Introduction
If you’re wondering how long does it take to walk 5 miles, the honest answer is it depends—but you can still get a very solid estimate. For most people walking at a normal, comfortable pace, 5 miles takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Your pace, fitness level, the route you choose, and even the weather can move that time up or down. This guide breaks it all down in a simple way so you can plan your walk with confidence.
The Average Time It Takes to Walk 5 Miles
A common “standard” walking pace for adults is about 3 miles per hour. That pace is often described as a steady, moderate walk—fast enough to feel like exercise, but not so fast that you’re out of breath. Many health references also describe “brisk walking” as starting around 2.5 mph and up, with moderate-intensity brisk walking often around 3 mph or faster.
At 3 mph, walking 5 miles typically takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. That’s because 3 miles per hour equals 1 mile every 20 minutes, and 5 miles × 20 minutes per mile = 100 minutes. In real life, many people end up close to this number on flat ground, especially if they don’t take long breaks. If you’re walking with a friend, stopping for traffic lights, or dealing with a crowded path, it can creep closer to 1 hour 50 minutes or even 2 hours. If you’re on a quiet route and you keep a steady rhythm, you may finish a bit faster.
So if you need a single “average” answer to how long does it take to walk 5 miles, about 1 hour 40 minutes is a fair starting point for most adults on a normal route.
How Walking Speed Changes Your 5-Mile Time
At a casual pace of about 2.5 mph, 5 miles takes about 2 hours. This is a relaxed speed—more like a stroll with frequent chatting, sightseeing, walking with kids, or walking while carrying bags. It’s also common for beginners who are easing into longer distances, or for anyone who prefers comfort over speed. The pace can still feel good and steady, but it’s not “pushy.”
At a moderate pace of about 3 mph, you’re back to the classic estimate of about 1 hour 40 minutes. Many adults naturally land here when they’re walking with purpose—going for exercise, walking the dog at a steady clip, or doing an active errand. This pace is also easy to maintain for a lot of people without feeling like they have to “try hard” every minute.
At a brisk pace of about 4 mph, you can finish 5 miles in about 1 hour 15 minutes. This is the kind of speed where you feel more effort in your breathing and you might not want to hold long conversations without pausing. It’s often reached by people who walk regularly, people training for fitness goals, or those intentionally trying to keep their heart rate up.
At a fast or power-walk pace near 5 mph, 5 miles can be done in about 1 hour. This is a challenging walking speed for most people, and it usually takes training and good form to keep it up for a full 60 minutes without drifting into a jog. If you can truly hold 5 mph for a full 5 miles, it suggests strong fitness and efficiency.
One helpful way to think about this is that “how long does it take to walk 5 miles” is really a pace question. If you know your usual mile time—whether it’s 24 minutes, 20 minutes, 15 minutes, or 12 minutes—you can estimate your 5-mile time quickly.
Time to Walk 5 Miles by Age and Gender
Age and gender can influence average walking speed, mainly because they often connect to factors like stride length, muscle strength, and overall fitness habits. Many published estimates show slight differences by age group and sex, but those differences are usually not dramatic for a 5-mile walk.
What matters more than demographics is the person in front of you: their routine, comfort level, and how often they walk. A 55-year-old who walks several times a week may be faster and more comfortable than a 25-year-old who rarely walks beyond daily tasks. The same goes for men and women—while stride length and average speed can differ, consistency and conditioning often matter more.
If you want to use age-and-gender estimates as a rough reference, treat them like a general guideline, not a prediction. Your own pace is the most useful number. If you’ve walked 1 mile before and you know roughly how long it took, that single data point will usually beat any demographic table for planning purposes.
So when someone asks how long does it take to walk 5 miles, the best “personal” answer is based on your real pace on a similar route. The averages can give you a starting point, but your habits decide the outcome.
Terrain and Environment: Why Location Matters
On flat, paved ground, you’ll usually walk faster and more smoothly. Sidewalks, tracks, and paved park loops let you keep a steady stride without thinking much about each step.
On trails, hills, sand, or uneven ground, the same 5 miles can take longer because your body has to work harder. Hills slow you down on the way up, and uneven surfaces can also reduce speed because you’re naturally more careful with footing. Even if your cardio fitness is strong, technical terrain forces you to pay attention.
Weather matters too. Heat and humidity can slow you down because your body is working harder to cool itself. Cold and wind can also reduce pace, especially if you’re bundled up or the path is slippery. The distance is the same, but your “comfortable speed” changes.
There’s also a difference between urban walking and treadmill walking. In a city, stoplights, crossings, crowds, and interruptions can add extra minutes even if you’re walking quickly between stops. On a treadmill, your pace stays steady unless you change it, so it’s easier to predict exactly how long it will take to walk 5 miles. If you’re planning around a strict schedule, treadmill timing is usually more precise, while outdoor timing needs a little buffer.
