Sailing Time Calculator
How long will it take by narrowboat? Enter two points on the canal network and we'll calculate the distance, count the locks, and estimate your sailing time.
Starting Point
Destination
How we calculate
Cruising speed: 4 km/h (walking pace) — the maximum speed on most UK canals.
Lock time: 15 minutes per lock — includes approach, operation, and clearing.
Distance: Measured along the actual canal route, not straight-line. The canal bends and winds, so the real distance is always longer than "as the crow flies".
Note: Estimates are for single-canal journeys. Cross-canal routes (via junctions) are not yet supported — we show the straight-line distance instead.
Actual sailing time varies based on conditions, stoppages, and your boat. Use these estimates as a rough guide.