At 10 45, Charlie left Town A for Town B, driving at a speed of 78 km/h. At 12 45, Fred also left Town A for Town B driving at a certain speed. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the journey. At 14 45, both of them passed a cafe that was 234 km away from Town B. How many minutes earlier did Fred reach Town B than Charlie?

Distance that Charlie travelled
= 4 x 78
= 312 km

Distance between Town A and Town B
= 312 + 234
= 546 km

Since Fred passed the cafe at the same time as Charlie, it means that Fred travelled 312 km in 2 hours.

Fred's speed during the journey
= 312 ÷ 2
= 156 km/h

Duration that Fred took to reach Town B after passing the cafe
= 234 ÷ 156
= 1.5 h

Duration that Charlie took to reach Town B after passing the cafe
= 234 ÷ 78
= 3 h

Difference between the time they took to reach Town B
= 3 - 1.5
= 1.5 h

1 h = 60 min
1.5 h = 1.5 x 60 = 90 min

Fred reached Town B 90 minutes earlier than Charlie.

Answer(s): 90 min