Whether you're setting out on a cross-country road trip or simply planning your annual holiday rounds, calculating drive times can take a lot of the stress out of traveling. Fortunately, technology has afforded us numerous ways to map out our routes with relatively accurate results -- even if there's traffic. There is also an easy formula you can employ to calculate drive times manually. All you need to know is the speed limit of the roads you'll be traveling on and how far you'll be going on these roads.
Tips & Warnings
If you're visiting busy cities or traveling on notoriously crowded highways Google Maps is the ideal system to use because it not only gives you drive times based on clear highways, but also how long they may take you in traffic. Google Maps also has built-in times if you're planning to walk or utilize public transportation on your trip.
MapQuest is ideal for calculating drive times on seasonally closed roads and rural roads.
If you're calculating drive times manually, remember to add a little cushion for traffic.
For estimated drive times, you can use the following approximations, which account for minor traffic: you can cover one mile per minute on highways, one-half to three-quarters of a mile in one minute on major streets, and one-quarter to one-half of a mile per minute on residential streets. These numbers are derived by dividing the speed limit by 60.
If you're visiting busy cities or traveling on notoriously crowded highways Google Maps is the ideal system to use because it not only gives you drive times based on clear highways, but also how long they may take you in traffic. Google Maps also has built-in times if you're planning to walk or utilize public transportation on your trip.
MapQuest is ideal for calculating drive times on seasonally closed roads and rural roads.
If you're calculating drive times manually, remember to add a little cushion for traffic.
For estimated drive times, you can use the following approximations, which account for minor traffic: you can cover one mile per minute on highways, one-half to three-quarters of a mile in one minute on major streets, and one-quarter to one-half of a mile per minute on residential streets. These numbers are derived by dividing the speed limit by 60.
Realize that GPS and navigational systems are not foolproof. Many cases have been documented of people driving off roads or turning inappropriately because they relied more on their GPS systems and less on common sense. Though these devices can make travel aspects, such as calculating routes and drive times, more convenient, they are no substitutes to traveler's intuition.
Realize that GPS and navigational systems are not foolproof. Many cases have been documented of people driving off roads or turning inappropriately because they relied more on their GPS systems and less on common sense. Though these devices can make travel aspects, such as calculating routes and drive times, more convenient, they are no substitutes to traveler's intuition.
Article Written By Nellie Day
Nellie Day is a freelance writer based out of Hermosa Beach, Calif. Her work can regularly be seen on newsstands, where her specialties include weddings, real estate, food and wine, pets, electronics, architecture and design, business and travel. Day earned a master's degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California.
