A strange (or maybe not) question about Google Maps ...

[Dan]

... particularly, trying to get a radius (in all possible directions) for a given amount of driving time.

I'm certainly not a Google-wizard, but it just seems to me like there really should be a way to get Google maps to give you a "travel zone" within a certain amount of driving time.

Anyone know if that's even possible, or any other web-ap that might perform the same function?


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[Adunaic]

Is this what you want?
http://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-can-i-travel.htm

[jpollard]

Not directly.

You can get a view of a given diameter, but that is "as the crow flies" measure. A circle of 60 miles radius would cover (very roughly, one hour driving time) so getting a map 120 miles on a side, centered on your starting point would provide that map. Unfortunately, road conditions (how winding the road is, type of road) wipe that out fairly quickly.

A true "driving time" chart would look like a stretched amoeba. Travel distance varies depending on road - an hour on an interstate could technically be 60 miles, but once you leave the interstate, distance/time changing drastically... And then there are the speed traps (limits of 25mi/hr) that cut that even more.

And then there are the traffic conditions that can make an hour driving time only 3 miles...

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Adunaic

Is this what you want?
http://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-can-i-travel.htm

Perfect! That's pretty much what I was looking for. It's not gonna be terribly accurate, but it gives a good idea.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by jpollard

Not directly.

You can get a view of a given diameter, but that is "as the crow flies" measure. A circle of 60 miles radius would cover (very roughly, one hour driving time) so getting a map 120 miles on a side, centered on your starting point would provide that map. Unfortunately, road conditions (how winding the road is, type of road) wipe that out fairly quickly.

A true "driving time" chart would look like a stretched amoeba. Travel distance varies depending on road - an hour on an interstate could technically be 60 miles, but once you leave the interstate, distance/time changing drastically... And then there are the speed traps (limits of 25mi/hr) that cut that even more.

And then there are the traffic conditions that can make an hour driving time only 3 miles...

Commonly known around here as "The DFW Metroplex."

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