Dortmund to Essen distance
The distance from Dortmund (Germany) to Essen (Germany) is 35 km by road, with a driving time of about 30 min. The straight-line distance is 31 km (19 miles); Essen lies to the WSW of Dortmund.
Reverse direction: Essen to Dortmund distance — the route is the same.
Travel time comparison
| Mode | Distance | Duration approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Airplane (straight line) | 31 km | 32 min |
| Car (road) | 35 km | 30 min |
Driving distance and time come from OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM), excluding traffic.
Taxi cost for this route
A regular metered taxi from Dortmund to Essen would cost roughly 78–100 € under the municipal tariff, calculated over 35 km by road.
Estimated cost of a regular metered taxi under the municipal tariff (base fare + per-kilometre rate, 2026). Tariffs are set per municipality by ordinance and may differ; only the meter in the vehicle is binding. Not a booking, no guarantee.
Dortmund
Dortmund is located in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
| Coordinates (DMS) | 51° 30′ 48.91″ N, 7° 27′ 55.07″ O |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 51.51 |
| Longitude | 7.47 |
| Region | Nordrhein-Westfalen |
| Country | Germany |
| Population | 603,462 |
Essen
Essen is located in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
| Coordinates (DMS) | 51° 27′ 27.21″ N, 7° 1′ 20.87″ O |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 51.46 |
| Longitude | 7.02 |
| Region | Nordrhein-Westfalen |
| Country | Germany |
| Population | 574,682 |
Midpoint of the route
The geographic midpoint between Dortmund and Essen is at 51.49° N, 7.24° E.
The nearest town is Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen — about 16 km from each city. If you are meeting halfway, that is roughly the place.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Dortmund from Essen?
By car it is 35 km, with a driving time of about 30 min. The straight-line distance between Dortmund and Essen is 31 kilometres (19 miles or 17 nautical miles).
How long does it take to drive from Dortmund to Essen?
The driving distance is 35 km (OpenStreetMap/OSRM); the pure driving time by car is about 30 min (excluding traffic).
In which direction is Essen from Dortmund?
Essen lies to the WSW (259°) as seen from Dortmund.
How long is a flight from Dortmund to Essen?
At a cruising speed of around 800 km/h, the pure flight time for the straight-line distance is about 32 minutes.
How much does a taxi from Dortmund to Essen cost?
Over 35 km by road, a regular metered taxi from Dortmund to Essen would cost roughly 78–100 € under the municipal tariff — base fare plus per-kilometre rate, 2026. Surcharges, waiting time and luggage are not included; only the meter in the vehicle is binding.
Distances from Dortmund
| Destination | By road |
|---|---|
| Dortmund → Bochum | 21 km |
| Dortmund → Herne | 25 km |
| Dortmund → Hagen | 26 km |
| Dortmund → Recklinghausen | 31 km |
| Dortmund → Gelsenkirchen | 36 km |
| Dortmund → Hamm | 42 km |
| Dortmund → Mülheim | 46 km |
| Dortmund → Wuppertal | 48 km |
Distances from Essen
| Destination | By road |
|---|---|
| Essen → Bochum | 16 km |
| Essen → Oberhausen | 16 km |
| Essen → Herne | 20 km |
| Essen → Duisburg | 25 km |
| Essen → Recklinghausen | 30 km |
| Essen → Düsseldorf | 35 km |
| Essen → Wuppertal | 36 km |
| Essen → Krefeld | 40 km |