TRAVELDISTANCE helps spreadsheet users plan trips by finding the distance between two points. This function can calculate the distance for hundreds of address pairs in seconds.
âť—This custom function is only available to users of the Travel Formulas add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Travel Formulas uses Google Maps for you while you stay in your spreadsheet.
Contents
Purpose
The TRAVELDISTANCE function returns the distance between locations.
All Travel Formulas
TRAVELTIME – Returns the trip duration between locations
TRAVELDISTANCE – Finds the trip distance between locations
TRAVELROUTEURL – Returns the link to your route in Google Maps™
TRAVELDIRECTIONS – Provides turn-by-turn directions
Syntax
=TRAVELDISTANCE(origin, destination, mode, unit)
origin – The starting location
destination – The ending location
mode – The mode of travel (“driving”, “walking”, “bicycling”, “transit”) [optional, defaults to driving]
unit – The unit of distance (“mi”, “km”) [optional, defaults to miles]
Examples
Example 1 – Two Addresses
Let’s keep it simple at first and use two cities: one for the origin and the other for the destination.
These locations are just a bit oversimplified. But if Google Maps accepts them, the formulas work! The trip from New York to Los Angeles turns out to be way too long at 2,790 miles.
This function accepts direct input such as “NY” but can also use cell references. We’ll switch to using cell references for the following examples, as they give us more flexibility.
Example 2 – Different Modes
We can evaluate driving, mass transit, biking, and walking. These mileages can be significantly different within the same city. Let’s travel through Chicago using these different modes.
A bike ride is the same distance as driving, while you can take some shortcuts if you walk and save two miles.
Example 3 – Different Units
Let’s say you’re an American but want to use a more logical measurement unit. You can change the formula to use kilometers.
Now, our non-American friends can enjoy some measurements, too.
Example 4 – Different Location Formats
You don’t have to use a city name or full address. Other geolocation methods, such as Plus codes and coordinates, also work, as shown below.
Rows 2 through 6 in the image above use the same locations but different methods to specify them. You can use a city name, a full address, a placename, plus code, or even latitude and longitude.
Conclusion
The TRAVELDISTANCE formula is a versatile tool that helps you plan your trips without leaving Google Sheets.