Adult kangaroos can reach about 40–45 mph (around 65–72 km/h) in short bursts, with a more typical fast cruising speed around 20–25 mph (32–40 km/h).

Quick Scoop

Kangaroos are built for speed , using powerful back legs and a long tail to hop efficiently across open ground. Red kangaroos, the largest species, are generally considered the fastest of the group.

How fast do kangaroos run?

  • Comfortable traveling (cruising) speed: around 20–25 mph (32–40 km/h).
  • Short-burst top speed reported for red kangaroos: roughly 40–45 mph (about 65–72 km/h).
  • They can maintain moderate high speeds (around 25 mph or 40 km/h) for distances of about 1–2 km.

How they move so efficiently

Kangaroos’ tendons in their hind legs act like springs, storing energy on each landing and releasing it for the next hop. This spring-like system means they use relatively less extra energy as they speed up within their normal hopping range.

Fun context and comparisons

  • A fast human sprinter can briefly reach close to 28 mph (about 45 km/h), which is in the same range as a kangaroo’s top speed, but kangaroos cruise comfortably at speeds many people could not sustain.
  • Their long bounding strides can cover several meters in a single hop, letting them cross open Australian landscapes quickly in search of food and water.

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