How Fitness Level Impacts Your Walking Time
If you’re a beginner, a realistic pace range might fall somewhere around 2.5 to 3 mph, depending on your comfort. That means your 5-mile time may land between about 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours. Beginners often do best when they focus on consistency rather than speed. It’s also normal to take short pauses—especially in the first few weeks of building up distance. Even a couple of one-minute breaks can add time, but they can make the walk feel much more doable.
If you’re a regular walker or an active person, you may naturally sit closer to 3 to 4 mph without feeling strained. That’s when 5 miles can become something like 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on effort and route. Regular walking improves efficiency: your stride becomes smoother, your breathing stays calmer, and your legs feel less “heavy” later in the walk.
Another practical sign of intensity is the “talk test.” Health guidance often describes moderate-intensity activity as being able to talk but not sing comfortably. Brisk walking is commonly listed as a moderate-intensity activity. If you can still talk in full sentences, you’re likely in that steady zone that many people maintain for longer walks. If speaking becomes difficult, you’re probably pushing closer to your faster end.
How Many Steps Is 5 Miles — and Why It Matters
Many people connect distance goals with step goals, and 5 miles is often linked to the well-known 10,000 steps benchmark. A common estimate is that it takes a little over 2,000 steps to walk 1 mile, which makes 10,000 steps close to about 5 miles—but it depends on your stride length.
Stride length changes based on height, leg length, walking speed, and terrain. Some people may reach 5 miles at closer to 9,000 steps, while others might need 11,000 or 12,000 steps. The point isn’t the exact number—it’s that steps and miles are closely related but not identical.
This matters when you’re tracking progress. If your fitness tracker says you hit 10,000 steps, you might be near 5 miles, but it may not be exactly 5 miles for you. Over time, though, your own pattern becomes consistent. If you notice that your 5-mile walk usually shows around 11,200 steps on your device, that becomes your personal reference. It also helps answer “how long does it take to walk 5 miles” in a more real-life way, because you can connect distance, time, and steps together.
Planning Your 5-Mile Walk: What to Expect
Start with scheduling. If you walk at an average pace, plan for about 1 hour 40 minutes, and add extra time if your route includes stoplights, hills, or breaks. If you’re new to longer walks, it’s smart to give yourself a 2-hour window so you don’t feel rushed. If you’re walking briskly and you know you can hold a quick pace, a 75–90 minute window may be enough.
Hydration is simple but important. For many people, a 5-mile walk can be done without special fueling, but bringing water is a good idea—especially in warm weather. If you’re walking in heat, your time may slow down naturally, so planning a little extra time makes the experience more comfortable.
Pacing is also key. Many people start too fast, then slow down a lot in the final mile. A steadier approach usually feels easier and often leads to a better overall time. If your goal is simply to finish comfortably, pick a pace that feels like you could maintain it for the full distance. If your goal is a faster time, try to keep your pace consistent and avoid big slowdowns.
Finally, set realistic expectations. If you’re using this walk as a personal goal, success isn’t only about the clock. A comfortable, steady 5 miles is an achievement on its own, and with repetition, your time often improves naturally.
Conclusion
So, how long does it take to walk 5 miles? For many people, a realistic average is about 1 hour and 40 minutes at a moderate pace of around 3 mph. If you walk casually, it may take closer to 2 hours. If you walk briskly, you might finish in about 1 hour 15 minutes, and a very fast power walk can get near 1 hour—though that’s not easy for most people to hold.
The best estimate comes from your personal pace on a similar route. Terrain, weather, interruptions, and fitness can all change the outcome, so it helps to treat walking-time numbers as flexible guidelines. With a steady plan and a comfortable pace, a 5-mile walk is a practical goal that fits into real life—and gets easier to predict every time you do it.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to walk 5 miles at a normal pace?
For most adults walking at a normal, moderate pace of about 3 mph, it takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to walk 5 miles. On routes with interruptions or hills, it may be closer to 1 hour 50 minutes or 2 hours.
2. Can you walk 5 miles in one hour?
It’s possible, but it usually requires a very fast pace—around 5 mph—which is closer to power walking and can be difficult to maintain for a full hour unless you’re trained and comfortable walking fast for long distances.
3. Is walking 5 miles a day considered good exercise?
Yes. A 5-mile walk can be a strong form of daily activity because it adds meaningful movement and can fall into moderate-intensity exercise depending on your pace. Brisk walking is commonly listed as moderate-intensity activity in public health guidance.
4. How many calories do you burn walking 5 miles?
Calories depend mostly on body weight, walking speed, and terrain. Heavier individuals usually burn more calories over the same distance, and walking faster or uphill increases burn as well. If you share your weight and the pace you plan to walk, you can get a more personalized estimate.