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Journey Time Calculator

Estimate how long a journey will take from distance and average speed, then add breaks, stops and traffic delays to get a more realistic arrival time.

Calculator

Distance unit

Distance (miles)

Enter the total planned route distance.

1 mi1,000 mi

Average speed (mph)

Use realistic average speed, not the road speed limit.

mph

1 mph120 mph

Journey type preset

Optional shortcut for typical average speeds.

Traffic / disruption delay (%)

Adds extra time to account for congestion or delays.

0%100%

Planned breaks / stops

Number of separate stops during the journey.

stops

010

Average stop length (minutes)

Time added for each break, fuel stop or station change.

min

0 min120 min

Departure time

Used to calculate estimated arrival time.

Target arrival time (optional)

Shows required average speed to arrive by this time.

Journey estimate

Start — Arrive

🚗

Total journey time

—

Driving / moving time

—

Estimated arrival

—

Delay added

—

Break time

—

Breakdown of your journey time

—

Moving time —

Traffic / disruption delay —

Planned breaks / stops —

How the calculation works

The calculator starts with the basic journey-time formula:

Moving time = distance ÷ average speed

It then adds a percentage-based delay for traffic, roadworks, disruption or route inefficiency. Finally, it adds any planned break time using the number of stops multiplied by the average stop length.

Total journey time = moving time + delay time + planned stop time

If you enter a target arrival time, the calculator works backwards from your departure time and break allowance to estimate the average speed needed to arrive by that time.

Note: This tool gives an estimate only. Real journeys can change due to traffic, weather, road closures, service disruptions, speed limits, parking time and rest requirements. Always follow legal speed limits and leave a sensible safety margin.

Typical average speeds to use

Walking

Around 3 mph / 5 km/h for a steady adult walking pace.

Cycling

Around 10–15 mph / 16–24 km/h depending on fitness, route and traffic.

City driving

Often 15–25 mph / 25–40 km/h after traffic lights, congestion and junctions.

Motorway driving

A realistic average may be 55–65 mph / 90–105 km/h once traffic and stops are included.

Practical journey planning tips

•Use average speed, not maximum speed. A 70 mph road does not mean your whole journey will average 70 mph.
•Add a buffer. For important appointments, add at least 10–20% extra time for parking, walking and unexpected delays.
•Plan rest stops. For long drives, include breaks before you feel tired rather than treating them as optional.
•Check live conditions. Use this calculator for planning, then check live traffic, roadworks or train disruption before leaving.
•Think door-to-door. Include time for fuel, charging, parking, station changes, check-in or the walk from your final stop.

Common questions

Why is average speed lower than the speed limit? ⌄

Average speed includes slower sections, junctions, traffic lights, queues, roundabouts, roadworks and time spent accelerating or slowing down. For planning, the average speed should be realistic rather than optimistic.

Can this calculate arrival time after midnight? ⌄

Yes. The calculator rolls the result into the next day where needed and marks it as +1 day, +2 days and so on.

How should I estimate traffic delay? ⌄

Use 0–5% for quiet routes, 10–20% for normal mixed driving, 25–50% for rush hour, and more for known disruption. For long journeys, even a small percentage can add a significant amount of time.

Does this replace a maps app? ⌄

No. This calculator is best for quick planning, comparing scenarios and understanding the maths. A live maps or transport app is still better for current traffic, exact routes and service disruption.

What happens if my target arrival time is too soon? ⌄

The calculator will still show the required average speed, but it will flag unrealistic or unsafe values. You should never exceed speed limits or drive dangerously to meet a target time.