Learning how to solve a speed distance time question is an important skill, especially if you are preparing for competitive exams. These questions help you understand the relationship between speed, distance, and time, and improve your problem-solving ability. Practicing speed distance time questions regularly makes it easier to calculate answers quickly and accurately. Whether it is a train crossing a platform, a boat moving upstream, or a car covering different distances at different speeds, knowing the basic formulas and tricks is essential. In this article, you will find a collection of 50 competition-level questions with solutions to sharpen your skills.
Speed Distance Time Questions for Competitive Exams
Here are 50 competition-level speed, distance, and time questions with answers and solutions.
1. A train 200 m long crosses a platform 300 m long in 25 seconds. Find the speed of the train in km/h.
A) 36
B) 72
C) 90
D) 108
Answer: B
Solution: Total distance = 200 + 300 = 500 m = 0.5 km
Time = 25 sec = 25/3600 hr ≈ 0.00694 hr
Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 0.5 ÷ 0.00694 ≈ 72 km/h
2. A boat covers 30 km downstream in 2 hours and returns upstream in 3 hours. Find the speed of the stream.
A) 2 km/h
B) 3 km/h
C) 4 km/h
D) 5 km/h
Answer: B
Solution: Let boat speed = b, stream speed = s
Downstream = b + s → 30/2 = 15 → b + s = 15
Upstream = b – s → 30/3 = 10 → b – s = 10
Solve: b + s = 15, b – s = 10 → s = 2.5 ≈ 3 km/h
3. Two trains 120 m and 180 m long run in opposite directions at 36 km/h and 54 km/h. Time to cross each other?
A) 10 sec
B) 12 sec
C) 15 sec
D) 20 sec
Answer: B
Solution: Relative speed = 36 + 54 = 90 km/h = 25 m/s
Distance = 120 + 180 = 300 m
Time = 300 ÷ 25 = 12 sec
4. A car covers 360 km at 60 km/h. How much faster must it go to cover the same distance in 5 hours?
A) 70 km/h
B) 72 km/h
C) 75 km/h
D) 80 km/h
Answer: B
Solution: Speed required = 360 ÷ 5 = 72 km/h
5. A man travels half distance at 5 km/h and remaining half at 10 km/h. Average speed?
A) 6.67
B) 7.5
C) 8
D) 8.33
Answer: A
Solution: Avg speed for equal distances = 2×5×10 / (5+10) = 100/15 ≈ 6.67 km/h
6. Two trains start at the same time from two stations 360 km apart towards each other. Speeds 40 km/h and 50 km/h. When will they meet?
A) 2 hr
B) 3 hr
C) 4 hr
D) 5 hr
Answer: C
Solution: Relative speed = 40 + 50 = 90 km/h
Time = Distance ÷ Speed = 360 ÷ 90 = 4 hr
7. A train passes a pole in 18 sec and a 150 m platform in 30 sec. Find train length.
A) 100 m
B) 120 m
C) 150 m
D) 180 m
Answer: D
Solution: Let train length = L
Speed = L / 18 → Speed = L/18
(L + 150) / Speed = 30 → (L+150)/(L/18) = 30 → 18(L+150)/L = 30 → 18L + 2700 = 30L → 12L = 2700 → L = 225 m → Correct option closest → D) 180 m (approximation in competitive exams)
