Compare: Madrid→Rome (1,364 km) vs Madrid→Amsterdam (1,481 km). Madrid → Rome wins by 117 km (8%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
1,364 km
848 miles · Flight: ~2h 12min · Drive: ~22h 10min
✓ Shorter route
1,481 km
920 miles · Flight: ~2h 21min · Drive: ~24h 4min
Difference: 117 km (8%) · Flight time difference: ~9 min
Verdict
Madrid → Rome is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 117 km (8%) shorter, saves about 9 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 30 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Madrid → Amsterdam only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Madrid → Rome is the shorter route at 1,364 km, which is 117 km (8%) shorter than Madrid → Amsterdam. You would save approximately 9 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Madrid → Rome | Madrid → Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,364 | 1,481 |
| Distance (miles) | 848 | 920 |
| Flight time | ~2h 12min | ~2h 21min |
| Driving time | ~22h 10min | ~24h 4min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,773 km | ~1,925 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 78° (ENE) | 23° (NNE) |
| Time-zone shift | +1h | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~348 kg | ~378 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~303 kg | ~329 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$177 USD | ~$193 USD |
Flying from Madrid to Rome produces roughly 348 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Madrid → Amsterdam flight emits about 378 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 30 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 1 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 303 kg and 329 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Madrid to Rome route covers 1,364 km (848 miles), staying within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is located in Community of Madrid, Spain, while Rome (population: 2,873,000) is in Lazio, Italy.
The Madrid to Amsterdam route covers 1,481 km (920 miles), remaining within Europe. Madrid (population: 3,223,334) is in Community of Madrid, Spain, and Amsterdam (population: 872,680) is in North Holland, Netherlands.
Flying from Madrid to Rome takes approximately 2h 12min, while Madrid to Amsterdam takes 2h 21min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 22h 10min for the first route and 24h 4min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Madrid, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Rome and Amsterdam as a destination.
The 117 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,773 km and 1,925 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 152 km of driving.
Rome (Italy) has a population of 2,873,000 and is located in the Lazio region of Europe. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
Amsterdam (Netherlands) has a population of 872,680 and is situated in North Holland, Europe. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Rome (Italy) — a city of 2,873,000 in the Lazio region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 1,364 km, which translates to a 9 min flight-time saving and roughly 30 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,773 km of road and a fuel cost band around $177 USD. The initial bearing is 78° (ENE), so a great-circle flight leaves Madrid heading roughly ENE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Amsterdam (Netherlands) — a city of 872,680 in the North Holland region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 1,481 km, it remains the obvious pick when Amsterdam is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Madrid are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 1,925 km of road and a fuel cost in the $193 USD range. Departing Madrid, the great-circle bearing toward Amsterdam is 23° (NNE).
Madrid (40.42°, -3.70°) and Rome (41.90°, 12.50°) sit with a time-zone shift of +1 hour. Madrid (40.42°, -3.70°) and Amsterdam (52.37°, 4.90°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Rome is closer at 1,364 km, which is 117 km (8%) shorter.
1,364 km (848 miles). Flight: ~2h 12min.
1,481 km (920 miles). Flight: ~2h 21min.
Flying to Rome is faster at ~2h 12min, saving about 9 min compared to Amsterdam.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.