Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
an hour's drive
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
It's an hour's drive to the elegant old city which he discovered in 1917.
News & Media
From there, it's about an hour's drive to Montappone.
News & Media
It's roughly an hour's drive to the set.
News & Media
It's about an hour's drive from the capital, Maseru.
Formal & Business
And it's all just an hour's drive from Reno.
News & Media
It's 80 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street, or an hour's drive from Stansted airport.
News & Media
Rovaniemi is an hour's drive.
News & Media
(The ocean was an hour's drive away).
News & Media
Denver is less than an hour's drive.
News & Media
Damascus is an hour's drive away.
News & Media
Ususally under an hour's drive to York.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "an hour's drive", ensure the context clearly indicates the starting and ending points of the journey to avoid ambiguity. Providing additional details, such as landmarks or city names, can enhance clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "a hour's drive" instead of "an hour's drive". The correct article depends on the sound of the following word; use "an" before vowel sounds.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Adverbial modifier. The phrase "an hour's drive" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the distance between two locations in terms of driving time. It provides context to the distance, indicating convenience or remoteness.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "an hour's drive" is a very common and grammatically sound way to describe the distance between two places based on driving time. It functions as an adverbial modifier, serving a descriptive and informative purpose. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Ludwig's examples confirm that it is a practical and easily understood expression of distance. Remember to use "an" before "hour" and ensure clarity regarding the starting and ending locations. Alternative phrases, such as "a drive of one hour" or "one hour by car", can be used for variety.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a drive of one hour
Rephrases the duration using a more formal structure.
one hour by car
Specifies the mode of transport directly, focusing on the time spent.
a sixty-minute car ride
Uses a more precise duration and specifies the mode of transport.
within an hour's travel by vehicle
Emphasizes travel time and mode of transport, using a slightly more formal tone.
approximately an hour's journey by automobile
More formal and emphasizes the approximate nature of the duration.
about 60 minutes in driving distance
Focuses on driving distance expressed in time.
a short drive of around an hour
Adds the subjective element of "short", implying the speaker's perception of the distance.
reachable within one hour by driving
Focuses on the reachability aspect and specifies the mode of transport.
under an hour's commute by car
Implies a regular journey, such as a commute.
a journey of approximately one hour by road
Uses more formal language and specifies the journey is by road.
FAQs
How do I use "an hour's drive" in a sentence?
"An hour's drive" describes a distance based on how long it takes to travel by car. For example, "The airport is "an hour's drive" from the city center".
What can I say instead of "an hour's drive"?
You can use alternatives like "a drive of one hour", "one hour by car", or "a sixty-minute car ride" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "a hour's drive" instead of "an hour's drive"?
No, it is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""an hour's drive"". Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, such as "hour".
What's the difference between "an hour's drive" and "a one-hour drive"?
Both phrases convey the same meaning, but ""an hour's drive"" emphasizes the time as a characteristic of the drive, while "a one-hour drive" is a more direct description of the drive's duration.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested