Trip & Journey Calculator

Average Speed Calculator

Calculate average speed for trips, journeys, and multi-segment travels. Find your true average speed including stops and varying speeds.

Speed Calculator Average Speed MPH to KM/H Running Pace

Average Speed Formula

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

The formula applies regardless of speed variations during the journey

Calculation Mode

Calculate Average Speed

Enter total distance and total time for your journey

Distance Unit

Total Distance (km)

Total Time

Enter as HH:MM:SS, MM:SS, or minutes

Average Speed Examples

Road Trip Example

You drive 300 km in 4 hours, including a 30-minute lunch break.

Average Speed = 300 km / 4 h = 75 km/h

Commute Example

Your 25-mile commute takes 45 minutes in the morning.

Average Speed = 25 mi / 0.75 h = 33.33 mph

Round Trip (Different Speeds)

Drive 100 km at 50 km/h, return at 100 km/h.

Total: 200 km in 3h (2h + 1h) = 66.67 km/h
(Not 75 km/h - average of speeds)

Multi-Segment Trip

Highway (80 km, 45 min) + City (20 km, 40 min)

Total: 100 km in 1h 25min = 70.59 km/h

Common Misconception: Averaging Speeds

A common mistake is to calculate average speed by simply averaging the speeds traveled. This is incorrect because you spend different amounts of time at each speed.

Wrong Approach

If you travel at 60 km/h for one segment and 40 km/h for another, the average is NOT simply (60 + 40) / 2 = 50 km/h.

Correct Approach

You must use Total Distance / Total Time. The answer depends on the distance traveled at each speed or the time spent at each speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about average speed calculations

How do you calculate average speed?

Average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken. Formula: Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time. For example, if you travel 150 km in 2 hours, your average speed is 150 / 2 = 75 km/h.

What is the difference between average speed and instantaneous speed?

Average speed is the total distance divided by total time for an entire journey, regardless of speed variations. Instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific moment in time, like what your speedometer shows.

How do you calculate average speed for a round trip?

For a round trip, add the total distance of both legs and divide by the total time. Don't average the two speeds - this gives incorrect results because you spend different amounts of time at each speed.

Should I include stops in my average speed calculation?

It depends on what you want to measure. For true trip average speed (useful for planning), include all stops. For moving average speed, exclude stops. Our calculator uses total time including stops for realistic trip planning.

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