Route Distance Calculator

Calculate total route distance from multiple trail segments, map measurements, GPS sections, detours, loops, or out-and-back routes. This route distance calculator can help estimate hiking, backpacking, running, walking, biking, or trail mileage.

Calculate Route Distance

Route Distance = segment distances + return distance if needed + detours
Your result will appear here.

How the route distance calculator works

Segments:
Enter each route segment from your map, trail guide, GPS app, or planned itinerary.

Route type:
Choose whether the route is one-way, out and back, a loop, or a partial return route.

Detours:
Add extra distance for side trips, lookout points, campsite access, water stops, alternate parking, or reroutes.

Why use a route distance calculator?

A route distance calculator helps combine multiple trail sections into one total route estimate. It can be useful when planning hiking time, backpacking mileage, water needs, calories burned, trail ETA, and daylight requirements.

Route distance is an estimate. GPS tracks, trail signs, map scale, switchbacks, reroutes, and measurement methods can cause real-world distance to vary.

Route distance formula

The basic route distance formula is:

Total Route Distance = segment total + return distance + detour distance

Route distance calculator tips

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate route distance?

Add each route segment together. Then adjust for route type, such as out and back, loop, one-way, or partial return, and add any detour distance.

What is an out-and-back route?

An out-and-back route means you travel to a destination and return by the same route. In most cases, the total distance is double the one-way distance.

What is a loop route?

A loop route starts and ends in the same general location without returning the exact same way. For a loop, the entered segment total is usually the full route distance.

Why does my GPS distance differ from a map distance?

GPS distance can differ because of signal drift, switchbacks, trail reroutes, map scale, elevation changes, and how often the route was recorded or measured.