Mileage Calculator
Calculate Travel Distance & Time - Trip Planner & Distance Estimator Tool
🛣️ Pro Tips for Mileage & Trip Planning:
Formula: Time = Distance ÷ Average Speed. Typical US highway average: 60-70 mph. Add 20-30% buffer for rest stops, fuel, meals. City-to-city distances: straight-line estimates. Actual road distances 5-15% longer. GPS/mapping apps provide specific route distances. Use calculator for rough planning, GPS for detailed routing.
Calculate Distance Between Cities
✅ Distance Calculation Results:
Calculate Driving Time
✅ Driving Time Results:
Convert Between Distance Units
✅ Distance Conversion Results:
Distance & Travel Reference
Unit Conversions:
| From | To | Multiply By | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles | Kilometers | 1.60934 | 100 mi = 160.9 km |
| Kilometers | Miles | 0.621371 | 100 km = 62.1 mi |
| Miles | Feet | 5,280 | 1 mi = 5,280 ft |
| Kilometers | Meters | 1,000 | 1 km = 1,000 m |
| Nautical Miles | Miles | 1.15078 | 1 nm = 1.15 mi |
Common Trip Distances (US):
| Route | Distance (miles) | Driving Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Boston | 215 | 3.5-4 hours | Northeast corridor |
| Los Angeles to San Francisco | 383 | 5.5-6 hours | California coast |
| Chicago to St. Louis | 297 | 4.5 hours | Midwest |
| Miami to Atlanta | 661 | 10 hours | Southeast |
| Dallas to Houston | 239 | 3.5-4 hours | Texas |
🚗 Trip Planning & Mileage Estimation Guide
Understanding Mileage Calculations:
Mileage: distance traveled by vehicle. Used for: trip planning, fuel cost estimation, route comparison, vehicle maintenance scheduling. Accuracy varies: straight-line vs. actual driving routes. City-to-city estimates: convenient, less accurate. GPS/mapping: specific routes, more accurate. Calculator useful baseline for planning.
Factors Affecting Actual Trip Distance:- Route Choice: Highway vs. scenic route. Interstate vs. local roads. Toll roads vs. free. Different routes = different distances.
- Road Network: Direct routes unavailable. Highway patterns determine actual distance. Urban areas: longer routes due to grid layout.
- Construction/Closures: Detours add distance. Road work affects routing. Check current conditions before trip.
- Time of Day: Rush hour: alternative routes. Off-peak: more direct routing. Traffic affects practical route choices.
- Average Speed: 60-70 mph highways typical. 30-40 mph cities. Mixed: 50-60 mph. Weather: reduce 10-20%. Rush hour: significantly slower.
- Rest Breaks: Add fuel stops (20-30 min), meals (30-60 min), rest periods. Safety: break every 2 hours. Long trips: overnight stays.
- Total Time: Calculated time + stops ≈ actual trip time. 8-hour drive: realistically 10-11 hours with breaks. Plan accordingly.
- Seasonal Factors: Winter: slower driving (snow/ice). Summer: faster. Construction season: spring/summer delays. Holiday traffic: major factor.
- Pre-Trip Preparation: Use GPS/mapping for specific routes. Check weather forecast. Verify fuel availability. Plan rest stops.
- Route Comparison: Use multiple route options (GPS apps). Compare time vs. distance vs. tolls. Choose based on preferences.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Before long trips: check tires, fluids, brakes. Proper maintenance improves fuel economy and reliability.
- Buffer Time: Add 20-30% to estimated time. Accounts for unexpected delays, rest needs, bathroom breaks. Safe practice.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is straight-line distance vs. road distance?
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Straight-line: shortest possible distance, not driveable. Road distance: actual driving route, typically 5-15% longer. Example: 100 miles straight-line ≈ 110-115 actual driving. Varies by region: flat terrain closer to straight-line, mountainous areas further. GPS apps provide actual route distances, most accurate for trip planning.
What's the best average speed to use for calculations?
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Depends on route. Interstate highway: 65-70 mph realistic. US highways: 55-65 mph. City/local roads: 30-40 mph. Mixed routes: 50-60 mph. Conservative estimate: 55 mph (accounts for slower areas). Weather/conditions: reduce speed. Summer vs. winter significant difference. Use lower speed if unfamiliar with route.
How much time should I add for rest stops?
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Rule of thumb: 20-30% additional time. Fuel stops: 20-30 minutes. Meal: 30-60 minutes. Rest/bathroom: 15-30 minutes. Long drives (8+ hours): add 1+ hour for multiple breaks. Safety: break every 2 hours. 4-hour drive: realistic 5-6 hours total. Plan rest stops into trip schedule.
How do I calculate fuel costs from distance?
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Formula: Cost = (Distance ÷ MPG) × Price per gallon. Example: 300 miles ÷ 25 MPG × $3.50 = $42. Factors: vehicle efficiency varies, fuel prices fluctuate, driving conditions affect MPG. Highway: better economy. City: worse economy. Maintenance: proper tire pressure improves efficiency.
Should I use highway or local roads?
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Long trips: highways generally faster (fewer stops, higher speeds). Local roads: scenic but slower. Fuel efficient: highways better (steady speed). Cost: consider tolls (some highways charge). Time vs. cost tradeoff: highways faster, possibly more expensive. Use GPS for comparison: often shows multiple route options with times/distances.
How does weather affect driving time?
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Rain: add 10-20% time (reduced visibility, slippery roads). Snow: add 20-50% time (dangerous, slow speeds). Fog: significant slowdown (visibility critical). Ice: extreme caution (speeds reduced drastically). Wind: minimal impact except high winds (trucks affected). Check forecast before trips. Adjust speed accordingly. Winter trips: significantly longer.
What time of day is best for road trips?
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Early morning: less traffic, fresher drivers. Rush hour (7-9am, 4-6pm): avoid if possible (slowest). Midday: moderate traffic. Evening: traffic lessens. Night: fewer vehicles but driver fatigue risk. Weekends: avoid Sunday afternoons (holiday traffic). Plan departure accordingly. Avoid rush hours, holidays for faster travel.