Quick answer · Updated May 2026

How far is Mars from Earth?

The distance between Mars and Earth varies enormously depending on where they are in their orbits. At closest approach (opposition), Mars is about 54.6 million km away. At their farthest, when Mars is on the opposite side of the Sun, the distance reaches about 401 million km. The average distance is roughly 225 million km.

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More detail

• Closest recorded approach: 55.7 million km, August 2003 (the closest in nearly 60,000 years).
• Mars and Earth come into "opposition" — close approach — every roughly 26 months. The next several oppositions: 2025, 2027, 2029.
• Light takes between 3 and 22 minutes to travel from Earth to Mars depending on their relative positions.
• A Hohmann-transfer crewed mission to Mars takes about 6-9 months one way.

Bodies in this category

• EarthTerrestrial Planet
• MarsTerrestrial Planet

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