General
Mileage Calculator
Calculate the driving distance between any two locations. Get accurate mileage estimates for route planning, with support for both miles and kilometers.
Enter locations to calculate distance
Related to Mileage Calculator
The Mileage Calculator helps you determine the driving distance between any two locations. It calculates both the actual driving distance along roads and the straight-line distance (as the crow flies). This calculator is particularly useful for route planning, estimating travel times, and comparing different route options.
Distance Calculation Method
The calculator uses mapping services to determine the shortest driving route between your specified locations. It takes into account actual road networks, highways, and typical driving conditions. The straight-line distance is calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the shortest distance between two points on a sphere (in this case, Earth).
Unit Conversions
The calculator supports both miles and kilometers, automatically converting between the two using the standard conversion factor (1 mile = 1.60934 kilometers). This allows users from different regions to work with their preferred unit of measurement while ensuring accurate results.
The calculator provides two different distance measurements and estimated travel time to help you plan your journey effectively:
Driving Distance
This is the actual distance you would need to drive along roads to reach your destination. It takes into account the road network and represents the shortest practical route. The calculator also provides an estimated travel time based on typical driving conditions and speed limits.
Straight Line Distance
Also known as "as the crow flies," this is the shortest possible distance between your starting point and destination, measured in a straight line. This distance is always shorter than the driving distance and can be useful for comparing how direct or indirect a driving route might be.
1. Why is the driving distance longer than the straight-line distance?
Driving distance is always longer because vehicles must follow established roads, which rarely follow a perfectly straight path. Roads need to account for terrain, buildings, natural obstacles, and other infrastructure, resulting in routes that are longer than the theoretical straight-line distance.
2. How accurate are the estimated travel times?
Travel time estimates are based on typical driving conditions and speed limits. Actual travel times can vary significantly depending on traffic conditions, weather, time of day, road work, and other factors. It's always good practice to allow extra time for your journey.
3. Can I use this calculator for international routes?
Yes, the calculator can determine distances between locations worldwide. However, for international routes, remember that border crossings, ferry routes, and different road systems might affect the actual travel time and accessibility of certain routes.
4. Why might different mapping services show slightly different distances?
Different mapping services might show varying distances due to factors like route optimization algorithms, map data updates, and how they account for road characteristics. These differences are usually minor and don't significantly impact journey planning.
5. What is the scientific source for this calculator?
This calculator uses established geographical and mathematical principles. The straight-line distance calculation employs the Haversine formula, developed by James Inman in 1835, which calculates great-circle distances between points on a sphere. The driving distance calculations utilize standard mapping algorithms based on Dijkstra's algorithm for finding shortest paths in road networks. The distance unit conversion uses the internationally recognized standard where 1 mile equals exactly 1.609344 kilometers, as defined by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959.