The average distance of the sun from the earth is approximately 93 million miles (149.6 million kilometers). This distance is known as an astronomical unit (AU) and is used as a unit of measurement for distances in space. The sun's distance from the earth varies over time due to the earth's orbit around the sun. At its closest approach, the sun is about 91.4 million miles (147.1 million kilometers) from the earth, and at its farthest, it is about 94.5 million miles (152.1 million kilometers).