Compare: Miami→Nassau (296 km) vs Miami→Punta Cana (1,456 km). Miami → Nassau wins by 1,160 km (80%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
296 km
184 miles · Flight: ~52 min · Drive: ~4h 49min
✓ Shorter route
1,456 km
905 miles · Flight: ~2h 19min · Drive: ~23h 40min
Difference: 1,160 km (80%) · Flight time difference: ~1h 27min
Verdict
Miami → Nassau is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 1,160 km (80%) shorter, saves about 1h 27min of flight time, and cuts roughly 296 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Miami → Punta Cana only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Miami → Nassau is the shorter route at 296 km, which is 1,160 km (80%) shorter than Miami → Punta Cana. You would save approximately 1h 27min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Miami → Nassau | Miami → Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 296 | 1,456 |
| Distance (miles) | 184 | 905 |
| Flight time | ~52 min | ~2h 19min |
| Driving time | ~4h 49min | ~23h 40min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~385 km | ~1,893 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 105° (ESE) | 121° (ESE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~75 kg | ~371 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~66 kg | ~324 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$39 USD | ~$189 USD |
Flying from Miami to Nassau produces roughly 75 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Miami → Punta Cana flight emits about 371 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 296 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 14 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 66 kg and 324 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Miami to Nassau route covers 296 km (184 miles), staying within North America. Miami (population: 467,963) is located in South, United States, while Nassau (population: 274,400) is in New Providence, Bahamas.
The Miami to Punta Cana route covers 1,456 km (905 miles), remaining within North America. Miami (population: 467,963) is in South, United States, and Punta Cana (population: 100,023) is in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic.
Flying from Miami to Nassau takes approximately 52 min, while Miami to Punta Cana takes 2h 19min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 4h 49min for the first route and 23h 40min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Miami, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Nassau and Punta Cana as a destination.
The 1,160 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 385 km and 1,893 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 1,508 km of driving.
Nassau (Bahamas) has a population of 274,400 and is located in the New Providence region of North America. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) has a population of 100,023 and is situated in La Altagracia, North America. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Nassau (Bahamas) — a city of 274,400 in the New Providence region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 296 km, which translates to a 1h 27min flight-time saving and roughly 296 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 385 km of road and a fuel cost band around $39 USD. The initial bearing is 105° (ESE), so a great-circle flight leaves Miami heading roughly ESE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) — a city of 100,023 in the La Altagracia region of North America. Even though it is the longer route at 1,456 km, it remains the obvious pick when Punta Cana is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Miami are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 1,893 km of road and a fuel cost in the $189 USD range. Departing Miami, the great-circle bearing toward Punta Cana is 121° (ESE).
Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) and Nassau (25.05°, -77.36°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) and Punta Cana (18.56°, -68.37°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Nassau is closer at 296 km, which is 1,160 km (80%) shorter.
296 km (184 miles). Flight: ~52 min.
1,456 km (905 miles). Flight: ~2h 19min.
Flying to Nassau is faster at ~52 min, saving about 1h 27min compared to Punta Cana.
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: May 30, 2026.