August 17, 2026

20 Time, Speed and Distance MCQs with Answers

Time Speed and Distance MCQs

Time, Speed and Distance is one of the most important topics in quantitative aptitude and commonly appears in placement tests, competitive examinations, recruitment assessments, and entrance tests. These questions test your understanding of speed calculations, unit conversion, average speed, relative speed, trains, and journey-time relationships.

This practice set contains 20 original Time, Speed and Distance MCQs with answers and detailed solutions. The questions begin with basic concepts and gradually move toward trains, relative speed, and multi-stage journeys.

📚 Want to practice more aptitude topics? Visit our [Free Aptitude Tests and MCQs for Placements, Competitive Exams and Interview Preparation] page for topic-wise tests covering Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Computer Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and placement preparation.

Try to answer all 20 questions before checking the solutions.

Answers and detailed explanations are provided after Question 20.

Time, Speed and Distance MCQ Test

Question 1

A car travels 360 km in 6 hours. What is its average speed?

A. 50 km/h
B. 55 km/h
C. 60 km/h
D. 65 km/h

Question 2

Convert 72 km/h into metres per second.

A. 18 m/s
B. 20 m/s
C. 22 m/s
D. 25 m/s

Question 3

Convert 15 m/s into kilometres per hour.

A. 48 km/h
B. 50 km/h
C. 54 km/h
D. 60 km/h

Question 4

Juhi travels at a speed of 48 km/h for 2.5 hours. What distance does she cover?

A. 100 km
B. 110 km
C. 120 km
D. 125 km

Question 5

Cherry travels 210 km at a constant speed of 70 km/h. How long does the journey take?

A. 2 hours
B. 2.5 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 3.5 hours

Question 6

A person travels the same distance at 60 km/h and 40 km/h. What is the average speed for the complete journey?

A. 45 km/h
B. 48 km/h
C. 50 km/h
D. 52 km/h

Question 7

Charlie travels for 2 hours at 50 km/h and then for another 2 hours at 70 km/h. What is the average speed for the entire journey?

A. 55 km/h
B. 58 km/h
C. 60 km/h
D. 62 km/h

Question 8

A train 180 metres long travels at 54 km/h. How many seconds will it take to pass a pole?

A. 10 seconds
B. 12 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 18 seconds

Question 9

A train 150 metres long travels at 72 km/h. How long will it take to completely cross a platform 250 metres long?

A. 15 seconds
B. 18 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 25 seconds

Question 10

Two cars start from two cities 180 km apart and travel toward each other at 54 km/h and 36 km/h. After how many hours will they meet?

A. 1.5 hours
B. 2 hours
C. 2.5 hours
D. 3 hours

Question 11

Two vehicles travel in the same direction at 72 km/h and 54 km/h. If the faster vehicle is 45 km behind the slower vehicle, how long will it take to catch up?

A. 2 hours
B. 2.5 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 3.5 hours

Question 12

If the speed of a vehicle is increased by 25%, by what percentage will the time required for the same journey decrease?

A. 15%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%

Question 13

Nyra walks at 5 km/h. How far will she travel in 24 minutes?

A. 1.5 km
B. 2 km
C. 2.5 km
D. 3 km

Question 14

A car covers 120 km at 40 km/h and another 120 km at 60 km/h. What is its average speed for the entire journey?

A. 45 km/h
B. 48 km/h
C. 50 km/h
D. 52 km/h

Question 15

A traveller covers one-third of a journey at 30 km/h and the remaining two-thirds at 60 km/h. What is the average speed for the whole journey?

A. 40 km/h
B. 42 km/h
C. 45 km/h
D. 48 km/h

Question 16

If the speed of a vehicle is reduced by 25%, by what percentage does the time required for the same journey increase?

A. 25%
B. 30%
C. (33\frac{1}{3})%
D. 40%

Question 17

A train 240 metres long crosses a platform 360 metres long in 30 seconds. What is the speed of the train?

A. 60 km/h
B. 66 km/h
C. 72 km/h
D. 75 km/h

Question 18

Two trains 120 metres and 180 metres long move toward each other at 54 km/h and 36 km/h respectively. How long will they take to completely cross each other?

