An isochrone is a geographic boundary created by mapping all the areas that can be reached from a central point within a specific travel time. Isochrones are similar to drive time maps but often use more detailed calculations, including speed limits, traffic flow, elevation, road hierarchy and real movement patterns.
Isochrones offer a precise way to visualize accessibility and customer reach based on time rather than distance. They provide more accuracy than simple radius mapping and are widely used in market analysis, logistics, transportation planning and franchise territory design.
Isochrones help franchisors understand exactly how customers travel through a market. They offer:
highly accurate territory boundaries
realistic customer reach estimates
consistent market comparisons across dense and rural regions
precise population counts
improved fairness between franchisees
better predictive modeling for sales and service demand
Isochrones support stronger Item 12 disclosures and reduce disputes over territory fairness.
Franchisors use isochrones to:
build territories based on actual travel time
analyze how far customers can reach a location
identify gaps in market coverage
compare territories across different markets
evaluate potential sites
model customer behavior during franchise development
Isochrones are often layered with demographic data, competitor locations and POI density to support expansion planning.
Isochrones provide:
more accurate travel modeling
realistic geographic boundaries
fewer unusable areas
equity between urban and suburban markets
improved demographic consistency
A five mile radius could be a ten minute trip in one market and a thirty minute trip in another. Isochrones eliminate this inconsistency.
Drive Time Map
Radius Map
Census Tract
Franchise Territory
Franchise Territory Mapping
Demographic Analysis
Reporting
Isochrone Maps Explained: A Practical Guide to Travel-Time Catchments
Last updated: November 25, 2025
