🗺️CityToCityDistance

Nairobi to Dar es Salaam Distance

515 miles•829 km•18.4 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

515.2 mi
(829.14 km)
⏱️18h 24m
Via A8 → C102 → T2 → T35
A8 → C102
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

581.78 mi
(936.29 km)
⏱️20h 19m
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
515 mi
829 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
18.4 hours
1104 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 Speed45 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 Route515 mi (829 km)18.4 hours45 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1582 mi (936 km)20.3 hours46 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Nairobi to Dar es Salaam

The road journey from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam spans approximately 515 miles (829 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 18.4 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 45 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 515 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: 21.2 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$201

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

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

18.4 hours

515 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.8 hours flight

673 km direct

🚌

By Bus

23.9 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 515 miles (829 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 18h 24m of continuous driving at an average speed of 45 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 21.2 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 515 miles (829 km) via A8 → C102 → T2 → T35, taking about 18h 24m. 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 515-mile (829-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.