Convert distances between miles and kilometres, calculate journey times and average speeds. Essential for UK driving, cycling, route planning, and European travel preparation. Quick real-time conversions for accurate journey estimates.
This calculator uses the official conversion: 1 mile = 1.60934 kilometres exactly. Perfect for journey planning, speed estimation, fuel calculations, and preparing for European road trips where speed limits are in km/h.
The United Kingdom is one of only three countries worldwide (along with USA and Liberia) that primarily uses miles for road distances. Despite adopting the metric system in 1965, the UK retained miles for roads due to conversion costs. In 2024, replacing every UK road sign with metric equivalents would cost an estimated £750 million to £1 billion.
The internationally defined conversion between miles and kilometres:
| Road Type | Speed Limit (mph) | Speed Limit (km/h) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorways (cars) | 70 mph | 112 km/h | M1, M25, M6, etc. Often reduced in roadworks |
| Dual carriageways | 70 mph | 112 km/h | A-roads with central reservation |
| Single carriageways | 60 mph | 96 km/h | National speed limit applies unless signed |
| Built-up areas | 30 mph | 48 km/h | Street lights = 30 mph unless signed |
| Residential zones | 20 mph | 32 km/h | School zones, high streets (increasingly common) |
| Journey | Miles | Kilometres | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London to Manchester | 200 | 322 | 3h 30m - 4h 30m |
| London to Birmingham | 120 | 193 | 2h - 2h 30m |
| London to Edinburgh | 400 | 644 | 7h - 8h |
| London to Bristol | 120 | 193 | 2h - 2h 45m |
| Manchester to Leeds | 45 | 72 | 1h - 1h 15m |
| Glasgow to Aberdeen | 145 | 233 | 2h 30m - 3h |
Speed Camera Tolerance: UK police typically allow 10% + 2 mph before enforcement. At 70 mph limit, cameras activate at 79 mph (some forces use 10% + 1 mph = 78 mph). However, this is guidance only - legally, 1 mph over the limit is an offense. Average speed cameras (increasingly common on motorways) track your average speed between two points, making sustained speeding impossible.
Fixed Penalty Notice: Exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 mph over the "tolerance" threshold results in: £100 fine, 3 penalty points on licence (valid 4 years, disclosed to insurers 5 years). Speed awareness courses (£80-£100) are offered as an alternative for first-time minor offenses, avoiding penalty points.
Court Summons: Serious speeding (typically 30+ mph over limit on motorways, 20+ mph in urban areas) results in court summons. Penalties include: 7-56 day driving ban, £1,000 fine (£2,500 on motorways), 6 penalty points if not banned. At 100+ mph on motorways, 6-month bans are common. New drivers (passed test less than 2 years ago) lose their licence with 6+ points.
Motorway Average Speeds: While the limit is 70 mph, realistic UK motorway averages account for congestion, roadworks, and service stops:
Journey Planning Best Practices: For accurate UK journey estimates, use these average speeds: (1) Primarily motorway: 60 mph average. (2) Mixed motorway/A-roads: 50 mph average. (3) A-roads only: 40 mph average. (4) Urban journeys: 20-30 mph average. (5) Add 15 minutes per 2 hours for service station stops (fuel, toilets, coffee).
Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel): Folkestone to Calais in 35 minutes. As soon as you exit in France, ALL speed limits are in km/h. French motorway limit: 130 km/h (81 mph) in dry conditions, 110 km/h (68 mph) in rain. UK drivers must remember: 50 km/h (urban) = 31 mph, 90 km/h (rural) = 56 mph, 110 km/h (fast rural) = 68 mph.
Ferry Crossings: Dover to Calais (1h 30m), Portsmouth to Caen (6h), Harwich to Hook of Holland (6h 30m). Continental Europe uses kilometres exclusively - your UK car displays mph prominently but km/h in smaller numbers on the speedo. Many UK drivers set GPS to km/h when in Europe to avoid confusion.
European Speed Limits (Common Destinations):
Cycling Speeds: Leisure cycling 8-12 mph (13-19 km/h), commuter cycling 12-16 mph (19-26 km/h), road cycling 16-20 mph (26-32 km/h). For a 10-mile cycle commute: Leisure cyclist 50-75 minutes, commuter 37-50 minutes, experienced 30-37 minutes.
Walking Speeds: UK walking speed averages 3 mph (4.8 km/h) on flat ground. Common distances: 1 mile walk = 20 minutes, 5K race (3.1 miles) = 1 hour walking, 10K race (6.2 miles) = 2 hours walking. UK ramblers typically cover 2-2.5 miles per hour on countryside walks with hills.
UK fuel consumption is measured in miles per gallon (mpg), but journey distance is in miles. To calculate fuel needed:
✓ Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: January 2026.
Last updated: January 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates
Our Distance Calculator provides:
Is this calculator free?
Yes, all our calculators are 100% free to use with no registration required.
Are the results accurate?
Our calculators use verified formulas and are regularly updated for accuracy.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes, all calculators are fully responsive and work on any device.