The invention relates to a quick distance protection method and apparatus for a power transmission line containing an UPFC. The quick distance protection method and apparatus can effectively avoid the risk that misoperation occurs during the quick distance protection process by means of calculation of the maximum equivalent impedance of the UPFC during the normal operation process generally and by means of the calculated maximum equivalent impedance during the normal operation process when a system malfunctions and the fault compensation voltage is calculated; and at the same time the distance protection method and apparatus can also avoid the risk that a surpass motion exists in the quick distance protection process when the protection apparatus is used at the side being far away from the UPFC and when an outside-of-area metallic fault occurs in the positive direction.