What average speed means
Average speed describes the whole trip as one rate. It does not show acceleration, stops, traffic or short sections where speed was higher or lower.
Example
Driving 120 kilometers in 2 hours gives an average speed of 60 km/h. A 10-minute stop is part of elapsed time if you include it in the 2 hours.
Use compatible units
If distance is in kilometers and time is in hours, the answer is kilometers per hour. If distance is in meters and time is in seconds, the answer is meters per second.
Common mistakes
Average speed is not the same as the highest speed reached. Include stops only if you want door-to-door average speed.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17