How this calculator works
Driving time is distance divided by average speed. The average speed must include slow sections, traffic lights, towns and any stops other than the breaks entered separately, so it is usually lower than the posted highway limit. Break time is added after the driving time to give the total journey time. In the distance or speed modes the break field is hidden and the calculator solves the same relation for the missing quantity. The result does not include time zone changes, loading or unloading, or a departure and arrival clock time.
Formula
time = distance / speed. Total time = driving time + break time. Distance = speed x time. Average speed = distance / time. Keep distance and speed in compatible units before dividing.
Worked example
A 300 km drive at an average of 80 km/h takes 3.75 hours, or 3 hours 45 minutes. Adding a 30 minute break gives a total of 4.25 hours. At 90 km/h the same distance takes 3 hours 20 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the break time count as driving?
No. The break is added after the driving time, so the driving time figure stays the time the wheels are moving. The total time is the one to use for planning the journey.
What average speed should I use?
Use a measured average for a similar route, including stops. A motorway trip might average 90 km/h while a mixed city and highway trip might average 60 km/h or less, even where the limit is higher.
Can I enter miles and miles per hour?
Yes. Choose miles for the distance and miles per hour for the speed, or mix units because both inputs are converted to metres and metres per second before the division.
Why is there no arrival time?
The engine has date and time inputs but no combined date-time field, so the page reports durations rather than a clock time. Add the total hours to your departure time yourself, remembering any time zone change.