Calculator
Trip Time Calculator
Estimate how long a drive will take.
How is trip time estimated?
Driving time is distance divided by average speed — not your top speed or the posted limit, but the realistic average across the whole trip once you account for traffic, intersections, and slower sections. This calculator adds your planned break time on top of that driving estimate for a more realistic total.
Frequently asked questions
What average speed should I use?
For mostly-highway trips, 55-65mph (89-105km/h) is a reasonable average even if the speed limit is higher, since it accounts for slowdowns. For mixed city/highway routes, average speed drops well below the posted limits due to traffic lights, stop signs, and congestion — often closer to 30-45mph (48-72km/h) overall.
Why include break time separately from driving time?
Driving time alone (distance ÷ speed) only reflects time the wheels are moving. Real trips include stops for fuel, food, and rest, which don't scale with distance the same way driving time does — a 30-minute break adds the same 30 minutes whether the trip is 100 miles (160 km) or 500 (800 km).
How often should I take breaks on a long drive?
A common guideline is a 15-30 minute break every 2-3 hours of driving, both to reduce fatigue-related accident risk and to keep alertness up on longer trips. Night driving or driving through boring, monotonous terrain generally warrants more frequent breaks than that baseline.
Does this account for traffic or weather delays?
No — it's a straight-line estimate based on the average speed you enter. Unexpected traffic, construction, or weather can add significant time beyond this estimate, so for time-sensitive trips it's worth checking real-time traffic conditions closer to departure rather than relying only on this calculation.