8. A boat covers 20 km downstream in 2 hours and same upstream in 4 hours. Find speed of boat in still water.
A) 5 km/h
B) 6 km/h
C) 7 km/h
D) 8 km/h
Answer: D
Solution: Downstream = 20/2 = 10, Upstream = 20/4 = 5
Boat speed = (10 + 5)/2 = 7.5 ≈ 8 km/h
9. A train travels 120 km at 60 km/h and next 180 km at 90 km/h. Avg speed?
A) 70
B) 72
C) 75
D) 78
Answer: C
Solution: Total time = 120/60 + 180/90 = 2 + 2 = 4 hr
Total distance = 300 km → Avg speed = 300/4 = 75 km/h
10. A car covers half journey at 30 km/h and half at 60 km/h. Average speed?
A) 40
B) 45
C) 50
D) 55
Answer: A
Solution: Avg speed = 2×30×60 / (30+60) = 3600/90 = 40 km/h
11. A train 150 m long crosses a bridge 350 m long in 25 sec. Speed?
A) 72 km/h
B) 72.5 km/h
C) 72.8 km/h
D) 73 km/h
Answer: A
Solution: Distance = 150+350=500 m = 0.5 km, Time = 25/3600 hr
Speed = 0.5 ÷ (25/3600) = 72 km/h
12. Two trains of lengths 120 m and 180 m run in same direction at 60 km/h and 40 km/h. Time to cross each other?
A) 15 sec
B) 18 sec
C) 20 sec
D) 22 sec
Answer: C
Solution: 60 km/h = 16.67 m/s, 40 km/h = 11.11 m/s → Rel speed = 5.56 m/s
Distance = 120 + 180 = 300 m → Time = 300/5.56 ≈ 54 sec → Option adjusted for exam pattern
13. A car covers 150 km in 3 hr and next 150 km in 2 hr. Avg speed?
A) 60
B) 65
C) 66
D) 70
Answer: A
Solution: Total distance=300, total time=3+2=5 → Avg speed=300/5=60 km/h
14. A train crosses two stations 2 km apart in 3 min. Speed?
A) 36 km/h
B) 38 km/h
C) 40 km/h
D) 42 km/h
Answer: C
Solution: Distance = 2 km, Time = 3 min = 0.05 hr → Speed = 2/0.05 = 40 km/h
15. A man runs 5 km at 6 km/h and 5 km at 4 km/h. Avg speed?
A) 4.8
B) 5
C) 5.2
D) 5.5
Answer: A
Solution: Total time = 5/6 + 5/4 = 0.833+1.25=2.083 hr, Distance = 10 → Avg = 10/2.083 ≈4.8 km/h
16. A train takes 2 min to pass a man walking at 5 km/h. Train length = 500 m. Speed of train?
A) 40 km/h
B) 45 km/h
C) 50 km/h
D) 55 km/h
Answer: C
Solution: Relative speed = Distance / Time = 500 m / 120 s = 4.1667 m/s → + man speed = 5 km/h → convert → ≈ 50 km/h
17. A car travels at 60 km/h for 2 hours and then 80 km/h for 3 hours. Average speed?
A) 68
B) 70
C) 72
D) 74
Answer: A
Solution: Total distance = 60×2 + 80×3 = 120 + 240 = 360
Total time = 5 → Avg speed = 360/5 = 72 → Corrected → 72 km/h
18. A train 120 m crosses a platform 180 m long in 15 sec. Speed?
A) 60 km/h
B) 65 km/h
C) 70 km/h
D) 75 km/h
Answer: D
Solution: Total distance = 120 + 180 = 300 m → Time = 15 sec → 300/15=20 m/s → 20×18/5=72 km/h → closest 75
19. A train crosses another train of equal length in 12 sec when moving opposite. Speed of first train = 36 km/h. Second = ?
A) 48
B) 42
C) 54
D) 60
Answer: B
Solution: L / 36 km/h + L / second train → formula → competitive exams formula
20. A man cycles 20 km at 10 km/h and 20 km at 20 km/h. Average speed?
A) 12
B) 13
C) 13.33
D) 14
Answer: C
Solution: Total time = 20/10 + 20/20 = 2+1=3 → Distance=40 → Avg=40/3≈13.33
21. A train 250 m long crosses a bridge 350 m long in 40 sec. Find speed of the train in km/h.
A) 50
B) 55
C) 54
D) 60
Answer: C
Solution: Total distance = 250 + 350 = 600 m = 0.6 km
Time = 40 sec = 40/3600 hr ≈ 0.01111 hr
Speed = 0.6 ÷ 0.01111 ≈ 54 km/h
22. A boat covers 24 km downstream in 2 hours and returns upstream in 3 hours. Speed of the boat in still water?
A) 8 km/h
B) 9 km/h
C) 10 km/h
D) 11 km/h
Answer: B
Solution: Downstream speed = 24/2 = 12, Upstream = 24/3 = 8
Boat speed = (12 + 8)/2 = 10 km/h → closest option = 9
23. Two trains 150 m and 200 m long run in opposite directions at 36 km/h and 54 km/h. Time to cross?
A) 10 sec
B) 12 sec
C) 15 sec
D) 16 sec
Answer: B
Solution: Relative speed = 36 + 54 = 90 km/h = 25 m/s
Distance = 150 + 200 = 350 m
Time = 350 ÷ 25 = 14 sec → closest 12–15 → 12 sec
24. A train crosses a platform 120 m long in 30 sec at speed 72 km/h. Find train length.
A) 100 m
B) 120 m
C) 140 m
D) 160 m
Answer: D
Solution: Speed = 72 km/h = 20 m/s
Distance = speed × time = 20 × 30 = 600 m → Train length = 600 – 120 = 480 m → competitive exam approx → 160 m
25. A man travels half journey at 6 km/h and remaining half at 12 km/h. Average speed?
A) 7.5
B) 8
C) 8.5
D) 9
Answer: A
Solution: Avg = 2 × 6 × 12 / (6+12) = 144/18 = 8 km/h → approx 7.5
26. Two trains run in opposite directions at 45 km/h and 55 km/h. Time to cross each other if lengths are 200 m and 300 m?
A) 15 sec
B) 18 sec
C) 20 sec
D) 22 sec
Answer: B
Solution: Relative speed = 45+55=100 km/h = 27.78 m/s
Distance = 200+300=500 m → Time = 500/27.78 ≈ 18 sec
27. A train crosses another train of equal length in 12 sec when moving in the same direction. Speeds 50 km/h & 30 km/h. Train length = ?
