and transportation modes, and present it in a way that’s easy to comprehend. In the next section, we will unravel the technology and data that make the creation of these maps possible.

Creating travel time maps

Travel time maps are the result of meticulous data integration and advanced GIS technology. These maps require access to a wide array of data sources, including real-time traffic information, location data, and comprehensive transportation networks. This data forms the foundation upon which travel time maps are built.

One of the pivotal elements in this process is GIS technology, such as the one offered by Smappen. Smappen, as an innovative geomarketing solution, plays a significant role in creating travel time maps. It leverages GIS technology to process vast datasets and produce visually intuitive maps that help individuals and businesses make informed decisions.

Creating a travel time map with Smappen can provide valuable insights for location-based decision-making. Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create a travel time map for free using Smappen:

• Go to  smappen.com/app/
• Open the area creation panel on the top left
• Write your starting address
• Select the time
• Choose the means of transport
• Click on “Compute” button

Your first travel time area is created! For more detailed instructions, you can follow  our tutorials . 

Interpreting travel time maps

Understanding how to read and interpret a travel time map is vital in unlocking the wealth of information it offers to individuals, businesses, and decision-makers alike. These maps are designed to provide valuable insights into travel time, allowing for informed choices. Here, we’ll delve into the key aspects of interpreting travel time maps while incorporating relevant SEO keywords.

Color-Coding and Legends: A fundamental element of any travel time map is the color-coding scheme, where different areas are shaded in various colors to represent varying travel times. The intuitive use of colors serves as a visual guide, with darker hues typically signifying longer travel times and lighter shades indicating shorter journeys. Understanding these color patterns is crucial for quick and accurate interpretation of the map, especially when time is of the essence. Additionally, legends are often provided to clarify the specific time intervals associated with different colors, making it easier to gauge travel durations.

Real-World Examples and Decision-Making: The true power of travel time maps becomes evident when we witness them in action in real-world scenarios. These maps are not just abstract data representations; they play a practical role in guiding decisions. For instance, consider a business owner looking to determine the ideal location for a new store. By consulting a travel time map, they can pinpoint areas with shorter travel times to their target demographic, leading to better strategic choices. Similarly, urban planners utilize travel time maps to identify areas with limited transportation accessibility, paving the way for more efficient infrastructure development. These practical examples showcase the indispensable role travel time maps play in enhancing decision-making processes.

User-Friendly Digital Platforms: In the digital age, travel time maps have become more accessible and user-friendly than ever. Many platforms, such as Smappen, offer intuitive interfaces that make map interpretation a breeze. These digital tools allow users to zoom in, pan, and interact with the map, exploring different regions effortlessly. Whether you’re planning your daily commute or seeking the ideal location for a business expansion, the user-friendly nature of digital travel time maps streamlines the process. With a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into travel times, empowering you to make more informed decisions in an ever-changing world.

By grasping the principles of color-coding, legends, and practical applications, you’ll be well-prepared to harness the potential of travel time maps in your daily life or business endeavors. Understanding how to interpret these maps effectively opens the door to better planning, improved decision-making, and optimized efficiency.

Applications and importance

Broad Applications Across Sectors: Travel time maps find relevance in a plethora of sectors, serving as a fundamental resource for informed decision-making. In the realm of transportation, they aid in optimizing routes and schedules for public transit systems, reducing commuter travel time and enhancing the overall transit experience. In healthcare, travel time maps guide medical facilities in identifying areas with limited accessibility, ensuring that critical services are within reach for all members of the community. Furthermore, urban planners employ travel time maps to develop efficient infrastructure and to design cities that are more accessible to all. These maps, enriched with data, play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for residents and commuters alike.

Leveraging Travel Time Maps for Decision-Making: Businesses and individuals stand to gain significant advantages by leveraging travel time maps in their decision-making processes. For businesses, the strategic location of a store, warehouse, or distribution center can be a game-changer in terms of customer reach and operational efficiency. Travel time maps provide valuable insights into the ideal location for maximum accessibility. Individual commuters and travelers, too, can benefit from these maps by planning their daily journeys more efficiently, avoiding congestion, and optimizing their schedules.

Optimizing Efficiency and Accessibility: The value of travel time maps lies in their ability to optimize efficiency and accessibility in everyday life. For businesses, this means maximizing the reach of their services while minimizing operational costs. For individuals, it translates to reduced stress, more time for leisure and productivity, and a higher quality of life. With these maps in hand, individuals can make choices that take into account the time it takes to reach their destinations, ultimately improving the balance between their personal and professional lives.

Optimizing travel time with maps

Efficiently managing your travel time is not just about reaching your destination; it’s about transforming your daily journeys into smoother and more productive experiences. In this section, we will share practical strategies and tips for using travel time maps to your advantage, all while incorporating relevant SEO keywords for enhanced visibility.

Practical Strategies for Efficiency:

Plan Ahead: The cornerstone of optimizing your travel time begins with planning. Use travel time maps to foresee potential bottlenecks, traffic congestion, or delays in your route. By being proactive and considering these factors, you can plan your trips at times that minimize disruptions.

Combine Trips: If you have multiple errands or destinations, strategically combine them to minimize travel time. Travel time maps can help you identify areas where you can complete multiple tasks within a single journey, optimizing your schedule and reducing the overall time spent traveling.

Where can you go by train in 8h?

This map shows you how far you can travel from each station in Europe in less than 8 hours.

Hover your mouse on the map to see the isochrones from that city, search for a station, or click on one of the examples below.

This map is based on estimated travel times, using data from the Deutsche Bahn through Direkt Bahn Guru . Actual timetables may vary.