Average Speed Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/5/2026
Average speed is found by dividing the distance traveled by the time it took. Example: 100 km covered in 60 minutes gives an average speed of 100 km/h.
Explanation
The average speed formula (distance ÷ time) is the oldest relationship in kinematics, but it hides a common pitfall: an "average" speed over a trip with varying speed (traffic jams, stops, fast stretches) isn't the arithmetic mean of the instantaneous speeds, it's the ratio of total distance to total time — exactly what this tool calculates. This calculator expresses duration in minutes rather than decimal hours to avoid a common conversion mistake (1 h 30 min isn't 1.3 hours, it's 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes). For a similar type of calculation applied at a different scale — finding a value from a known ratio — see also the rule of three calculator.
Example: 50 km covered in 30 minutes
Inputs
Distance: 50 km. Duration: 30 minutes.
Calculation
Convert the duration to hours: 30 minutes = 0.5 hour. Then divide the distance by that duration: 50 km ÷ 0.5 h = 100 km/h.
Result
The average speed on this trip is 100 km/h.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hours and minutes into minutes only?
Multiply the number of hours by 60 and add the remaining minutes. For example, 1 h 45 min = (1 × 60) + 45 = 105 minutes.
Does average speed account for stops along the way?
Yes, if you include the stopped time in the total trip duration: the average speed calculated here is then an overall "average travel speed," lower than the speed actually maintained while moving. For pure driving speed, exclude the stopped time from the duration you enter.
How do I calculate travel time from a distance and a target speed?
Divide the distance by the speed: time (in hours) = distance ÷ speed. For example, to cover 120 km at 80 km/h, that's 120 ÷ 80 = 1.5 hours, or 1 h 30 min.