how long would it take to reach the edge of the observable universe

The edge of the observable universe is about 46.5 billion light-years away, so even at light speed it would take about 46.5 billion years to get there in a simple, non-expanding-universe thought experiment.

Why the real answer is trickier

In our actual expanding universe, that edge is not a destination you can reach in the usual sense. Because space itself expands, regions near the observable boundary can recede faster than a spacecraft or even light can ever close the gap.

Practical takeaway

• At light speed, the travel time is roughly 46.5 billion years in the naive estimate.

• At ordinary spacecraft speeds, the time would be vastly longer; one estimate puts a 65 mph drive at about 480 quadrillion years.

• So the “edge” is best understood as the limit of what we can observe, not a physical wall in space.

One-line version

It would take about 46.5 billion years at light speed in a simplified picture, but in the real universe you can’t actually reach the edge because expansion keeps it out of reach.

TL;DR

The observable universe’s edge is roughly 46.5 billion light-years away, but cosmic expansion means it’s not something you can realistically travel to.