The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is approximately 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles)

. This distance varies because the Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path. At its closest point (perigee), the Moon is about 363,104 kilometers (225,623 miles) away, and at its farthest point (apogee), it is about 405,696 kilometers (252,088 miles) away

. To give further context, light takes about 1.3 seconds to travel from the Moon to Earth, reflecting this average distance in terms of light travel time

. In summary:

• Average distance: ~384,400 km (238,855 miles)
• Closest distance (perigee): ~363,104 km (225,623 miles)
• Farthest distance (apogee): ~405,696 km (252,088 miles)
• Light travel time: ~1.3 seconds

This variation in distance affects the apparent size and brightness of the Moon as seen from Earth, sometimes resulting in phenomena like "supermoons" when the Moon is closest