Drive Time Calculator
Find the driving time between any places. Add stops, breaks and traffic, then get your arrival time and a day by day plan with suggested overnight stops.
Your day by day plan
What is a drive time calculator?
A drive time calculator tells you how long it takes to drive from one place to another. It finds the best road route and adds up the time for every road on it.
Most map apps stop there. But real trips have breaks, food stops and nights in a hotel. This driving time calculator adds all of that. You get a true arrival time and a plan for each day.
It even points out where you will be when your driving day ends, so you know which town to look at for a hotel.
Arrival time
Know when you get there, in local time.
Breaks built in
Set how often you rest and for how long.
Day by day plan
See each day as a simple timeline.
Overnight stops
Find the town where each driving day ends.
How to use the driving time calculator
Four steps. Change any setting later and press Calculate again.
- Add your routeType your start and destination. Add stops for places you want to visit.
- Set your timePick when you leave and the most hours you want to drive in a day.
- Tune the tripChoose traffic and pace. Open the extra settings for breaks and time zones.
- CalculateSee arrival time, total trip time and a timeline for every day.
How drive time is calculated
The route gives a base time from road types and speed limits. Then real life gets added on top.
The drive time formula
Driving time = Route time × Traffic × Pace
Trip time = Driving time + Breaks + Stops + Nights
Route time assumes you drive close to the limit with clear roads. Traffic and your own pace make it longer or shorter.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Light traffic | Uses the route time as it is |
| Normal traffic | Adds 10% for towns and slow spots |
| Heavy traffic | Adds 30% for rush hour or holidays |
| Relaxed pace | Adds 12% if you drive below the limit |
| Brisk pace | Takes off 5% for steady highway driving |
| RV or trailer | Adds 25% for lower speeds and hills |
Driving time vs total trip time
These are not the same. Knowing the gap helps you set a real arrival time and avoid rushing.
Driving time
Only the time the wheels are moving. This is what most map apps show.
Breaks and stops
Rest breaks, fuel, food and the places you visit. On a long day, this adds an hour or more.
Nights
On trips longer than one day, the hours you sleep. This is the biggest part of a long road trip.
Popular drive times in the US
Typical driving times with clear roads. Real times change with traffic, weather and stops. Click a route to plan it in the calculator.
| Route | Miles | Driving time | At 8 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| about 270 | about 4 h | 1 day | |
| about 380 | about 6 h | 1 day | |
| about 215 | about 4 h | 1 day | |
| about 240 | about 3.5 h | 1 day | |
| about 790 | about 12 h | 2 days | |
| about 1,280 | about 19 h | 3 days | |
| about 2,790 | about 41 h | 6 days |
Best time to leave for a long drive
When you leave can change your drive time more than the route. Try to miss city rush hours, especially at the start and end of your trip.
Empty roads and cool air. A great time to start a long day.
Morning rush hour in most cities. Slow near big towns.
Smooth driving between rush hours. Good for city exits.
Evening rush hour. Plan to be out of big cities by then.
How many hours can you drive in a day?
There is no single law for car drivers. But tired driving is a real risk. Most safety groups say to rest every two hours and to stop when you feel sleepy.
For most people, six to eight hours of driving a day feels good. Ten hours is a long day. Two drivers who swap can go further.
| Daily driving | How it feels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | Easy | Kids, pets, sightseeing |
| 6 hours | Comfortable | Most vacations |
| 8 hours | Full day | Getting somewhere fast |
| 10 hours | Long and tiring | Two drivers who swap |
Crossing time zones on a road trip
A drive across the US crosses up to four time zones. Your clock jumps one hour each time. Driving west, you gain an hour. Driving east, you lose one.
Set your start and destination time zones in the extra settings. The calculator then shows your arrival in local time where you land.
| US time zone | Example cities | vs Eastern |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | New York, Atlanta, Miami | Same |
| Central | Chicago, Dallas, Houston | 1 hour behind |
| Mountain | Denver, Salt Lake City | 2 hours behind |
| Arizona | Phoenix (no summer time) | 2 or 3 hours behind |
| Pacific | Los Angeles, Seattle | 3 hours behind |
Quick guide: how long to drive 100 to 1,000 miles
No route yet? Use this table for a fast guess. It assumes mostly highway driving at about 60 mph, plus a 15 minute break every two hours.
City driving is slower. In busy areas, plan on 25 to 35 mph instead. For a real number, put your route into the calculator above.
| Distance | Driving time | With breaks |
|---|---|---|
| 100 miles | 1 h 40 min | 1 h 40 min |
| 250 miles | 4 h 10 min | 4 h 40 min |
| 500 miles | 8 h 20 min | 9 h 20 min |
| 750 miles | 12 h 30 min | 2 days at 8 h a day |
| 1,000 miles | 16 h 40 min | 3 days at 8 h a day |
Tips to cut your drive time
Small choices can save an hour or more on a long trip.
Leave early
Start before rush hour and you can be far down the road before traffic builds.
Plan fuel stops
Stop for gas and food at the same time. Two jobs, one stop.
Pack the night before
A loaded car means you can leave the minute you wake up.
Check road works
Look at your state's road site for closures before you go.
Share the wheel
Swap drivers at each break. You stay fresh and keep moving.
Book hotels ahead
Use the overnight towns from your plan to book rooms early.
Who uses a drive time calculator?
Anyone who needs to know when they will get there.
Road trippers
Plan how far to go each day and where to sleep.
Families
Add more breaks for kids and pets so the trip stays calm.
Movers
Plan a long move with a truck or trailer using the RV pace.
Commuters
See how traffic changes your drive to work.
Event goers
Work out when to leave to arrive on time for a game, show or wedding.
Business travelers
Plan site visits and client meetings with many stops.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about drive time, arrival time and planning long drives.
How do I calculate drive time between two cities?
Enter both cities and press Calculate. The tool finds the best road route and shows the driving time, plus your arrival time with breaks.
How do I calculate arrival time with stops?
Add each stop to your route and set the time you spend at each one. The calculator adds stop time and breaks to give your real arrival time.
Does it include traffic?
It uses a traffic setting, not live traffic. Pick light, normal or heavy based on when and where you drive.
How are overnight stops chosen?
When you reach your daily driving limit, the tool marks that point on the route and finds the nearest town. Use it as a guide for booking a hotel.
How long does it take to drive 500 miles?
About 8 to 9 hours of driving on highways. With normal breaks, plan on 9 to 10 hours in total.
How long does it take to drive across the US?
About 41 hours of driving from New York to Los Angeles. At 8 hours a day, most people take 5 to 6 days.
Can I use it outside the US?
Yes. The route and drive time work worldwide. Set your time zones in the extra settings.
Why is my arrival later than the map app shows?
Map apps show driving time only. This tool also adds breaks, time at stops and nights, so the arrival is later but more real.
Is the drive time calculator free?
Yes. It is free with no sign up. Plan as many trips as you like.
What will the drive cost?
Add gas, tolls and cost per person to your road trip plan.