Cities Near Chelmsford
Cities near Chelmsford, UK: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Braintree, Brentwood, Basildon. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Chelmsford, UK is Braintree, about 10 mi (17 km) away — roughly 35 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braintree | 10 mi / 17 km | 35 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Brentwood | 11 mi / 17 km | 36 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Basildon | 12 mi / 19 km | 39 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Harlow | 16 mi / 25 km | 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Southend-on-Sea | 17 mi / 28 km | 33 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Dagenham | 18 mi / 29 km | 35 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Grays | 19 mi / 31 km | 37 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Colchester | 21 mi / 34 km | 41 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Cheshunt | 22 mi / 35 km | 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Gillingham | 24 mi / 39 km | 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Chelmsford
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Braintree, Brentwood, Basildon, Harlow, Southend-on-Sea. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Chelmsford include Braintree, Brentwood, Basildon, Harlow, Southend-on-Sea. The closest is Braintree, about 10 miles (17 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.