Quick Scoop

It usually takes about 3 days to get to the Moon by spacecraft. Faster flybys can take around 8 hours 35 minutes, while crewed lunar landings have historically taken anywhere from just under 3 days to a little under 5 days depending on the mission path.

What affects the trip

  • Mission type: a flyby is faster than entering lunar orbit or landing.
  • Fuel and trajectory: more efficient routes can take longer but use less fuel.
  • Distance at the time: the Moon’s orbit changes slightly, so the travel distance varies.

Examples

  • Apollo 8: 69 hours 8 minutes to reach lunar orbit.
  • Apollo 11: 4 days, 6 hours, 45 minutes from launch to landing.
  • New Horizons flyby: passed the Moon in 8 hours 35 minutes on its way to Pluto.

If you want, I can also give you a super simple “how long would it take if we drove or walked there” version.

Meta description: A spacecraft usually takes about 3 days to get to the Moon, though exact time depends on the route, fuel, and whether it is flying by, orbiting, or landing.