To The Mars
Sun
Venus
Earth
Mars

The Mars Journey Simulator uses a simplified 2D model (elliptical planetary orbits with Keplerian timing and interpolated transfer arcs). It illustrates mission timing and route topology, not precise navigation solutions.

How long does it take to get to Mars?

To The Mars is your Mars Journey Simulator. Pick a mission profile to see how long it takes to get to Mars: launch window, outbound cruise, time on Mars, and the ride home. Most Earth–Mars trips take about 6–7 months outbound, and total mission time ranges from ~500 to ~920 days depending on the profile you choose. Use the mission selector to preview each path.

How to read these trajectories

The Sun is at the center. Earth, Mars, and Venus follow simplified elliptical orbits with realistic speed changes. When you pick a mission, the spacecraft traces the route: outbound transfer, time at Mars, any Venus flybys, then the return leg to Earth.

Each profile trades total duration, time at Mars, and deep-space cruising. Long-stay conjunction missions use less fuel but keep you away longer. Opposition missions shorten the surface stay but need more energy and often a longer or hotter return.

Mars travel time by mission profile

Travel time depends on your transfer path and how long you stay before heading home. The Mars Journey Simulator compares the main options:

  • Conjunction-class: ~210 days outbound, ~500 days at Mars, ~210 days return (about 920 days total).
  • Opposition (direct): ~180 days outbound, ~40 days at Mars, ~430 days return (about 650 days total).
  • Opposition + Venus flyby: ~180 days outbound, short Mars stay, ~260 days to Venus, ~170 days back (about 655 days total).
  • Mars + Venus double stop: ~200 days outbound, short stays at Mars and Venus, ~120 days back (about 600 days total).

Launch windows come every ~26 months, and your chosen return arc shapes most of the travel time. Use the selector to see how each profile answers “how long does it take to get to Mars?” in detail.

Mars Travel 101

How far is Mars?
Distance swings from ~55 million km (closest approach) to ~400 million km (solar conjunction). That shift changes communication delay from about 3 to 22 minutes.
What is LEO?
LEO stands for Low Earth Orbit, typically 160–2,000 km above Earth. Reaching LEO takes about 9.4 km/s of delta-v and is the first major step before heading to Mars.
How much Δv from Earth to LEO to a Mars transfer?
Add them stage by stage: ~9.4 km/s to reach LEO, then ~3.6 km/s for trans-Mars injection. In practice each stage has its own mass and engine, so you size fuel per stage with the rocket equation and sum the Δv budget (~13 km/s total).
Why every 26 months?
Earth and Mars line up for efficient transfers roughly every 26 months. Outside that window you pay a heavy fuel penalty to make the trip.
What is a Hohmann Transfer?
It's an elliptical path that links two circular orbits in the same plane using minimal propellant. Spacecraft burn once to leave the first orbit and once to capture into the second.
Why is the return so long?
For a low-energy return, you wait at Mars until Earth swings back into the right spot. On conjunction missions this “stay” is about 500 days.
Opposition vs. Conjunction?
Conjunction missions are long-stay (900+ days) but fuel-efficient. Opposition missions are short-stay (30–60 days) but need higher energy and often a Venus flyby to get home.
What happens if I add more crew?
Dry mass (ship + crew + items + food) grows, so fuel needs rise exponentially for the same Δv. Add people and you must recalc dry mass and fuel for each maneuver.
Can I model multi-stage rockets or multiple burns?
This model is single-stage, single-burn. For staging or multiple burns, calculate each stage with its own dry mass, Isp, and Δv target, then combine the results.