🗺️CityToCityDistance

Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam Distance

518 miles•833 km•17.4 hours

Driving distance and route information from Nairobi, Kenyato Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

517.68 mi
(833.12 km)
⏱️17h 23m
Via A8 → C102 → T2 → T35
A8 → C102
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

584.64 mi
(940.89 km)
⏱️19h 29m
Via A8 → A7 → T13 → T2
A8 → A7
📏 Straight-line distance: 418 miles (673 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
518 mi
833 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
17.4 hours
1044 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
69 L
$104 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointNairobi, Nairobi County
DestinationDar es-Salaam, Coastal Zone
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed2+ countries
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed48 km/h
Straight-line Distance673 km
Route Efficiency81%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route518 mi (833 km)17.4 hours48 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1585 mi (941 km)19.5 hours48 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam

The road journey from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam spans approximately 518 miles (833 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 17.4 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Nairobi County, Kenya with Coastal Zone, Tanzania, traversing across international borders between Kenya and Tanzania. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam follows the A8 → C102 → T2 → T35 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 48 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals. Travelers also cross the international border from Kenya into Tanzania; allow time for customs and ensure passports are valid.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 21 gallons (69 liters) of fuel for this 518 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: 20 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)$72
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$129
Total Trip Cost$202

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

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

17.4 hours

518 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.8 hours flight

673 km direct

🚌

By Bus

22.6 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Nairobi

View all distances from Nairobi →

More routes from Dar es-Salaam

View all distances from Dar es-Salaam →

Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
The driving distance from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam is 518 miles (833 km) by the fastest route, which follows A8 → C102 → T2 → T35. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 673 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 Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
The drive from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam takes approximately 17h 23m of continuous driving at an average speed of 48 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 20 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
The fastest driving route from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam is 518 miles (833 km) via A8 → C102 → T2 → T35, taking about 17h 23m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Nairobi and Dar es-Salaam. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam 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 Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 17 gallons (69 liters) of fuel for the 518-mile (833-km) drive from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $60 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Nairobi to Dar es-Salaam?
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 Nairobi as the origin and Dar es-Salaam as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.