Rio de Janeiro, Brazil → Recife, Brazil · ✈ 2h 51min · 🚗 30h 28min
1,012 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: northeast
The distance from Rio de Janeiro to Recife is 1,875 km (1,165 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 51min.
The straight-line distance from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Recife, Brazil is approximately 1,875 kilometers (1,165 miles or 1,012 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Recife is located northeast of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is in South America, in the Southeast region of Brazil, while Recife is in South America, in Northeast, Brazil. Both cities are in South America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,875 km | ~2h 51min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~2,438 km | ~30h 28min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~2,250 km | ~18h 45min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Rio de Janeiro to Recife. For 1,875 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 2,438 km, fuel costs for driving from Rio de Janeiro to Recife are approximately $195–$366 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.
Rio de Janeiro sits at 22.9068°S, 43.1729°W, while Recife is located at 8.0476°S, 34.8770°W. The initial compass bearing from Rio de Janeiro to Recife is 30° (NNE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Rio de Janeiro heading roughly NNE. 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 14.86° and the longitude difference is 8.30°. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Recife is approximately 15.5158°S, 38.8749°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 938 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Recife is roughly 1 hour ahead of Rio de Janeiro. When it is 09:00 in Rio de Janeiro, it is approximately 10:00 in Recife. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Rio de Janeiro is a major city in Brazil with a population of approximately 6,748,000. Located in the Southeast region, it is an important hub in South America. As one of the largest cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Rio de Janeiro
Recife is a notable city in Brazil with a population of approximately 1,653,461. Situated in the Northeast region, it serves as a key destination in South America. Recife offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Brazil.
1,875 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.
The 1,875 km between Rio de Janeiro and Recife means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 6.3 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 2h 51min.
The straight-line distance from Rio de Janeiro to Recife is approximately 1,875 kilometers (1,165 miles, 1,012 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 51min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 30h 28min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Recife is approximately +1h ahead compared to Rio de Janeiro.
The estimated road distance is approximately 2,438 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,875 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.