Brisk walking is one of the most accessible, low-impact workout options that exist. Whether you’re doing those miles on a treadmill or in the great outdoors, walking at a brisk pace is a great way to burn calories for weight loss while achieving a myriad of health benefits. A 3 mile walk burns between 210 and 360 calories depending on your weight. But how long does it take to walk 3 miles? The answer depends on several variables. Let’s investigate.
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How Long Will It Take To Walk 3 Miles
Walking outside and walking on a treadmill will take about the same amount of time to cover a set distance. However, walking on a treadmill allows you to monitor the variables more accurately. So, as we consider the time it will take to walk three miles, we’ll focus on the treadmill. Read our guide for cleaning your treadmill belt in a proper way.

Here are the things that will affect how long it takes you to walk 3 miles on a treadmill:
- Your speed
- Your weight
- Your age
- Your incline
Speed
The biggest variable in determining how long it will take to walk 3 miles will be your speed. While the other factors will also influence your time, we can get some guidelines based on an average person who weighs 170lbs and is 35 years of age. The person is also walking on a zero incline.
Speed
3 Mile Time
2.5 mph
One hour 12 mins
3 mph
One hour
3.5 mph
51 mins
4 mph
45 mins
Weight
The next variable to consider is your weight. The heavier you are, the longer it will take you to travel 3 miles. That’s because your leg muscles will have a greater workload, as will your heart and lungs. Love cycling? Check out our review of Best Elliptical Bike Combo Machines to choose the best cycling equipment for yourself.
Age
Age is another factor that determines how long it will take to walk three miles. A 2011 study revealed that, for every year over the age of 60, participants took an extra 1.2 minutes to cover a kilometer (.62 miles). This needs to be factored into the numbers in the chart to determine your actual time if you are over 60.
Incline
The incline that you set the treadmill at will also affect the answer to the question of “how long does it take to walk 3 miles”. When you increase the incline, the exercise becomes more intense, leading to a slower pace. Your leg muscles will have to work harder and your calves will fatigue faster. However, whether in average or good shape you will burn more calories and build more muscle and strength when you walk on an incline.
The average speed of walking does not significantly affect the number of calories burned. You also get the same health benefits from walking at a leisurely pace and jogging the same distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walking 3 Miles In An Hour Good?
Yes, walking three miles in an hour is quite good. An average walking speed of 3 miles per hour is what you would expect for a person aged between 20 and 49 years of age. If you are between 50 and 60, 3 miles per hour s slightly above average and for those aged between 60 and 70, a pace of 3 miles per hour indicates quite a brisk walk speed.
Is It Good To Walk 3 Miles A Day?
Yes, it is good to walk three miles per day. As we’ve seen, most people will take around an hour to walk 3 miles. That equates to 7 hours of cardio exercise per week, which is significantly more than the CDC recommendation of two and a half hours per week to improve your fitness level. You may, however, wish to do a little less time spent walking and include other exercises such as calisthenics, plyometrics or strength training.
How Many Calories Do You Burn Walking 3 Miles?
The number of calories that you burn by walking three miles depends on your weight. As a general guide, a person who weighs 180 pounds will burn a hundred calories for every mile they walk. That works out to 300 calories for a 3 miles walk. A 120-pound person will burn 65 calories per hour. This person will burn 195 calories after a 3 mile walk.
Will Walking 3 Miles A Day Tone My Legs?
Walking three miles a day will help to tone your legs. Toning actually means to lose body fat and build muscle. Walking will help to do both. You will lose weight by burning calories, though this will come from all over the body and not the legs exclusively. You will also build a degree of strength and muscle but this will be limited because there is no progressive resistance (i.e. the weight your legs are carrying doesn’t increase).
Conclusion
So, how long does it take to walk 3 miles? Generally between 45 minutes and 1 hour 12 minutes, depending on your weight and walking speed, how much walking you are used to, and whether you’re doing those miles on a treadmill. At an average walking speed of 3 miles per hour, you’ll get the job done in an hour. Uphill walking will take a little longer. Either way, you’ll enjoy plenty of health benefits from talking up walking as part of your regular exercise habit.