Location Distance Calculator
Location distance calculator works out Straight-line distance and Road distance used from Origin latitude, Origin longitude and Destination latitude. The default figures on this page give road distance used of 2,934.675; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Great-circle distance between the two points on a sphere of radius 6371.0088 km: 2445.5627 mi.
- Initial bearing 65.92 degrees (ENE).
- Estimated road distance = 2445.563 x 1.2 = 2934.675 mi.
- At 60 mph that is 48.911 hours of driving - 48 h 55 min.
Its 4 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed
Sources and references
4 sources
What the location distance calculator calculates
Computes the straight-line distance and initial bearing between two locations given by coordinates, estimates the road distance using a circuity factor or a road distance you supply, and turns it into a driving time.
How to use this location distance calculator
Enter Origin latitude, Origin longitude, Destination latitude and Destination longitude. Straight-line distance updates as you type, and “Use a worked example” loads checked figures you can adjust. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Straight-line distance, Road distance used and Distance unit.
The method follows R. W. Sinnott, "Virtues of the Haversine", Sky and Telescope 68(2), 159, D. J. Giacomin and D. M. Levinson, "Road network circuity in metropolitan areas", Environment and Planning B 42(6), R. H. Ballou, H. Rahardja and N. Sakai, "Selected country circuity factors for road travel distance estimation", Transportation Research Part A 36(9) and Google Maps Routes API documentation.
A quarter of the equator on a 6371 km sphere example
With Origin latitude: 0, Origin longitude: 0, Destination latitude: 0, Destination longitude: 90, the calculator returns Straight-line distance: 10007.5434, Initial bearing: 90, Direction of travel: E. This example is checked against an independent source in the test suite.
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Straight-line distance, Road distance used and Distance unit. The inputs you can vary are Origin latitude, Origin longitude, Destination latitude, Destination longitude, Distance unit and Earth radius.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
See something wrong? Report a problem with this calculator
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need for the location distance calculator?
You need Origin latitude, Origin longitude, Destination latitude, Destination longitude, Distance unit, Earth radius, Road distance from your maps provider and Road circuity factor. The page opens with default figures that give road distance used of 2,934.675, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this location distance calculator show?
It shows Straight-line distance, Road distance used, Distance unit, Where the road distance came from, Initial bearing, Direction of travel, Driving time and Total time including stops, with the working and any warnings for your entries.
Can I check how the location distance calculator result was calculated?
Yes. The “How this is worked out” section shows the calculation steps, and the sources section identifies the references used for the method.