Compare: Rome→Florence (231 km) vs Rome→Milan (477 km). Rome → Florence wins by 246 km (52%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
231 km
144 miles · Flight: ~47 min · Drive: ~3h 45min
✓ Shorter route
477 km
296 miles · Flight: ~1h 6min · Drive: ~7h 45min
Difference: 246 km (52%) · Flight time difference: ~19 min
Verdict
Rome → Florence is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 246 km (52%) shorter, saves about 19 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 63 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Rome → Milan only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Rome → Florence is the shorter route at 231 km, which is 246 km (52%) shorter than Rome → Milan. You would save approximately 19 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Rome → Florence | Rome → Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 231 | 477 |
| Distance (miles) | 144 | 296 |
| Flight time | ~47 min | ~1h 6min |
| Driving time | ~3h 45min | ~7h 45min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~300 km | ~620 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 334° (NNW) | 327° (NNW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~59 kg | ~122 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~51 kg | ~106 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$30 USD | ~$62 USD |
Flying from Rome to Florence produces roughly 59 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Rome → Milan flight emits about 122 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 63 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 3 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 51 kg and 106 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Rome to Florence route covers 231 km (144 miles), staying within Europe. Rome (population: 2,873,000) is located in Lazio, Italy, while Florence (population: 382,258) is in Tuscany, Italy.
The Rome to Milan route covers 477 km (296 miles), remaining within Europe. Rome (population: 2,873,000) is in Lazio, Italy, and Milan (population: 1,352,000) is in Lombardy, Italy.
Flying from Rome to Florence takes approximately 47 min, while Rome to Milan takes 1h 6min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 3h 45min for the first route and 7h 45min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Rome, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Florence and Milan as a destination.
The 246 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 300 km and 620 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 320 km of driving.
Florence (Italy) has a population of 382,258 and is located in the Tuscany region of Europe. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Milan (Italy) has a population of 1,352,000 and is situated in Lombardy, Europe. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Florence (Italy) — a city of 382,258 in the Tuscany region of Europe. It is also the shorter option at 231 km, which translates to a 19 min flight-time saving and roughly 63 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 300 km of road and a fuel cost band around $30 USD. The initial bearing is 334° (NNW), so a great-circle flight leaves Rome heading roughly NNW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Milan (Italy) — a city of 1,352,000 in the Lombardy region of Europe. Even though it is the longer route at 477 km, it remains the obvious pick when Milan is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Rome are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 620 km of road and a fuel cost in the $62 USD range. Departing Rome, the great-circle bearing toward Milan is 327° (NNW).
Rome (41.90°, 12.50°) and Florence (43.77°, 11.26°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Rome (41.90°, 12.50°) and Milan (45.46°, 9.19°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Florence is closer at 231 km, which is 246 km (52%) shorter.
231 km (144 miles). Flight: ~47 min.
477 km (296 miles). Flight: ~1h 6min.
Flying to Florence is faster at ~47 min, saving about 19 min compared to Milan.
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.