A. 10 seconds
B. 12 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 18 seconds

Question 19

A person reaches a destination 30 minutes earlier when travelling at 50 km/h instead of 40 km/h. What is the distance to the destination?

A. 80 km
B. 90 km
C. 100 km
D. 120 km

Question 20

A journey normally takes 4 hours at 60 km/h. If the speed is increased by 20%, how much time will be saved?

A. 30 minutes
B. 40 minutes
C. 45 minutes
D. 48 minutes

Answers and Detailed Solutions

Answer 1: C — 60 km/h

The basic formula is:

[
\text{Speed}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}
]

Therefore:

[
\text{Speed}=\frac{360}{6}
]

[
=60\text{ km/h}
]

Correct Answer: 60 km/h

Answer 2: B — 20 m/s

To convert km/h into m/s:

[
\text{Multiply by }\frac{5}{18}
]

Therefore:

[
72\times\frac{5}{18}
]

[
=4\times5
]

[
=20\text{ m/s}
]

Correct Answer: 20 m/s

Answer 3: C — 54 km/h

To convert m/s into km/h:

[
\text{Multiply by }\frac{18}{5}
]

Therefore:

[
15\times\frac{18}{5}
]

[
=3\times18
]

[
=54\text{ km/h}
]

Correct Answer: 54 km/h

Answer 4: C — 120 km

Use:

[
\text{Distance}=\text{Speed}\times\text{Time}
]

Therefore:

[
48\times2.5
]

[
=120
]

Hence:

Correct Answer: 120 km

Answer 5: C — 3 hours

Use:

[
\text{Time}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}
]

Therefore:

[
\frac{210}{70}=3
]

Hence:

Correct Answer: 3 hours

Answer 6: B — 48 km/h

When equal distances are travelled at two different speeds, the average speed is:

[
\frac{2xy}{x+y}
]

Here:

[
x=60,\quad y=40
]

Therefore:

[
\frac{2\times60\times40}{60+40}
]

[
=\frac{4800}{100}
]

[
=48
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 48 km/h

Answer 7: C — 60 km/h

Charlie travels for equal amounts of time at 50 km/h and 70 km/h.

Distance during first 2 hours:

[
50\times2=100\text{ km}
]

Distance during next 2 hours:

[
70\times2=140\text{ km}
]

Total distance:

[
100+140=240\text{ km}
]

Total time:

[
4\text{ hours}
]

Average speed:

[
\frac{240}{4}=60\text{ km/h}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 60 km/h

Answer 8: B — 12 seconds

Train length:

180 m

Speed:

54 km/h

Convert speed into m/s:

[
54\times\frac{5}{18}
]

[
=15\text{ m/s}
]

When passing a pole, the train covers only its own length.

Therefore:

[
\text{Time}=\frac{180}{15}
]

[
=12\text{ seconds}
]

Correct Answer: 12 seconds

Answer 9: C — 20 seconds

Train length:

150 m

Platform length:

250 m

Total distance to completely cross the platform:

[
150+250=400\text{ m}
]

Train speed:

72 km/h

Convert to m/s:

[
72\times\frac{5}{18}=20\text{ m/s}
]

Time:

[
\frac{400}{20}
]

[
=20\text{ seconds}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 20 seconds

Answer 10: B — 2 hours

When two vehicles move toward each other, their relative speed is the sum of their speeds.

[
54+36=90\text{ km/h}
]

Distance between them:

180 km

Time:

[
\frac{180}{90}=2
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 2 hours

Answer 11: B — 2.5 hours

Both vehicles move in the same direction.

Relative speed:

[
72-54=18\text{ km/h}
]

Initial distance between them:

45 km

Time to catch up:

[
\frac{45}{18}
]

[
=2.5\text{ hours}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 2.5 hours

Answer 12: B — 20%

Assume original speed = 100 units.

New speed after a 25% increase:

[
125
]

For the same distance, time is inversely proportional to speed.

New time:

[
\frac{100}{125}
]

of the original time.

[
=0.8
]

Therefore, the new time is 80% of the original.

