Where2Meet FAQ – Fair Meeting Locations Explained
Everything you need to know about finding fair meeting spots with travel time comparison
Differentiation
What makes Where2Meet different from other meeting planners?
Where2Meet focuses on fairness, not just finding a midpoint. We calculate actual travel times for each participant and optimize for balanced commutes—so no one person bears an unfair travel burden. Other tools show geographic distance; we show real-world fairness.
Does Where2Meet calculate fairness or just distance?
Where2Meet optimizes for travel time fairness, not just distance. We use real routing data to compare how long it takes each person to reach a location, then find spots where everyone's commute is balanced. Distance doesn't account for traffic, transit routes, or road networks—time does.
Why is travel time better than distance when choosing a meeting point?
Travel time reflects the actual burden of getting somewhere. A location might be 5 miles from two people, but one person could reach it in 10 minutes by highway while the other needs 30 minutes through side streets. Travel time accounts for transportation mode, traffic, route complexity, and real-world commute experience.
How does Where2Meet ensure everyone travels fairly?
Our algorithm finds meeting locations where the difference in travel times between participants is minimized. We prioritize locations where everyone's commute is roughly equal, rather than optimizing for the shortest total distance. You can see each person's travel time on the map and vote on the fairest option together.
How is Where2Meet.com different from where2meet.net?
Where2Meet.com (this site) optimizes for travel time fairness by calculating real commute times and balancing everyone's travel burden. Where2meet.net uses geographic midpoint calculation based on straight-line distance. The key difference: we show you actual travel times (accounting for traffic, roads, and transit), while midpoint tools only consider distance. A geographic midpoint can be unfair if one person has highway access and another doesn't—travel time reveals the real story.
Why not just use Google Maps to find a meeting point?
Google Maps is excellent for point-to-point navigation, but it doesn't optimize for fairness across multiple starting locations. To find a fair meeting spot manually, you'd need to: (1) guess potential meeting locations, (2) check each participant's route to every location, (3) compare travel times across dozens of combinations, and (4) coordinate feedback in a group chat. Where2Meet automates all of this—showing you side-by-side travel time comparisons in under 2 minutes, with an interactive map where everyone can vote on the fairest option.
Product Mechanics
How does Where2Meet calculate the meeting location?
Where2Meet uses real routing APIs to calculate travel times from each participant's location to potential meeting spots. Our algorithm then finds locations that minimize total travel time while balancing commutes across all participants. We consider multiple transportation modes (driving, public transit, walking) and show you the results on an interactive map.
Does Where2Meet use real travel times?
Yes. Where2Meet queries real routing data to get accurate travel times based on current road networks, transit schedules, and traffic patterns. We don't estimate based on straight-line distance—we use the same data that powers navigation apps.
Which transportation modes are supported?
Where2Meet supports driving, public transit, and walking. You can choose the most relevant mode for your group when planning. This ensures the travel time calculations reflect how people will actually get to the meeting spot.
Can I see travel times for each participant?
Yes. The interactive map shows each participant's location, their route to potential venues, and their estimated travel time. This transparency helps your group make informed decisions about which location is truly fairest.
Use Cases
Is Where2Meet good for group meetups with friends?
Absolutely. Where2Meet is perfect for finding restaurants, cafés, parks, or entertainment venues that are fair for everyone in your friend group. No more "let's just meet at my place"—find a spot that respects everyone's time.
Can remote teams use Where2Meet?
Yes. Remote teams use Where2Meet to plan offsites, workshops, and team gatherings where members are spread across different cities or neighborhoods. Find a central location that's fair for everyone, whether it's a coworking space, hotel, or event venue.
Is Where2Meet useful for people in different cities?
Yes. Where2Meet works great for cross-city meetups. If your group spans multiple cities, we'll find a location—often in a central city or along a common route—that balances travel times for everyone.
Can I plan a meeting without knowing exact addresses?
You can use general locations (like neighborhoods or landmarks) as starting points, but exact addresses provide the most accurate travel time calculations. We recommend having participants enter their actual starting locations for the best results.
Practical Questions
Is Where2Meet free to use?
Yes, Where2Meet is free to use. You can create meetings, add unlimited participants, view the map, and vote on venues without any cost.
Do I need to create an account to use Where2Meet?
No! You can start planning your meeting immediately without signing up. Simply enter your event details and begin adding participants. No account, no registration, no barriers—just instant planning. Organizers can optionally create an account later to manage multiple events and claim ownership.
Do participants need an account?
No. Participants can join a meeting by simply clicking a shared link—no account required. They can add their location, view the map, and vote on venues without signing up. Organizers can optionally create an account to manage multiple events.
Can I share a meeting link with others?
Yes. Every meeting has a unique shareable link. Send it to participants via text, email, or messaging apps. Anyone with the link can join, add their location, and participate in venue voting.
Are my locations private?
Locations are only visible to people with the meeting link. Your location data is not shared publicly or sold to third parties. Only participants in your specific meeting can see where everyone is starting from.
Still Have Questions?
Check out how Where2Meet works or contact us.
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