A drive time map is a geographic boundary that represents the areas reachable by car within a specific number of minutes from a chosen location. Unlike radius maps, drive time maps account for real road networks, traffic patterns and physical barriers. They provide a more accurate representation of customer travel behavior.
Drive time maps are widely used in franchising because they create realistic and fair territory boundaries.
Drive time territories are considered one of the most accurate ways to model real world customer access. They:
reflect actual travel routes
account for speed limits and traffic flow
avoid unreachable areas such as lakes or restricted zones
create more balanced population counts
support fair and consistent territory design
Developed Franchisors often utilize drive time in performing territory analysis and in defining boundaries in Item 12 because they can provide clearer market expectations for buyers. Considering time is key when analyzing drive time.
Drive time mapping is used to:
build precise franchise territories
model customer access patterns
identify underserved areas
plan multi unit development strategies
evaluate market potential during franchise sales
compare territories across varying environments
Drive time analysis is especially valuable in cities with complex road networks.
Drive time maps offer several advantages over radius boundaries:
more accurate territory shape
better population alignment
fewer unusable areas
stronger competitive separation
fairer distribution across urban and rural markets
This is why many franchisors switch from radius to drive time as they grow.
Radius Map
Isochrone
Census Tract
Franchise Territory
Franchise Territory Mapping
Demographic Analysis
Reporting
Isochrone Maps Explained: A Practical Guide to Travel-Time Catchments
Franchise Territory Mapping: The Backbone of Scalable Growth
Last updated: November 25, 2025
