Driving from Chelmsford to Colchester
Colchester lies 34 km (21 mi) north-east of Chelmsford, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
Driving takes about 31 min without stops, over roughly 42 km (26 mi) of road; add breaks, fuel and any border.
Open Colchester in Google Maps
| Chelmsford | Colchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Population | 111,511 | 130,245 |
| Elevation | 33 m (108 ft) | 29 m (95 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+1 (Europe/London) | UTC+1 (Europe/London) |
| Postal codes | CM1–CM99 | CO1 |
Where to book car hire from Chelmsford to Colchester
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Colchester
Live rooms and prices for Colchester are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Colchester
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Colchester from Chelmsford?
34 km (21 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Chelmsford; by road roughly 42 km (26 mi).
How long does it take to get from Chelmsford to Colchester by car?
About 31 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chelmsford and Colchester?
No, both are on Europe/London at the moment.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.