Road Trip Time Calculator

How long will a road trip take? Distance / speed plus breaks and fuel stops.

Inputs

Result

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General calculation reads

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter trip distance and your typical highway cruising speed.
  • Add up expected total break time (rest stops, meals, fuel).
  • Read total trip time.

About this calculator

A practical trip-time estimator that accounts for the fact that you don't drive non-stop. Standard guidance: 15-minute break every 2-3 hours of driving, plus longer meal stops. For a typical 700-mile day expect 11-12 hours total including stops, averaging ~60 mph overall.

Frequently asked

How much break time should I budget?+
A common rule: 15 min per 2 hours of driving, plus a 30-45 min meal stop. So a 6-hour drive = 45 min breaks. Long days need more.
How fast should my "cruising speed" be?+
Typically 5-10 mph above the speed limit on US highways, capped by fuel-economy concerns above ~75 mph. Use 65-70 mph for most US interstates.
Does weather affect this?+
Yes — rain or snow can drop highway speed by 10-30 mph. Add 30-50% to time estimates in bad weather.
Should I include fuel stops separately?+
Yes — a fuel stop is ~10-15 minutes. Add into break time.
How does GPS routing affect this?+
GPS apps (Google Maps, Waze) account for current traffic and may route you through detours. Cruising speed is for the route they pick.

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