Reduction:

[
100%-80%=20%
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 20%

Answer 13: B — 2 km

Speed:

5 km/h

Time:

24 minutes

Convert minutes to hours:

[
24\text{ minutes}=\frac{24}{60}\text{ hour}
]

[
=0.4\text{ hour}
]

Distance:

[
5\times0.4=2\text{ km}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 2 km

Answer 14: B — 48 km/h

First distance:

120 km at 40 km/h.

Time:

[
\frac{120}{40}=3\text{ hours}
]

Second distance:

120 km at 60 km/h.

Time:

[
\frac{120}{60}=2\text{ hours}
]

Total distance:

[
120+120=240\text{ km}
]

Total time:

[
3+2=5\text{ hours}
]

Average speed:

[
\frac{240}{5}=48\text{ km/h}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 48 km/h

Answer 15: C — 45 km/h

Let the total journey be 180 km.

One-third:

[
\frac{1}{3}\times180=60\text{ km}
]

Remaining distance:

[
120\text{ km}
]

Time for first 60 km at 30 km/h:

[
\frac{60}{30}=2\text{ hours}
]

Time for remaining 120 km at 60 km/h:

[
\frac{120}{60}=2\text{ hours}
]

Total time:

[
4\text{ hours}
]

Total distance:

180 km

Average speed:

[
\frac{180}{4}=45\text{ km/h}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 45 km/h

Answer 16: C — (33\frac{1}{3})% increase

Assume original speed = 100 units.

After a 25% reduction:

[
100-25=75
]

For the same distance, time is inversely proportional to speed.

New time relative to old time:

[
\frac{100}{75}
]

[
=\frac{4}{3}
]

Therefore, time becomes:

[
133\frac{1}{3}%
]

of the original.

Increase:

[
33\frac{1}{3}%
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: (33\frac{1}{3})%

Answer 17: C — 72 km/h

Train length:

240 m

Platform length:

360 m

Total distance covered while completely crossing:

[
240+360=600\text{ m}
]

Time:

30 seconds

Speed:

[
\frac{600}{30}
]

[
=20\text{ m/s}
]

Convert to km/h:

[
20\times\frac{18}{5}
]

[
=72\text{ km/h}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 72 km/h

Answer 18: B — 12 seconds

Total length of both trains:

[
120+180=300\text{ m}
]

Since they move toward each other, add their speeds.

[
54+36=90\text{ km/h}
]

Convert into m/s:

[
90\times\frac{5}{18}
]

[
=25\text{ m/s}
]

Time:

[
\frac{300}{25}
]

[
=12\text{ seconds}
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 12 seconds

Answer 19: C — 100 km

Let the distance be (D) km.

Time at 40 km/h:

[
\frac{D}{40}
]

Time at 50 km/h:

[
\frac{D}{50}
]

Difference in time:

30 minutes

[
=\frac{1}{2}\text{ hour}
]

Therefore:

[
\frac{D}{40}-\frac{D}{50}=\frac{1}{2}
]

LCM of 40 and 50 is 200.

[
\frac{5D-4D}{200}=\frac{1}{2}
]

[
\frac{D}{200}=\frac{1}{2}
]

Therefore:

[
D=100
]

Hence:

Correct Answer: 100 km

Answer 20: B — 40 minutes

Original speed:

60 km/h

Original time:

4 hours

Distance:

[
60\times4=240\text{ km}
]

Speed increases by 20%.

New speed:

[
60\times1.20=72\text{ km/h}
]

New time:

[
\frac{240}{72}
]

[
=3\frac{1}{3}\text{ hours}
]

Original time:

4 hours

Time saved:

[
4-3\frac{1}{3}
]

[
=\frac{2}{3}\text{ hour}
]

Convert into minutes:

[
\frac{2}{3}\times60=40
]

Therefore:

Correct Answer: 40 minutes

Quick Answer Key

Question	Answer	Question	Answer
1	C	11	B
2	B	12	B
3	C	13	B
4	C	14	B
5	C	15	C
6	B	16	C
7	C	17	C
8	B	18	B
9	C	19	C
10	B	20	B

How Did You Score?

