What is Drive-Time Analysis?
A method of defining trade areas based on the time it takes to drive to a location rather than fixed distance.
Definition
Drive-time analysis creates trade area boundaries based on how long it takes to drive to a location, accounting for road networks, speed limits, and typical traffic conditions. Unlike simple radius rings (which assume equal access in all directions), drive-time polygons reflect real-world accessibility — a highway interchange makes certain directions more accessible than others. Standard drive-time rings for retail site selection are 5, 10, and 15 minutes, though this varies by concept. A convenience store's primary trade area might be 3-5 minutes, while a destination retailer might draw from 30+ minutes. Drive-time analysis is available through Esri Business Analyst and other GIS platforms. The resulting polygons are used as the basis for demographic analysis, competitive mapping, and traffic evaluation. Drive times can be calculated for different times of day to account for rush hour vs. off-peak conditions.
Example
A 10-minute drive-time polygon around a suburban intersection extends 4 miles along the highway corridor but only 2 miles into the residential neighborhood behind it, reflecting the real access patterns of potential customers.
Related Terms
Learn more about drive-time analysis in practice
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