With Pluto making headlines worldwide with the New Horizons flyby, it gets you wondering: How long would it take to drive to Pluto? 

Astronomers measure distances in solar systems with the units known as AU (astronomical unit). 1 AU is the distance between the Earth and the Sun, which is about 93 million miles. Looking at other planets in our solar system: Mars is about 1.5 AU, Jupiter orbits out at around 5 AU, and Saturn is almost 10 AUs.

Pluto is a different animal. Pluto's orbit around the sun isn't a normal one. It swings in an elliptical orbit. According to NPR, it comes as "close" to the sun as 30 or so AU (inside Neptune's orbit) and as far out as almost 50 AU.

Pluto is an average distance of 3.7 billion miles from the sun. How long would that take to drive?

Around 6,293 years.

Luckily, at a Boeing 777's maximum velocity of 590 miles per hour, the trip to Pluto will take only about 680 years. Make sure you pick up some sandwiches and Cinnabons in the airport before you leave because you can bet the flight attendants are gonna run out of boxed meals before you even get past Mars."

Either way, doesn't look like driving a car is the best plan. If you take a car, stock up on chicken riggies and turkey joints first.

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