🗺️CityToCityDistance

Barcelona to Madrid Distance

388 miles•625 km•6 hours

Driving distance and route information from Barcelona, Spainto Madrid, Spain. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

388.24 mi
(624.81 km)
⏱️6h 3m
Via E-90 → B-23 → A-2 → Z-40
E-90 → B-23
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

433.14 mi
(697.07 km)
⏱️6h 39m
Via C-32 → A-7 → E-15 → A-3
C-32 → A-7
💰 Tolls
📏 Straight-line distance: 314 miles (506 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Barcelona to Madrid

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
388 mi
625 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
6 hours
360 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
52 L
$78 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointBarcelona, Catalonia
DestinationMadrid, Community of Madrid
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed104 km/h
Straight-line Distance506 km
Route Efficiency81%
Toll RoadsYes - Budget required
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Barcelona to Madrid

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route388 mi (625 km)6 hours103 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1433 mi (697 km)6.6 hours105 km/h✅ Yes

Complete Journey Overview: Barcelona to Madrid

The road journey from Barcelona to Madrid spans approximately 388 miles (625 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 6 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Catalonia, Spain with Community of Madrid, Spain, traversing through various regions within Spain. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Barcelona to Madrid follows the E-90 → B-23 → A-2 → Z-40 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 104 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 16 gallons (52 liters) of fuel for this 388 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 6.9 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$54
Toll Costs$19
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$97
Total Trip Cost$171

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

6 hours

388 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.6 hours flight

506 km direct

🚌

By Bus

7.8 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Barcelona

View all distances from Barcelona →

More routes from Madrid

View all distances from Madrid →

Barcelona to Madrid - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Barcelona to Madrid?
The driving distance from Barcelona to Madrid is 388 miles (625 km) by the fastest route, which follows E-90 → B-23 → A-2 → Z-40. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 506 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Barcelona to Madrid?
The drive from Barcelona to Madrid takes approximately 6h 3m of continuous driving at an average speed of 104 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 6.9 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Barcelona to Madrid?
The fastest driving route from Barcelona to Madrid is 388 miles (625 km) via E-90 → B-23 → A-2 → Z-40, taking about 6h 3m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Barcelona to Madrid?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Barcelona and Madrid. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Barcelona to Madrid include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Barcelona to Madrid stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Barcelona to Madrid?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 13 gallons (52 liters) of fuel for the 388-mile (625-km) drive from Barcelona to Madrid. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $46 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Barcelona to Madrid?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Barcelona as the origin and Madrid as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.