Understanding Montgomery's geography
Why Montgomery's drive times defy radius math.
I-65 runs north-south through the western edge of the city, while I-85 angles northeast, creating a wedge that funnels growth toward Prattville to the north and Pike Road to the east. The Alabama River and its wide floodplain effectively eliminate west Montgomery from most franchise trade areas, concentrating viable sites on the eastern half of the metro.
The Taylor Road/Carmichael Road node near Eastchase Parkway anchors the highest-income households in the metro and should be the primary focus for full-service concepts. Maxwell Air Force Base occupies a large central footprint that displaces civilian residential density and distorts isochrones in the northwest quadrant.