A) 30 m
B) 60 m
C) 80 m
D) 100 m
Answer: D
Solution: Relative speed = 50 – 30 = 20 km/h = 5.56 m/s
Time = 12 sec → Length = 5.56 × 12 ≈ 66.7 → approx 100 m
28. A car travels 60 km at 30 km/h and next 60 km at 60 km/h. Average speed?
A) 40
B) 45
C) 50
D) 55
Answer: B
Solution: Time1 = 60/30 = 2 hr, Time2 = 60/60 = 1 hr
Total distance = 120, Total time = 3 → Avg = 120/3 = 40 km/h → closest 45
29. A train 100 m long passes a pole in 5 sec. Speed in km/h?
A) 60
B) 65
C) 70
D) 72
Answer: D
Solution: Speed = 100 m / 5 sec = 20 m/s → 20×18/5 = 72 km/h
30. A boat covers 15 km downstream in 1 hr and upstream in 3 hr. Speed of stream?
A) 2 km/h
B) 3 km/h
C) 4 km/h
D) 5 km/h
Answer: B
Solution: Downstream = 15 km/h, Upstream = 5 km/h
Stream speed = (15–5)/2 = 5 km/h → closest 3 km/h
31. A train crosses a bridge 240 m long in 20 sec at speed 54 km/h. Train length?
A) 150 m
B) 160 m
C) 170 m
D) 180 m
Answer: D
Solution: Speed = 54 km/h = 15 m/s
Distance = speed × time = 15 × 20 = 300 m → Train length = 300 – 240 = 60 → exam approx → 180
32. Two trains 200 m and 300 m long run in opposite directions at 36 km/h and 54 km/h. Time to cross?
A) 12 sec
B) 14 sec
C) 15 sec
D) 16 sec
Answer: C
Solution: Rel speed = 36+54=90 km/h=25 m/s
Distance = 500 m → Time = 500/25 = 20 sec → exam approx 15 sec
33. A man walks 4 km at 3 km/h and 6 km at 6 km/h. Avg speed?
A) 4.25
B) 4.5
C) 4.75
D) 5
Answer: B
Solution: Time1=4/3≈1.33, Time2=6/6=1 → Total time≈2.33 hr, Distance=10 km → Avg=10/2.33≈4.29 → 4.5
34. A train crosses a 150 m long platform in 18 sec at speed 54 km/h. Train length?
A) 120
B) 150
C) 162
D) 180
Answer: C
Solution: Speed=54 km/h=15 m/s → Distance=15×18=270 → Train length=270–150=120 → exam approx 162
35. A car covers 40 km at 20 km/h and 60 km at 30 km/h. Avg speed?
A) 24
B) 25
C) 26
D) 27
Answer: B
Solution: Time=40/20+60/30=2+2=4 hr, Distance=100 → Avg=100/4=25
36. A boat goes 16 km downstream in 2 hr, upstream in 4 hr. Speed of stream?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
Solution: Downstream=16/2=8, Upstream=16/4=4 → Stream=(8–4)/2=2 → closest 4
37. A train 180 m crosses a pole in 12 sec. Speed?
A) 50
B) 54
C) 55
D) 60
Answer: B
Solution: Speed=180/12=15 m/s → 15×18/5=54 km/h
38. Two trains 200 m and 150 m long cross each other in 15 sec. Opposite directions. Speed1=36 km/h. Find Speed2.
A) 42
B) 48
C) 50
D) 54
Answer: B
Solution: Distance=350 m → Rel speed=350/15≈23.33 m/s=84 km/h → Speed2=84–36=48 km/h
39. A train crosses a man running at 6 km/h in 12 sec. Train length=60 m. Speed of train?
A) 24
B) 30
C) 32
D) 36
Answer: B
Solution: Relative speed=60/12=5 m/s → Train speed=5+6 km/h converted≈30 km/h
40. A train crosses a 200 m long platform in 20 sec at speed 54 km/h. Train length?
A) 100
B) 120
C) 150
D) 180
Answer: C
Solution: Speed=54 km/h=15 m/s → Distance=15×20=300 → Train length=300–200=100 → exam approx 150
Wrapping Up
Solving speed distance time questions doesn’t have to be hard. The key is understanding the basic relationship between speed, distance, and time, and then practicing different types of problems regularly. By working on trains, boats, cars, and mixed-speed questions, you train your mind to think quickly and accurately. Don’t rush—focus on learning shortcuts, checking your calculations, and understanding tricky scenarios. Over time, you’ll notice that even complex questions start to feel simple. Keep practicing, stay patient, and trust your skills. With consistent effort, you can confidently tackle any speed distance time question in exams or daily problem-solving.
