Driving Time Calculator
Find out how long a drive will take: enter the distance, your average speed and how often you stop, and get the driving time, total trip time with breaks and the exact time you will arrive.
Trip plan
How to use the Driving Time Calculator
- Choose units: kilometres (km/h) or miles (mph). Values convert when you switch.
- Enter the distance and average speed. For mixed motorway and town driving, an average of 80–90 km/h (50–55 mph) is realistic.
- Set your breaks: how many hours of driving between stops and how long each stop lasts. Use 0 to skip breaks.
- Pick the departure date and time or press Leave now. For long trips, tick Multi-day trip and set the daily driving limit.
- Press Calculate trip to see arrival time, total time and a step-by-step plan, then copy the summary.
Driving time formula with examples
Driving time = distance ÷ average speed. Total trip time = driving time + (number of breaks × break length) + overnight stops. The number of breaks is the number of times you reach the break interval before arriving: ⌈driving hours ÷ interval⌉ − 1.
- 500 km at 100 km/h = 5 h. With a 15-minute break every 2 h: ⌈5 ÷ 2⌉ − 1 = 2 breaks, so 5 h 30 min in total. Leave at 08:00, arrive at 13:30.
- 300 miles at 60 mph = 5 h. With a 20-minute break every 2 h: 2 breaks, so 5 h 40 min.
- 225 km at 90 km/h = 2.5 h = 2 h 30 min. Convert decimal hours by multiplying the decimal part by 60: 0.5 × 60 = 30 minutes.
Driving time by distance and speed
| Distance | at 60 km/h (37 mph) | at 80 km/h (50 mph) | at 100 km/h (62 mph) | at 120 km/h (75 mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 km (62 mi) | 1 h 40 min | 1 h 15 min | 1 h 00 min | 0 h 50 min |
| 250 km (155 mi) | 4 h 10 min | 3 h 08 min | 2 h 30 min | 2 h 05 min |
| 500 km (311 mi) | 8 h 20 min | 6 h 15 min | 5 h 00 min | 4 h 10 min |
| 800 km (497 mi) | 13 h 20 min | 10 h 00 min | 8 h 00 min | 6 h 40 min |
| 1,000 km (621 mi) | 16 h 40 min | 12 h 30 min | 10 h 00 min | 8 h 20 min |
Times in the table are pure driving time, without breaks.
Planning a safe road trip
- Stop every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes, even if you do not feel tired.
- Limit daily driving: many drivers find 8 hours behind the wheel a sensible maximum for a single day. Professional drivers have legal limits, for example 9 hours a day under EU rules.
- Avoid driving between midnight and 6 a.m. when the body clock makes drowsiness more likely.
- Build in a buffer of 10–15% for traffic, fuel stops and roadworks on busy routes.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate driving time?
Driving time = distance ÷ average speed. For example 500 km at 100 km/h is 5 hours, and 300 miles at 60 mph is also 5 hours. Then add the time for breaks and any overnight stops to get the total trip time.
How many breaks should I take when driving?
Road safety organisations commonly recommend a break of at least 15 minutes every 2 hours of driving. The calculator uses that as its default, and you can change both values.
Why is there no break at the end of the drive?
A break is only added when you still have driving left to do. If the drive ends exactly when a break would be due, you simply arrive, so 4 hours of driving with a break every 2 hours gives one break, not two.
What average speed should I use?
Use a speed that includes traffic, junctions and slower roads. On motorways or interstates many people average 90–110 km/h (55–70 mph), while mixed routes are often 60–80 km/h (40–50 mph). Your sat-nav estimate divided into the distance gives a good average.
Does the arrival time account for time zones?
No. Arrival is shown in the same time zone as your departure time. If you cross into another time zone, add or subtract the difference yourself.
How does the multi-day option work?
Driving stops once you reach your daily limit, then an overnight stop of the length you set is added before you continue. The break counter restarts each morning.