Miles ↔ Kilometers Converter
Quickly convert distances between the metric system and the American imperial system.
Common conversions
| Miles | Kilometers |
|---|---|
| 1 mile | 1.609 km |
| 5 miles | 8.05 km |
| 10 miles | 16.09 km |
| 25 miles | 40.23 km |
| 50 miles | 80.47 km |
| 100 miles | 160.93 km |
Conversion formulas
Miles to kilometers:
kilometers = miles × 1.60934
Kilometers to miles:
miles = kilometers ÷ 1.60934
About distances in the United States
The United States is one of only three countries in the world (with Liberia and Myanmar) that has not officially adopted the metric system for everyday use. On the road, that means almost everything you read is in miles and miles per hour (mph) — there is no metric equivalent printed alongside it, so a visitor coming from Europe has to convert on the fly.
- Highway signs show the distance to the next exit, city, or junction in miles, often with a green overhead sign listing the next three destinations.
- Speed limits are posted on white rectangular signs in mph. There is no nationwide limit: each state sets its own, so the maximum can jump as you cross a state line.
- Your car's dashboard shows speed in mph on the outer ring (km/h is usually a smaller inner ring), and the odometer counts miles. Rental cars are no different.
- Smaller distances use feet and inches: clearance under a bridge, the length of a parking space, or how far ahead an exit is once you are close ("Exit 1/2 mile").
- Fuel economy is quoted in miles per gallon (mpg), not liters per 100 km — another reason the mile stays front of mind on a road trip.
Typical speed limits
Limits vary by state and by road type, but these ranges cover most situations:
- School zones & residential streets: 15–25 mph (24–40 km/h)
- City and town streets: 25–35 mph (40–56 km/h)
- Two-lane rural highways: 45–65 mph (72–105 km/h)
- Interstates and freeways: 55–75 mph (89–121 km/h)
- Rural Interstates in some Western states (Texas, Utah, parts of Nevada): up to 80–85 mph (129–137 km/h)
Practical examples
- Marathon: 26.2 miles = 42.2 km
- 5K run: 3.1 miles = 5 km
- New York – Boston: ~215 miles = ~346 km
- New York – Washington, D.C.: ~225 miles = ~362 km
- Los Angeles – San Francisco: ~380 miles = ~612 km
- Los Angeles – Las Vegas: ~270 miles = ~435 km
- Chicago – New York: ~790 miles = ~1,271 km
- Coast to coast (New York – Los Angeles): ~2,790 miles = ~4,490 km
Those last figures explain why Americans think nothing of a multi-hour drive and why domestic flights are so common. To put the scale in context — four time zones in the continental U.S. and thousands of miles from coast to coast — see our page on US geography & regions. For the rules of the road themselves, from the DMV to right turn on red, see Driving in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the US use miles instead of kilometers?
For historical reasons. The mile comes from the British imperial system, which was already entrenched across U.S. infrastructure — road signs, maps, deeds, vehicles — before the metric system spread worldwide. Several attempts to switch (notably the Metric Conversion Act of 1975) were voluntary and never took hold for daily use, so miles, feet, and mph remain standard on the road.
How can I convert miles to kilometers quickly in my head?
Multiply by 1.6, or add about 60%: 50 miles is roughly 50 + 30 = 80 km. For a closer estimate, the ratio of miles to kilometers is near the golden ratio used in Fibonacci numbers — for example 5 miles ≈ 8 km, 8 miles ≈ 13 km, 13 miles ≈ 21 km. Use the converter above when you need an exact figure.
Is the speed limit the same everywhere in the US?
No. There is no national speed limit; each state sets its own, and limits differ by road type within a state. You can legally drive 80 mph on some rural Interstates in Texas but only 65 mph on a similar road in another state, so always watch the posted signs — they change at state lines and around cities, schools, and work zones.
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