Distance Between Cities Calculator

Calculate accurate distances and travel times between any cities worldwide

Travel Advisory: This tool provides distance estimates only. Always check current travel advisories, road conditions, and border restrictions before planning your journey. Travel times may vary based on traffic, weather conditions, and other factors.

Tip: For the most accurate results, type the full city name and select from the dropdown suggestions.

Travel Options

Waypoints

Smart Travel: Understanding Distance Calculations

Distance Types Explained

  • Direct (As-the-crow-flies): Shortest straight-line distance
  • Driving Distance: Actual road distance following routes
  • Walking/Cycling: Follows pedestrian/bike-friendly paths

Factors Affecting Travel Time

  • Traffic conditions can increase travel time by 25-45%
  • Weather factors may add 10-30% to estimated times
  • Border crossings typically add 15-90 minutes per crossing

"Our distance calculations are based on up-to-date mapping data and real-world route optimizations, helping travelers save an average of 12% on fuel costs through better route planning."

Transportation Options Comparison

Driving

Car travel offers the most flexibility but can be affected by traffic, construction, and rest stops. Our calculator factors in average speeds of 55-70 mph on highways and 25-35 mph in urban areas, with adjustments for traffic patterns.

Flying

Air travel is calculated using great-circle distance plus an average of 1.5 hours for airport procedures. For distances under 300 miles, driving is often faster when considering airport commute and security times.

Public Transit

Our transit calculations include average waiting times between connections and utilize real-world transit schedules where available. Transit is often 1.5-2x longer than driving but can be more efficient in major metropolitan areas.

Pro Tip: For trips between 100-500 miles, compare multiple transportation modes. The "fastest" option often depends on departure time, day of week, and seasonal factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this distance calculator?

Our calculator achieves 98% accuracy for driving distances by using real-road networks rather than straight-line measurements. For flying distances, we calculate the great-circle distance plus typical airport travel additions. Public transit accuracy varies by city based on available transit data.

Why do travel times vary from other calculators?

We incorporate historical traffic patterns, typical rest stops for long journeys, border crossing times, and real-world average speeds rather than posted speed limits. This provides a more realistic estimation than calculators that use simple distance/speed formulas.

Can I calculate international travel distances?

Yes, our calculator works worldwide and includes border crossing considerations when applicable. For international trips, we recommend adding 30-60 minutes to estimated driving times for each border crossing, depending on the specific countries involved.

How does the calculator handle multiple waypoints?

Our algorithm optimizes the route through all specified waypoints in the order you provide them. Each additional waypoint increases calculation complexity, but allows for detailed trip planning with multiple stops along your journey.

Does the calculator account for elevation changes?

Yes, our advanced calculations incorporate elevation data for walking and cycling modes, which affects estimated travel times. For mountainous regions, driving times may be increased by 10-15% to account for slower speeds on steep or winding roads.