Correct Answers	Performance
18–20	Excellent — You have a strong understanding of Time, Speed and Distance.
15–17	Very Good — Your concepts are clear; practice train and relative-speed problems.
11–14	Good — Review average speed, unit conversion, and speed-time relationships.
6–10	Needs Practice — Revise the basic distance-speed-time formulas and attempt the test again.
0–5	Beginner — Start with simple speed, distance, and time calculations before moving to advanced questions.

Important Time, Speed and Distance Formulas

Speed

[
\text{Speed}

\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}
]

Distance

[
\text{Distance}

\text{Speed}\times\text{Time}
]

Time

[
\text{Time}

\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}
]

A useful relationship is:

Distance = Speed × Time

Converting km/h to m/s

Use:

[
1\text{ km/h}=\frac{5}{18}\text{ m/s}
]

Therefore:

[
\text{Speed in m/s}

\text{Speed in km/h}\times\frac{5}{18}
]

Example:

[
72\times\frac{5}{18}=20\text{ m/s}
]

Converting m/s to km/h

Use:

[
1\text{ m/s}=\frac{18}{5}\text{ km/h}
]

Therefore:

[
\text{Speed in km/h}

\text{Speed in m/s}\times\frac{18}{5}
]

Average Speed

Average speed is:

[
\text{Average Speed}

\frac{\text{Total Distance}}
{\text{Total Time}}
]

Do not simply average two speeds unless the times travelled at those speeds are equal.

Average Speed for Equal Distances

If equal distances are travelled at speeds (x) and (y):

[
\text{Average Speed}

\frac{2xy}{x+y}
]

For example, for 60 km/h and 40 km/h:

[
\frac{2\times60\times40}{60+40}
=48\text{ km/h}
]

Relative Speed

Moving in Opposite Directions

Add the speeds:

[
\text{Relative Speed}=x+y
]

For example:

54 km/h and 36 km/h:

[
54+36=90\text{ km/h}
]

Moving in the Same Direction

Subtract the speeds:

[
\text{Relative Speed}=x-y
]

where (x>y).

For example:

72 km/h and 54 km/h:

[
72-54=18\text{ km/h}
]

Train Passing a Pole

When a train passes a pole, tree, or stationary person, the distance covered is simply the length of the train.

Therefore:

[
\text{Time}

\frac{\text{Train Length}}
{\text{Train Speed}}
]

Make sure speed is converted into metres per second if train length is measured in metres.

Train Crossing a Platform

When a train completely crosses a platform:

[
\text{Distance}

\text{Train Length}
+
\text{Platform Length}
]

Then:

[
\text{Time}

\frac{\text{Total Distance}}
{\text{Speed}}
]

Two Trains Crossing Each Other

The distance to be covered is:

[
\text{Length of Train 1}
+
\text{Length of Train 2}
]

If they move toward each other, use the sum of their speeds as relative speed.

If they move in the same direction, use the difference of their speeds.

Speed and Time Are Inversely Proportional

For the same distance:

[
\text{Speed}\propto\frac{1}{\text{Time}}
]

This means:

Higher speed → Lower time

and:

Lower speed → Higher time

For example, if speed increases by 25%:

New speed:

[
125%
]

New time:

[
\frac{100}{125}=80%
]

Therefore time decreases by:

[
20%
]

A Common Average-Speed Mistake

Suppose a person travels:

120 km at 40 km/h

and:

120 km at 60 km/h.

It may seem tempting to calculate:

[
\frac{40+60}{2}=50
]

But this is incorrect because the person spends different amounts of time at the two speeds.

The correct calculation is:

First time:

[
120\div40=3\text{ hours}
]

Second time:

[
120\div60=2\text{ hours}
]

Total distance:

240 km

Total time:

5 hours

Average speed:

[
240\div5=48\text{ km/h}
]

Topics Covered in This Test

This Time, Speed and Distance practice test covered:

Basic speed calculations
Distance calculations
Time calculations
km/h to m/s conversion
m/s to km/h conversion
Average speed
Equal-distance journeys
Relative speed
Same-direction motion
Opposite-direction motion
Train and pole problems
Train and platform problems
Two-train problems
Speed increase and time reduction
Speed reduction and time increase
Multi-stage journeys

These concepts also provide a foundation for Trains, Boats and Streams, Races, and advanced relative-speed problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic formula for Time, Speed and Distance?

