Cessna 310 Aircraft under $500,000

Under $500k for a piston twin is the mid-range — typically 1980s-90s Baron 55/58, Cessna 310/340/414, Seneca II/III. Engines on first or second overhaul; mandate-compliance largely current; pressurised variants need pressurisation maintenance verified. Reasonable middle of the cabin-class twin market.

The Cessna 310 is the classic light piston twin — produced 1954-1980 with twin Continental IO-470 or IO-520 engines, four-to-six seats, and the unmistakable tip-tank silhouette. Cruise around 195 knots, a stand-up cabin and the speed/reliability that made the 310 a fixture of charter, business and personal flying for three decades. Variants run from the original 310 through to the late 310R and turbocharged T310.

Cessna 310 aircraft for sale

45 used Cessna 310 aircraft for sale under $500,000 · 5-seat · Used median asking $159,000 · updated 13 hours ago

Cessna 310 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 310 is a 5-seat multi engine piston with a cruise speed of 185–220 kt (343–407 km/h), a range of 800–1,000 nm (1,482–1,852 km), and a useful load of 1,700–1,900 lbs (771–862 kg).

Performance
Cruise185–220 kt (343–407 km/h)
Max Speed195–240 kt (361–444 km/h)
Range800–1,000 nm (1,482–1,852 km)
Service Ceiling20,000–30,000 ft (6,096–9,144 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineCONTINENTAL O-470-B;O-470-M
Horsepower240–285 HP
Fuel Capacity100.0–102.0 gal (378–386 L)
Fuel Burn22.0–32.0 GPH (83–121 L/h)
TBO1,400–1,700 hrs
ICAO TypeC310
Weights & Seats
Seats5–6
Max Gross Weight4,830–5,500 lbs (2,191–2,495 kg)
Useful Load1,700–1,900 lbs (771–862 kg)
Production1956–1982

Cessna 310 for Sale

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Cessna 310 asking prices range from $79,950 to $270,000, with a median of $159,000 (market reference $140,000).

1963 Cessna 310H

1963 Cessna 310H for sale Project
$19,000
Project
Total Time 5,000
Reg# N1046Q US
Location Mulino, OR
Via Jay P Acharya
Listed 1mo ago

1973 Cessna 310Q

1973 Cessna 310Q for sale
$79,950
For Sale
Total Time 4,069
Reg# N69663 US
Location CA
Via American Aircraft Sales Co.

1966 Cessna 310K

1966 Cessna 310K for sale below typical asking range
$84,900
For Sale
Total Time 5,691
Reg# N7098L US
Location Upland, CA
Via Foothill Aircraft Sales & Service

1969 Cessna 310P

1969 Cessna 310P for sale
$89,900
For Sale
Total Time 8,505
Reg# N5818M US
Location Phoenix
Via Fresh Aircraft Sales
Listed 2mo ago

1977 Cessna 310R

1977 Cessna 310R for sale
$90,000
For Sale
Total Time 13,026
Location Niceville, FL
Via Troy Avera
Listed 1mo ago

1963 Cessna 310H

1963 Cessna 310H for sale
$95,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,800
Reg# N310JB US
Location Gilbert, SC
Via Casey Bickel

1964 Cessna 310I

1964 Cessna 310I for sale within typical asking range
$107,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,992
Reg# N27ZZ US
Location Hayden, ID
Via Coeur d Alene Aviation
Multiple sources

1968 Cessna 310N

1968 Cessna 310N for sale
$109,000
For Sale
Total Time 5,700
Reg# N4144Q US
Location Waterford, MI
Via Jeff Carroll
Listed 1mo ago

1961 Cessna 310F

1961 Cessna 310F for sale
$113,340
For Sale
Total Time 4,114
Reg# N310MB US
Location Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland
Via Aeromeccanica SA
Multiple sources

1969 Cessna 310P

1969 Cessna 310P for sale below typical asking range
$117,500 ↓ -$2K
For Sale
Location Chattanooga, TN
Via Richard Hadden
Listed 2mo ago

Cessna 310 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
310F 1961–1962 5 185 kts (343 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) — An early-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 3
310J 1963–1965 6 190 kts (352 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) — A mid-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 1
310L 1966–1967 6 193 kts (357 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) $132K – $189K A mid-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 4
T310 1969–1980 6 200 kts (370 km/h) 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,800 lbs (816 kg) — Choose the T310 for turbocharged, high-altitude 310-family twin performance without the pressurized-cabin cost of the 340. 1
310Q 1970–1975 6 195 kts (361 km/h) 900 nm (1,667 km) 1,800 lbs (816 kg) $79K – $194K An early-1970s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at a mid-range point in the 310 line. 5
T310R 1975–1981 6 220 kts (407 km/h) 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,900 lbs (862 kg) $175K – $250K The turbocharged, most-refined Cessna 310 — a fast six-seat light twin with high-altitude performance for capable cross-country travel. 6
310R 1975–1980 6 195 kts (361 km/h) 900 nm (1,667 km) 1,900 lbs (862 kg) $90K – $270K The final, most-refined Cessna 310 — a fast, six-seat light twin with the longest nose and most useful load of the line. 6

Compare Cessna 310

See how the Cessna 310 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

⏲ Compare 310 vs 340 vs 421 →
Cessna 310 vs Beechcraft Baron 58 Cessna 310 vs Cessna 414 Cessna 310 vs Cessna 340 Cessna 310 vs Cessna 421 Cessna 310 vs Piper Twin Comanche Cessna 310 vs Cessna 320

Cessna 310 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 310 cost? Used 310 prices: $79K – $270K, average $169K (median $159K); market reference $140K, across 45 priced of 45 active listings.

