Madrid, Spain → Rome, Italy · ✈ 2h 12min · 🚗 22h 10min
737 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: east
The distance from Madrid to Rome is 1,364 km (848 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 12min.
The straight-line distance from Madrid, Spain to Rome, Italy is approximately 1,364 kilometers (848 miles or 737 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Rome is located east of Madrid. Madrid is in Europe, in the Community of Madrid region of Spain, while Rome is in Europe, in Lazio, Italy. Both cities are in Europe.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,364 km | ~2h 12min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,773 km | ~22h 10min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚄 High-Speed Train | ~1,569 km | ~4h 52min | Comfortable alternative to flying |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,637 km | ~13h 38min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Madrid to Rome. For 1,364 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,773 km, fuel costs for driving from Madrid to Rome are approximately $142–$266 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Madrid sits at 40.4168°N, 3.7038°W, while Rome is located at 41.9028°N, 12.4964°E. The initial compass bearing from Madrid to Rome is 78° (ENE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Madrid heading roughly ENE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 1.49° and the longitude difference is 16.20°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Madrid and Rome is approximately 41.4446°N, 4.3039°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 682 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Rome is roughly 1 hour ahead of Madrid. When it is 09:00 in Madrid, it is approximately 10:00 in Rome. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Both cities use the same currency (Euro, EUR), so no exchange is needed. The primary local language shifts from Spanish in Madrid to Italian in Rome. Learning a few basic phrases makes a noticeable difference at hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs.
Madrid is a major city in Spain with a population of approximately 3,223,334. Located in the Community of Madrid region, it is an important hub in Europe. Madrid is a significant metropolitan area in Spain with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Madrid
Rome is a notable city in Italy with a population of approximately 2,873,000. Situated in the Lazio region, it serves as a key destination in Europe. Rome offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Italy.
1,364 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
At 1,364 km, the Madrid-Rome route is about 3.4% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 2h 12min.
See how the Madrid to Rome distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Madrid to Rome is approximately 1,364 kilometers (848 miles, 737 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 12min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 22h 10min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Rome is approximately +1h ahead compared to Madrid.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,773 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,364 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.