Sep 24, 2021 • Blog

How to Use a Radius Map Tool: Google Alternative

facebook iconx icon

Contents

Recently, many free tool providers that offered radius map tools have had to limit their services due to pricing.

If you’re looking for a free circle tool alternative, try the Radius Map Tool.

Radius Map Tool

You can use this tool to draw a circle around a point. The example below shows a radius of 10 miles from the centre of London.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

A radius of 10 miles from the centre of London

How do I draw a radius map?

Step 1 - Open the radius map tool

Step 2 - Select a distance

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Step 3 - Select miles or kilometers

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Step 4 - Enter a starting location

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Step 5 - Click ‘GO’

go-button

Below is a radius of 20 miles from the centre of Ca’ Tiepolo, Italy.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Postcode

In addition to locations and areas, you can also enter an exact postcode. The example below shows a radius of 15 miles from London postcode, EC1V 2NZ.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Compare travel times

The distance radius map also allows you to compare the distance to travel time.

Click ‘view reachable area by public transport’

public-transport-button

The result will show you the radius map and areas reachable by public transport layered on top.  The area calculated assumes the person sets off at 9am and can travel from the starting point to the end point using real routes, not in a straight line. The search assumes the user departs at exactly 9am and must arrive at their destination within the time limit. They must walk to the public transport mode, wait for it, board, travel and reach the destination.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

The radius map tool matches the drive time area based on the closest match to the requested radius. For public transport, the suggested travel time is 85 minutes. However, this could be amended.

The below map shows the travel time changed to 60 minutes.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

On the right-hand side of the page, there is an analysis of the comparison.

radius-map-travel-time

Looking at the analysis we can see that 70% of the radius is not reachable within 60 minutes. This means that many of the areas included in the radius would take too long to reach.

We can also see that 3% of areas that are reachable within 60 minutes travel time, fall outside of the radius. This means that searching by radius means you will miss these opportunities.

Filter

You can also use the right hand side of the page to filter

radius-travel-time

Clicking the eye will hide the radius.

radius-travel-time

 

 

 

Leaving the other map on display.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

Driving

Once you have viewed the travel time by public transport, you can click ‘view reachable area by driving’ to load the driving results.

radius-map-tool-google-alternative

For driving, the closest match to the requested radius is 65 minutes. We can see that 31% of the radius is not reachable within 65 minutes drive time. 30% of the drive time also falls outside the radius.

Using a radius means that some areas are shown that are not relevant. Other opportunities are missed because they fall outside the radius shape.

DRAW FREE TRAVEL TIME MAPS

To create your own radius map try the TravelTime Radius Map Tool. You can also create your own create your own travel time Map using public transport, driving, walking or cycling.

facebook iconx icon

Contents

Calculate thousands of travel times with the TravelTime API

Discover more
cta accent icon