Jupiter is not a fixed distance away: it ranges from about 588–968 million kilometers (365–601 million miles) from Earth as both planets move in their orbits. On average, Jupiter is about 715 million kilometers (444 million miles) from Earth.

Quick Scoop: Core Facts

  • At closest approach (same side of the Sun), Earth and Jupiter can be around 4.2 astronomical units (AU) apart, which is about 588–628 million kilometers.
  • At their farthest , they can be roughly 6.2 AU apart, around 918–968 million kilometers.
  • On average , the Earth–Jupiter distance is about 715 million kilometers (444 million miles).
  • Jupiter itself orbits about 5.2 AU from the Sun, or roughly 778 million kilometers (484 million miles) away from it.

Why the Distance Changes

  • Both Earth and Jupiter travel in elliptical orbits , so the space between them is always changing rather than staying fixed.
  • When Earth laps Jupiter every ~13 months or so, the distance briefly reaches one of its closer configurations, then grows again as the planets move to opposite sides of the Sun.

Real-Time Distance (Right Now)

  • As of early January 2026, a current-distance tracker reports Jupiter is about 634 million kilometers from Earth, and at that moment it is slowly moving closer.
  • This real-time distance sits in the lower half of the usual range between closest and farthest separation.

Travel Time Perspective

  • Past missions show it takes on the order of about six years for a typical spacecraft trajectory from Earth to Jupiter, depending on launch timing and route.
  • Even with modern rockets, the sheer distance means Jupiter stays a long-term destination rather than a quick trip.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.