Distance Calculator
Find the distance between two places in seconds. See driving distance, straight line distance, travel time and fuel cost on one simple screen.
Driving distance
Estimated travel time
- By car-
- By plane-
- By train-
- By bike-
- On foot-
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What is a distance calculator?
A distance calculator tells you how far one place is from another. Type two places. Get the answer in seconds.
This travel distance calculator gives you two answers. The driving distance follows real roads. The straight line distance is the shortest path over the earth. People also call it the distance as the crow flies.
Both numbers show on a live map. You also get travel time and a fuel cost estimate. It works for places in the same town or on different continents.
City to city
Check the distance between two cities in any country.
Address to address
Type full street addresses for door to door mileage.
Zip code to zip code
Enter a zip code or postcode. Add the country for a clear match.
Coordinates
Paste latitude and longitude, like 40.7128, -74.0060.
Airport to airport
Pick Straight line to use it as a flight distance calculator.
Port to port
Switch to nautical miles for a quick sea distance check.
How to use the distance calculator
It takes less than a minute. Follow these five steps.
- Enter your start pointType a city, address, zip code or coordinates in the From box. Pick the right match from the list. Or tap the target icon to use your location.
- Enter your end pointType your destination in the To box. Pick it from the list so the tool knows the exact spot.
- Pick the typeChoose Driving for road distance. Choose Straight line for air distance.
- Choose your unitsPick kilometers, miles or nautical miles. Switch any time and the result updates.
- Press CalculateThe map draws your route. Distance, travel time and fuel cost appear below it.
Driving distance vs straight line distance
These two numbers are almost never the same. Roads bend around hills, rivers and cities. A straight line does not. So the road trip is nearly always longer.
Driving distance calculator
Measures the best road route between your two places.
- Use it for road trips and daily commutes.
- Use it to plan fuel stops and fuel cost.
- Use it to guess real driving time.
- Works only when a road links both places.
Straight line distance calculator
Measures the shortest path over the earth. Pilots call it the great circle distance.
- Use it for flight distance and air miles.
- Use it to see how far apart two cities are.
- Works across seas and borders.
- Always gives the smallest number.
How much longer the driving distance usually is than the straight line. In mountains or near big lakes, the gap can be much bigger.
A driving time and distance calculator in one
One search gives you the full picture of your trip. Here is what the result card shows.
Road distance
The real driving distance from open map road data. The route is drawn on the map.
Air distance
The straight line distance between both points. Great for checking flight distance.
Travel time
Time by car, plane, train, bike and on foot. Car time comes from the actual route.
Fuel cost
Add your fuel use and fuel price. The tool works out what the drive will cost.
Direction
The compass direction from start to end, like North East, with the exact degree.
Midpoint
The halfway point between both places. Handy when you want to meet in the middle.
Kilometers, miles and nautical miles
Most countries use kilometers. The United States and the United Kingdom use miles on road signs. Ships and planes use nautical miles.
Switch between all three with one tap. The whole result card updates right away.
| Unit | Equal to | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kilometer | 0.621 mi or 0.540 nm | Most countries, road maps |
| 1 mile | 1.609 km or 0.869 nm | USA, UK road travel |
| 1 nautical mile | 1.852 km or 1.151 mi | Pilots, sailors, sea charts |
How we work out the distance
Behind the map, three things happen each time you press Calculate.
Find the coordinates
Every place on earth has a latitude and a longitude. The tool turns your city, address or zip code into these two numbers. You can also type them in yourself, so it works as a coordinate distance calculator too.
Measure the great circle
The earth is round, so a flat line is not the true shortest path. We use the haversine formula, which follows the curve of the earth. This makes it a proper great circle distance calculator.
Trace the road route
For driving, the tool asks a routing service to find the best road path. It reads real road data from OpenStreetMap. Then it adds up every road on that route.
Good to know. Road data changes over time. New roads open and old ones close. Traffic, road works and weather can change your real trip. Treat every result as a smart estimate and check local conditions before you leave.
How travel time is estimated
Car time comes straight from the road route. For other ways to travel, we use typical average speeds. Your real time may be faster or slower.
| Way to travel | Speed used | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Real route time | Road type and limits |
| Plane | 800 km/h (497 mph) + 30 min | Straight line distance |
| Train | 90 km/h (56 mph) | Driving distance |
| Bike | 16 km/h (10 mph) | Driving distance |
| Walking | 5 km/h (3.1 mph) | Driving distance |
Popular distances between cities
Common routes people check. These are rounded straight line distances. Click a route to load it in the tool.
| Route | Kilometers | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| about 3,940 km | about 2,445 mi | |
| about 1,145 km | about 711 mi | |
| about 344 km | about 214 mi | |
| about 5,470 km | about 3,400 mi | |
| about 713 km | about 443 mi | |
| about 1,030 km | about 640 mi |
When a distance calculator map helps
People use this map distance calculator for all kinds of plans. These are the most common.
Road trips
See how far you drive each day. Plan stops for food, fuel and sleep. Split a long drive into short, safe parts.
Flight planning
Check the flight distance between two cities. It helps you guess flight time and compare air miles.
Fuel budget
Know your fuel cost before you start. Enter your car's fuel use and local fuel price.
Long distance moving
Movers often charge by mileage. Check the road distance first so you can compare quotes fairly.
Work and delivery
Work out mileage for expense claims. See how far each drop is from your base.
Boat trips
Use nautical miles and Straight line mode for a rough port to port distance. Real sea routes are longer.
Tips for the most accurate result
Small details make a big difference. Keep these in mind.
- Always pick a place from the dropdown list. This makes sure the tool uses the exact spot you mean.
- Add the state or country for common names. "Springfield, Illinois" removes any doubt.
- Use a full street address for door to door distance. A city name points to the city center only.
- Add the country after a zip code. Many countries share the same number codes.
- Pick Straight line when no road links two places, like across an ocean.
- Update the fuel price to your local rate. It matters a lot on long trips.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about the distance calculator. Still stuck? Try a different spelling or add the country name.
Is this distance calculator free?
Yes. It is free to use. There is no sign up and no limit on how many routes you check.
How accurate is the distance?
The straight line distance is very accurate because it uses the haversine formula. The driving distance depends on road data, so it is a close estimate.
What does "as the crow flies" mean?
It means the straight line distance between two places. It is the path a bird would take if it flew directly from one point to the other.
Can I use zip codes?
Yes. Type a zip code or postcode in each box. Add the country name, like "10001, USA", for the best match.
Can I find the distance between two coordinates?
Yes. Type latitude and longitude separated by a comma, like 51.5074, -0.1278. The tool uses those exact points.
Why is driving distance longer than flight distance?
Roads go around mountains, rivers and buildings. A plane flies a much more direct line.
Can I measure sea distance?
You can get a rough sea distance. Pick Straight line and nautical miles. Real shipping routes go around land, so they are longer.
Why can I not get a driving route?
Some places have no road between them, like cities on different continents. Switch to Straight line to see the air distance.
How do I share my result?
Press Copy share link after you calculate. Anyone who opens that link sees the same route.
Planning your next trip?
Check your distance, then pack smart with our travel guides and gear picks.