The basic relationship is:

[
\text{Distance}

\text{Speed}\times\text{Time}
]

From this relationship, we can obtain the formulas for speed and time.

How do I convert km/h into m/s?

Multiply by:

[
\frac{5}{18}
]

For example:

[
54\text{ km/h}

54\times\frac{5}{18}

15\text{ m/s}
]

How do I convert m/s into km/h?

Multiply by:

[
\frac{18}{5}
]

What is average speed?

Average speed is:

[
\frac{\text{Total Distance}}
{\text{Total Time}}
]

It should not normally be calculated by simply averaging the individual speeds.

What is relative speed?

Relative speed describes how quickly the distance between two moving objects changes.

When objects move toward each other, add their speeds.

When they move in the same direction, subtract the slower speed from the faster speed.

How do I solve train questions?

Identify the total distance the train must cover.

For a pole:

Train length only

For a platform:

Train length + platform length

For another train:

Length of both trains combined

Then divide the required distance by relative speed.

Are Time, Speed and Distance questions important for placement tests?

Yes. They are a common part of quantitative aptitude and also form the basis for questions involving trains, boats, races, and relative motion.

Conclusion

Time, Speed and Distance questions become much easier once you understand the fundamental relationship:

Distance = Speed × Time

The main challenge in advanced questions is usually identifying the correct:

distance,
time,
unit,
average speed, or
relative speed.

Pay particular attention to unit conversion and remember that average speed depends on total distance and total time, not simply on the arithmetic mean of different speeds.

For train problems, determine the complete distance that must pass a fixed point, platform, or another train before applying the speed-time formula.

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Reply

20 Time, Speed and Distance MCQs with Answers

Time Speed and Distance MCQs

Time, Speed and Distance MCQ Test

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20

Answers and Detailed Solutions

Answer 1: C — 60 km/h

Answer 2: B — 20 m/s

Answer 3: C — 54 km/h

Answer 4: C — 120 km

Answer 5: C — 3 hours

Answer 6: B — 48 km/h

Answer 7: C — 60 km/h

Answer 8: B — 12 seconds

Answer 9: C — 20 seconds

Answer 10: B — 2 hours

Answer 11: B — 2.5 hours

Answer 12: B — 20%

Answer 13: B — 2 km

Answer 14: B — 48 km/h

Answer 15: C — 45 km/h

Answer 16: C — (33\frac{1}{3})% increase

Answer 17: C — 72 km/h

Answer 18: B — 12 seconds

Answer 19: C — 100 km

Answer 20: B — 40 minutes

Quick Answer Key

How Did You Score?

Important Time, Speed and Distance Formulas

Speed

[\text{Speed}

Distance

[\text{Distance}

Time

[\text{Time}

Converting km/h to m/s

[\text{Speed in m/s}

Converting m/s to km/h

[\text{Speed in km/h}

Average Speed

[\text{Average Speed}

Average Speed for Equal Distances

[\text{Average Speed}

Relative Speed

Moving in Opposite Directions

Moving in the Same Direction

Train Passing a Pole

[\text{Time}

Train Crossing a Platform

[\text{Distance}

[\text{Time}

Two Trains Crossing Each Other

Speed and Time Are Inversely Proportional

A Common Average-Speed Mistake

Topics Covered in This Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic formula for Time, Speed and Distance?

[\text{Distance}

How do I convert km/h into m/s?

[54\text{ km/h}

54\times\frac{5}{18}

How do I convert m/s into km/h?

[
\text{Speed}

[
\text{Distance}

[
\text{Time}

[
\text{Speed in m/s}

[
\text{Speed in km/h}

[
\text{Average Speed}

[
\text{Average Speed}

[
\text{Time}

[
\text{Distance}

[
\text{Time}

[
\text{Distance}

[
54\text{ km/h}