Introduction
The Tour de France is one of the most iconic cycling races in the world. Every year, hundreds of cyclists take part in this grueling three-week event that covers more than 2,000 miles of terrain throughout France. With its challenging climbs, thrilling sprints, and stunning scenery, the Tour de France has captivated cycling fans for decades.
For those interested in the Tour de France, knowing the distance of the race is essential. Knowing the miles of the Tour de France can help you understand the challenges that riders face each day and appreciate the accomplishments of the riders who make it to the end. In this article, we’ll explore the different stages of the Tour de France and look at the total and average miles of the race.

A Guide to the Distance of the Tour de France
The Tour de France is typically held over a period of three weeks, usually starting in late June or early July. The race consists of 21 stages, each of which covers a different route and terrain. The stages vary in length, with some as short as 100km (62 miles) and others as long as 200km (124 miles). The total length of the race is usually around 3,500km (2,175 miles).
The Tour de France route changes every year, but the stages typically include a mix of flat and mountainous terrain. The flat stages are generally shorter and less challenging than the mountainous stages, which tend to be longer and more difficult. The Tour also includes two individual time trial stages, where riders compete against the clock rather than against other riders.
How Far is the Tour de France?
The exact distance of the Tour de France varies from year to year, depending on the route chosen by the organizers. To get an idea of the distance of the race, it’s helpful to look at the distances of each stage. Here is a breakdown of the approximate distances of the different stages of the Tour de France:
- Flat Stages: 100-200km (62-124 miles)
- Mountain Stages: 150-250km (93-155 miles)
- Time Trials: 40-60km (25-37 miles)
The Long and Winding Road: Exploring the Miles of the Tour de France
To get a better understanding of the miles of the Tour de France, let’s break down the distances of the different stages. Flat stages tend to be the shortest, typically ranging from 100-200km (62-124 miles). These stages are generally less challenging than the mountainous stages, which tend to range from 150-250km (93-155 miles). Finally, the individual time trial stages are usually the shortest, ranging from 40-60km (25-37 miles).
It’s important to note that the distances of the stages may vary from year to year. For example, in 2019, the longest stage was 237km (147 miles), while the shortest stage was just 19km (12 miles). Additionally, some stages may have additional challenges such as steep hills or long climbs that can make them more difficult than the distances suggest.

Breaking Down the Miles of the Tour de France
To get an estimate of the total mileage of the Tour de France, we can add up the distances of all 21 stages. This calculation will give us an approximate total mileage for the race. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the actual mileage of the race may vary slightly depending on the specific route chosen for each year.
In addition to calculating the total mileage of the Tour de France, we can also calculate the average mileage per stage. This figure will give us an idea of how far riders must travel each day during the race. Again, this number may vary slightly depending on the route chosen for each year.
To get an even better understanding of the miles of the Tour de France, we can compare the race to other cycling events. For instance, the Giro d’Italia is another popular cycling race that covers a similar distance to the Tour de France. The Giro d’Italia covers approximately 3,500km (2,175 miles), making it roughly the same length as the Tour de France.

Mapping Out the Miles of the Tour de France
Using maps can be a great way to track the miles of each stage of the Tour de France. Maps can provide an overview of the route and help riders plan their strategy for each stage. They can also help viewers appreciate the difficulty of the course by showing the elevation changes and other obstacles that riders must overcome.
Maps are also useful for analyzing the difficulty of the course based on the miles. For example, a map of the mountainous stages can help show which sections of the course are the most difficult. This information can be especially helpful for riders who are looking to prepare for the Tour de France.
What’s the Mileage of the Tour de France?
Now that we’ve explored the different stages of the Tour de France and examined the distances of each one, let’s calculate the total and average mileage of the race. To do this, we can add up the distances of all 21 stages. This gives us an approximate total mileage for the race of approximately 3,500km (2,175 miles).
We can also calculate the average mileage per stage by dividing the total mileage of the race by the number of stages. This gives us an approximate average mileage per stage of 167km (104 miles). This figure gives us an idea of how far riders must travel each day during the race.
Conclusion
The Tour de France is one of the most iconic cycling races in the world. Knowing the miles of the Tour de France can help viewers understand the challenges faced by riders and appreciate the accomplishments of the athletes who make it to the end. This article provided a comprehensive guide to exploring the miles of the Tour de France, examining the length of the race, the different stages, and the total and average miles of the race.
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