Contents
This post dives into the features of the Google Distance Matrix API and the TravelTime API.
We will break down the differences between Google’s Distance Matrix API and the TravelTime API, covering their matrix functionality, map services, and support. And we’ll show you why the TravelTime API is the best alternative to Google’s Distance Matrix API for calculating travel times and distances between locations.
If you want to compare prices and API limits from multiple providers, check out this post. It compares TravelTime to Google, Mapbox, Here, Graphhopper, and more, highlighting TravelTime as the first API not to charge on monthly API usage.
Why calculate travel times and distances?
Calculating journey times and distances is important in online location-based search, route optimisation, and location analysis.
For example, users of an online marketplace – job portal, property portal, store finders etc. – can understand the real-world proximity of locations to make better decisions and increase your conversion rates.
Real estate organisations, for example, can analyse the proximity of a new site to key points of interest.
While delivery companies, for example, can optimise their fleet with more accurate routing calculations.
All of this is made possible with a distance matrix.
How does the Google Distance Matrix API work?
The Google Distance Matrix API calculates travel distances and times between origins and destinations.
Conducting a search from a single origin to multiple destinations is called a query. Within that query are multiple origin-destination pairs. These are the number of searches between the point of origin and multiple destination points.
Each one of these pairs is called an element. So, if there is a single start point and 10 destinations, this equates to 10 origin-destination pairs, or elements.
This is important because it relates directly to how Google Distance Matrix API is priced.
How much does the Google Distance Matrix API cost?
Google uses a pay-as-you-go model for its Distance Matrix API. The API is priced per element and differs based on whether you are using a Basic or Advanced request.
The table below shows pricing for a Basic request for the Google Distance Matrix API.
| Monthly Volume Range (Price per Element) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 100,000 | 100,001 - 500,000 | 500,000 + |
| 0.005 USD per each ($5 per 1000) |
0.004 USD per each ($4 per 1000) |
Unavailable |
What is the best alternative to the Google Distance Matrix API?
The Travel Time Matrix API is the best alternative to the Google Distance Matrix API.
With the Travel Time Matrix API, you can calculate travel times between thousands of origins and destinations simultaneously, for any mode of transport – including driving, public transport, cycling and walking.
TravelTime is also more cost-effective than the Google Distance Matrix API. Instead of charging per transaction, for one fixed monthly cost you can make unlimited requests. It’s significantly more scalable when you need thousands or millions of calculations.
What are the main differences between the Google Distance Matrix API and TravelTime API?
There are a number of differences between the two offers from Google and TravelTime across pricing, data, transport modes, performance, and more.
| Google Distance Matrix API | TravelTime API | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go pricing model, based on usage. | Unlimited usage, fixed monthly price |
| Volumes per request | Can calculate up to 25 origins or 25 destinations in 1 request. |
Matrix limits vary depending on which endpoint you select Time Filter max matrix: 10 x 2,000 Time Filter Fast max matrix: 10 x 100,000 Time Filter Fast (Protobuf): 1 x 200,000 |
| Drive time data | Calculates driving speeds for any time of the day, with average, optimistic, and pessimistic traffic models. | Calculates driving speeds for any time of the day, with average, optimistic, and pessimistic traffic models. |
| Available transport modes |
Public transport (choose any specific transport modes, or select all
modes) Driving Walking Cycling |
Public transport (choose any specific transport modes, or select all
modes) Cycling Driving Driving + Train (in Great Britain only) Walking Driving + Ferry Cycling + Ferry Cycling + Public transport (In the Netherlands only) |
| Isochrones (visualising travel times on a map) | No dedicated function to create isochrones | Create isochrones and catchment areas for any mode of transport |
| Geocoding | Priced separately via the Geocoding API | Geocoding included free |
| Routing | Priced separately with the Google Directions API | Routing included free |
| Map tiles | Available through a separate API | Map tiles included free |
| Data privacy | Stores user data | Does not store user data |
To create a distance matrix with TravelTime, you need a TravelTime API key. Submit a single POST request with parameters like transportation type, departure or arrival time, and travel time. Discover our tutorial here.
Multiple searches can be included to cover up to 2,000 locations per request. Test out the API in our Matrix Developer Playground for free.
What can the TravelTime API be used for?
Location-based search
Use the TravelTime API to filter, rank, and list location search results by travel time on your website or app. It ensures that the most relevant search results are at the top of the page, boosts personalisation, and drives quality clicks that convert.
It is used in recruitment and job portals like Stepstone (Totaljobs and Jobsite), property websites like Zoopla, and more.
Discover more customer stories here.
Location intelligence and site analysis
TravelTime delivers more accurate location intelligence to users, allowing you to understand the real-world proximity of locations to each other and to key points of interest.
Ideal for office relocation or retail site selection, the API integrates with GIS software including ArcGIS, QGIS, and Alteryx.
Route optimisation
TravelTime can be used to improve the routing of workforces and vehicle fleets by delivering instant insights into travel times and transport modes rather than distance alone.
We are uniquely positioned to deliver insights for this use case. With Google, routing is priced separately with the Google Directions API.
What else can TravelTime API do?
TravelTime supports over 200 countries and territories, with public transport data available for the majority. For these countries, the API supports building distance matrices, as well as creating isochrones and more efficient routing engines.
Comparing Google and TravelTime Map Services
Isochrone API
Isochrones visualise all reachable locations within a time limit by transport mode.
TravelTime creates high-resolution isochrones for various transport modes, with customisable parameters, while Google does not support isochrone creation.
Routing
TravelTime includes routing in the API plan, supporting all transport modes. However, Google requires the separate Directions API for routing.
Geocoding and Map Tiles
TravelTime also includes free unlimited access to geocoding and map tiles as part of our unlimited plan. Google requires separate APIs for geocoding and map tiles.
Google Distance Matrix API vs. TravelTime Pricing
TravelTime is the first API to not charge on monthly usage. Instead, TravelTime offers unlimited usage of all API endpoints for a single fixed price. This makes TravelTime more cost-effective, without ever compromising on performance.
Google, however, charges on usage. This means that you are charged for every element, so when calculating lots of origins to destinations, Google can be expensive and often unaffordable.
Read our detailed Distance Matrix API pricing comparison here.
TravelTime Customer Testimonials
Comprehensive Transport Data: "TravelTime was the most reliable and had the broadest transport data." - Hugo Michalski, Co-Founder and CTO, Side.
Layering Travel Time Data: "Great for analysing data alongside other datasets like census or population data." - Tim Hirst, Data Scientist, SEGRO.
Better User Experience: "TravelTime enriched our user experience and increased conversions by 10%." - Chris Burles, Director of Product Management, The Stepstone Group.
Pricing: “We now see results returned 4X faster from the TravelTime API than when we were using the Google API, which provides a vastly improved user experience for our customers when they use the product.” - Jonathan Beckman, Head of Product, Vertis
Reliable and Fast: "Easy to use, reliable, and fast." - Leo Lapworth, Web Operations Director, Foxtons.
TravelTime: A Scalable and Cost-Effective Alternative to the Google Distance Matrix API
Both Google and TravelTime APIs calculate travel times and distances between locations using different transport modes.
However, TravelTime is more cost-effective for large matrices and offers comprehensive transport data. It also includes additional functionalities like isochrones, routing, geocoding, and map tiles without separate charges.
The TravelTime API offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to the Google Distance Matrix API that never lets you down.
To learn more about the TravelTime API, check out our documentation where you can also sign-up for a free API key. Or chat to us about your needs.