You can create a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer and calculate the time or distance between locations based on parameters such as travel mode, situational traffic, and other variables.
To create a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer, complete the following steps:
- From the map tools, click Analysis
.The analysis tools appear.
- From the Input layer (or features) drop-down menu, choose where to frame the analysis.
You can use your current location or choose a layer in the map and use the selection tools in the pane to select a location or multiple locations manually. Your current location is based on your system settings.
Note:
Guest users can add a maximum of 5 Buffer/Drive time locations from which to frame the analysis. If you are signed in to your ArcGIS account, you can add a maximum of 10 locations.
Note:
If you styled the map using clustering, you cannot select clustered locations on the map. Change the map style and try again.
- From the Analysis type drop-down menu, choose an analysis type.
Tip:
Guest users can use the Ring buffer and Driving time options. If you are signed in to an ArcGIS account, you can use all the travel mode and time options.
- To use a distance-based analysis, choose Ring buffer, Driving distance, Trucking distance, Walking distance, or Rural driving distance. Set the measurement unit using the drop-down menu and change the distance using the text box or arrow buttons.
- To use a time-based analysis, choose Driving time, Trucking time, Walking time, or Rural driving time. Set the measurement unit using the drop-down menu and change the amount of time using the text box or arrow buttons.
- If you selected Driving time, Trucking time, or Rural driving time, make a selection from the Use traffic drop-down menu to include one of the following:
- Do not use traffic—The default setting. Does not use any traffic conditions.
- Use live traffic—Calculate travel time based on current traffic conditions. Use the slider to offset live traffic conditions up to four hours from the current time.
- Traffic based on typical conditions—Set a day of the week
and time of day on which to base traffic calculations. When adding
time, choose an option from the drop-down menu or add a value
manually. Use the 12-hour or 24-hour time clock. The default value
of 12:00
a.m. is used for invalid time values.
The driving speed and length of time is calculated from a combination of historical and live traffic data.
Tip:
This feature is not available to guest users.
- Choose a Travel direction option from the drop-down menu.
You can calculate time and distance toward or away from the selected input features.
This option is available for all analysis types except the Ring buffer option.
Tip:
This feature is not available to guest users.
- If you selected a travel distance or time, from the Buffer style drop-down menu, choose Overlap or Dissolve.
Overlap
Each feature's resulting geometry is represented as a unique feature.
Dissolve
Overlapping geometries are merged into a single feature.
Tip:
This feature is not available to guest users.
- Click Run analysis.
The results are saved as a new layer on the map and the result layer appears in the Layers list.
Note:
A map can only contain one Buffer/Drive time analysis layer at a time. If a Buffer/Drive time analysis layer already exists, you must delete it before you can create a new one.
- To delete the Buffer/Drive time analysis layer, do one of the following:
- In the Drive Time pane, click Remove analysis.
- From the map tools, click Layers
to open the Layers list and click More options > Remove 
next to the Buffer/Drive time analysis layer.
Buffer/Drive time measurement units
The following Buffer/Drive time measurement units are used:
| Measurement | Unit | Guest user maximum | ArcGIS account maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
Distance | Meters | 160,934 |
|
Kilometers | 161 |
| |
Feet | 528,000 |
| |
Miles | 100 |
| |
Time | Minutes | 30 | 45 |