Cessna 310 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 310 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (22.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$13,640/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$25,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$280/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,500 hrs)$38,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Two Continental engines burn approximately 25-28 gph combined at cruise - twin-engine cost at light-twin efficiency. The annual covers both engines, the gear system, and the fuel system; it runs roughly double a single-engine aircraft of equivalent vintage. IO-520 overhaul cost is well-established and moderate per engine. The 310's retractable gear is hydraulic on most variants, a recurring maintenance item. Two-engine ownership means two sets of engine programs and inspection costs - the defining operating-cost difference versus piston singles.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 310

Buying a Cessna 310 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 310 is a six-seat twin-engine piston aircraft - two Continental engines (240 hp in early variants, 285-hp IO-520s in late production), retractable gear, approximately 190-195 knots cruise, 900 nm range, and a 20,000-foot ceiling. It is among the most widely produced general-aviation twins and the aircraft that established Cessna in the piston-twin market - built from 1954 through 1981 in continuous development across nearly 30 letter variants.

Early versus late 310. The 310 family spans roughly 5,400 aircraft across two and a half decades. Early variants used 240-hp Continental engines in a five-seat configuration; later 310s (from the 310Q era) standardized on the 285-hp IO-520 in a six-seat configuration. Buyers should identify the specific letter and confirm engine type - the IO-520 fleet has a larger overhaul and parts infrastructure than the earlier engines and offers more power per side.

Pre-buy focus for a vintage twin. The 310 is a vintage retractable twin; a pre-buy appropriate to the model year is essential. Gear-system condition, engine compressions and oil consumption, and fuel-system integrity are the primary inspection items. Twins in the 310 class carry roughly double the engine-related maintenance of an equivalent-horsepower single; budget accordingly. The 310 community is active and provides good resources across all letters.

Buy it if you want an entry-level piston twin with proven engines, a large fleet supporting good parts availability, and the 310's clean aerodynamic design - at lower acquisition cost than pressurized alternatives in the Cessna twin family.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 310

About the Cessna 310
The Cessna 310 is Cessna's defining light twin-engine piston aircraft, produced 1954–1980. Early 310s used carbureted Continental O-470 engines (240 hp each); from the early 1960s the line switched to fuel-injected Continental IO-470 (260 hp) and later IO-520 (285 hp) engines. It seats five to six, cruises approximately 185–205 kt, and remains one of the most capable piston twins in the used market. The 310 established Cessna as a force in light business aviation.
What are the main Cessna 310 variants?
The 310 evolved significantly over its production: early carbureted O-470 models (1954–1960), the switch to fuel-injected IO-470 (early 1960s), and the IO-520 on later variants — with progressive airframe and systems upgrades across the A-through-R letter series. The 310R (final variant) is the most refined and typically the most sought-after, and the turbocharged T310 series (TSIO-520) adds altitude capability. Buy the most modern, best-maintained variant in your budget — the later IO-520 examples are the practical recommendation.
What are common Cessna 310 problems to look for?
Both engines must be in good health — flying a light twin on one engine is a trained emergency procedure, not a routine operation. Continental cylinder health and TBO status on both engines. Fuel system integrity (the 310's wing-tip tanks are a signature feature; verify for leaks and age-related degradation). Gear system, and tip-tank and fuel-cap seals. A pre-buy by a twin-engine Cessna specialist is essential — the 310 is not a complex-aircraft step to take lightly.
How much does the Cessna 310 cost to operate?
Two engines mean roughly double the fuel burn and overhaul cost of a comparable single-engine aircraft. Operating a 310 responsibly requires a maintenance budget that accounts for two engine overhauls, two sets of magnetos, and twin-engine systems upkeep. For current prices, see the listings above; for cost direction, see the on-page summary.
310 vs a single-engine Cessna 210 — is the twin worth it?
The 310 adds a second engine (redundancy for engine failure), more cruise speed (~185–205 kt vs ~165 kt for the 210), and the security of twin-engine IFR. The trade-offs: higher operating cost (two engines), higher insurance, and the reality that single-engine handling near VMC requires maintained proficiency. For business operations where engine redundancy is a professional requirement, the 310 makes the case; for personal cross-country use, the 210 is a lower-cost, lower-complexity proposition.
Is the Cessna 310 still in production?
No — production ended around 1980. The 310 is fully supported by Cessna twin specialists and a dedicated community, but there is no new production.

Cessna 310 Inventory by Country

United States44
Australia3
Switzerland1
United Kingdom1

Cessna 310 by Price

Under $100k6
Under $200k33
Under $300k46
Under $500k46

Cessna 310 by Decade

1960s22
1970s21
1980s1
2000s2

Recently Sold Cessna 310

1970 T310Q$165,000
1968 310N$75,000
1968 310N$79,900
1978 310R$219,500

Cessna 310 Safety Record

Across all 310 variants, 584 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

584

Total Events

312

Incidents

42

Serious

181

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Aug 23, 2025 Milledgeville, GA Fatal (1) —
Jun 24, 2025 Fayetteville, TN Incident —
May 29, 2025 Lake Evella Aerodrome, Incident —
Apr 11, 2025 Boca Raton, FL Fatal (3) —
Apr 01, 2025 Midvale, OH Fatal (1) —

NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Cessna 310 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 13 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data