diff --git a/src/useq/_utils.py b/src/useq/_utils.py
index 9a0cc875..2d768a8b 100644
--- a/src/useq/_utils.py
+++ b/src/useq/_utils.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def _estimate_simple_sequence_duration(seq: useq.MDASequence) -> TimeEstimate:
         phases = tplan.phases if hasattr(tplan, "phases") else [tplan]
         tot_duration = 0.0
         for phase in phases:
-            phase_duration, exceeded = _time_phase_duration(phase, s_per_timepoint)
+            phase_duration, exceeded = _time_phase_duration(phase, s_per_timepoint, seq)
             tot_duration += phase_duration
             t_interval_exceeded = t_interval_exceeded or exceeded
     else:
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def _estimate_simple_sequence_duration(seq: useq.MDASequence) -> TimeEstimate:
 
 
 def _time_phase_duration(
-    phase: SinglePhaseTimePlan, s_per_timepoint: float
+    phase: SinglePhaseTimePlan, s_per_timepoint: float, seq: useq.MDASequence
 ) -> tuple[float, bool]:
     """Calculate duration for a single time plan phase."""
     time_interval_s = phase.interval.total_seconds()
@@ -158,6 +158,28 @@ def _time_phase_duration(
         # to actually acquire the data
         time_interval_s = s_per_timepoint
 
+        axis = list(seq.axis_order)
+        # if there are no position and grid axes, then the time interval is not
+        # exceeded
+        if Axis.POSITION not in axis and Axis.GRID not in axis:
+            time_interval_exceeded = False
+        # if there are both position and grid axes, then the time interval, is not
+        # exceeded if the position and grid axes are before the time axis
+        elif Axis.POSITION in axis and Axis.GRID in axis:
+            if axis.index(Axis.POSITION) < axis.index(Axis.TIME) and axis.index(
+                Axis.GRID
+            ) < axis.index(Axis.TIME):
+                time_interval_exceeded = False
+        # if there is only one of position or grid axes, then the time interval is
+        # not exceeded if that axis is before the time axis
+        elif Axis.POSITION in axis:
+            if axis.index(Axis.POSITION) < axis.index(Axis.TIME):
+                time_interval_exceeded = False
+        elif axis.index(Axis.GRID) < axis.index(Axis.TIME):
+            time_interval_exceeded = False
+
+        # TODO: add cases with a single pos or a single fov grid
+
     tot_duration = (phase.num_timepoints() - 1) * time_interval_s + s_per_timepoint
     return tot_duration, time_interval_exceeded
 
diff --git a/tests/test_sequence.py b/tests/test_sequence.py
index bd8e180f..f3fd0465 100644
--- a/tests/test_sequence.py
+++ b/tests/test_sequence.py
@@ -429,3 +429,35 @@ def test_z_plan_num_position():
 
 def test_channel_str():
     assert MDAEvent(channel="DAPI") == MDAEvent(channel={"config": "DAPI"})
+
+
+def test_time_interval_exceeded():
+    main_seq = MDASequence(
+        axis_order="tc",
+        channels=[{"config": "DAPI", "exposure": 100}],
+        time_plan=TIntervalLoops(loops=10, interval=0),
+    )
+    assert not main_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    p_seq = main_seq.replace(axis_order="tpc", stage_position=[(1, 2, 3)])
+    assert p_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    p_seq = p_seq.replace(axis_order="ptc")
+    assert not p_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    g_seq = main_seq.replace(
+        axis_order="tgc", grid_plan=GridRelative(rows=1, columns=2)
+    )
+    assert g_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    g_seq = g_seq.replace(axis_order="gtc")
+    assert not g_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    pg_seq = g_seq.replace(axis_order="tpgc", stage_position=[(1, 2, 3)])
+    assert pg_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    pg_seq = pg_seq.replace(axis_order="ptcg")
+    assert pg_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded
+
+    pg_seq = pg_seq.replace(axis_order="pgtc")
+    assert not pg_seq.estimate_duration().time_interval_exceeded