Whenever we need to travel long distances, that we choose to drive. Sometimes, we find it difficult to determine the time to be taken to reach our destination. The determination of time depends on the road, weather, traffic lights, traffic jams and bathroom stops, plus more.
Driving 500 miles at an average speed of 60 mph takes about 8 hours and 20 minutes, assuming no stops and good road conditions. Each 10 minute stop and keeping the same arrival time along the way; one would need to adjust speed by the miles left, divided by the time left, less the stop time.
There are times when we need to travel to distances of 500 miles. But how long does it take to drive 500 miles? We can’t be sure of the exact time because due to many factors related to traveling. Suppose, if the weather is bad, you most likely need more time to travel. Or, if there is a traffic jam, then the time taken to travel will be more than the estimated time. So, let’s see how to estimate better, at least based on my driving in from city to city, and in different countries.
What To Measure Before Presuming The Estimated Time?
When you want to know about the estimated time to travel a distance, you need to take into account a number of things such as route, stop-offs, weather, parking, and how long you can drive safely in a day. Another thing is that, whenever we are driving, we don’t maintain a constant speed. We reduce our speed when we take turns or see a “pot hole” on the road. Likewise, we drive faster when we are on an empty and clear road. The expectation of estimated time to reach a certain distance doesn’t always match reality.
Suppose, as the topic of today’s article, we are driving a distance of 500 miles. If we drive at a speed of 500 miles per hour (MPH), we might reach our destination in an hour. So in this case, the time taken to drive 500 miles in 1 hour.
But, do you think it is ever possible to drive at a constant speed of 500MPH? Will driving at a high speed be safe? This is why, as we have mentioned previously when we are driving we face different sorts of obstacles.
In this article, we will discuss how you can determine the time to travel a distance. Also, we will elaborate on how long you can drive safely in a day. And additionally, we will discuss how long it will take to drive 500 miles. So, if you are curious to find out, then read this awesome article to the end.
How Long Can You Drive in a Day?
When you are driving, be it solo or in a group, it is important to know how far you will be driving and for how long. Driving for long hours without any break can be dangerous and fatal.
As a general rule, it is considered safe to drive for eight to nine hours a day. You should also take a break of about 45 minutes every 2 hours when you are driving long distances. If you are driving alone, we think it is mandatory to take a break of at least 15 min every 2 to 4 hours so that you can feel relaxed and rest a little. In this way, your energy, attentiveness, and concentration for driving will increase after the break.
So, you can drive long distances such as 500 miles in a day. But you need to take into account the factors of the route, weather, speed, and health along with safety measures. If you feel fatigued or dizzy while driving, it is always recommended to take a break. I mean, I bet there is a McDonald’s for a drink and a pee break within 20 miles?
Can You Drive 12 Hours in a Day?
As we have mentioned, driving for 8 to 9 hours is considered to be safe. If you want to drive for 12 hours a day, you can. However, this depends on how well you can drive and the maintenance of your car could come into play. However, driving for long hours with no break may deteriorate you and your vehicle, so make sure it is worth the risk.
How To Determine The Time It Takes When Driving To A Destination?
The determination of time it takes when driving to a place cannot always be accurate. Sometimes reality doesn’t match our expectations. What I mean is, whenever we want to drive somewhere and want to know the time it will take to travel there. The result will always vary.
As we learned from science, to determine the time of traveling the distance is Time = distance/speed.
By looking at the formula, you can understand how time is depending on the distance to be traveled and the speed. If you are traveling at a fixed constant speed, you are most likely to get the expected result. But, where is it possible to maintain the same speed over more than an hour at a time without road construction or even a detour?
Traveling to a frequently visited place, we can get a vivid idea of how long it can take us to reach the destination. Furthermore, if you are traveling to a place for the first time, it can be much harder to predict the time it takes to reach the destination. In that case, the GPS is your friend.
Speaking of GPS’s, if you want one other than your phone and google maps…I love the Garmin Nuvi 2689 LMT, owned it I think, 10 plus years now? So, there may be better out there by now, but I can swear by this one! the down falls are battery life, so if you get another model hunt for a better battery-life. Check Out my Nuvi 2689 LMT here.
How Long Does It Take To Drive 1 Mile?
Well, the answer depends on the your vehicle and your speed. As we mentioned, to determine the time taken, we need to divide the distance of the place by the average speed.
For instance, The rule-of-thumb calculator, if you drive a mile with an average speed of 60MPH, you will reach your destination in 1 minute.
Likewise, if you drive a mile with an average speed of 30MPH, you will reach your destination in 2 minutes.
Or, if you drive a mile with an average speed of 10MPH, you will reach your destination in 6 minutes.
If you want to get technical? You can not instantaneously take off and stop, at least yet. That is why it is always stated as average speed!
From the time you enter your vehicle, if it takes 10 seconds to accelerate to 60MPH and deaccelerate from your average speed, you would arrive in 70 seconds. To be there in 1 minute you would have to travel at 72MPH keeping the accelerate and stopping time at 10 seconds each again.
Can You Drive 500 Miles in a Day? How far away is 500 miles?
Whenever we travel long distances we want to figure out the approximate time it takes. When then must take in different factors that affect the time to be taken to give accurate arrival times. 500 miles is a set distance, but is is usually never as-the-crow-flies, or in a straight line from point to point in case you never heard that figure of speech before.
If you are traveling a distance of 500miles, then you might want to determine what amount of time it will take to drive. You will also add break times and stops.
What I do is:
- Simple math, a good rule-of-thumb average 60MPH, or a mile a minute.
- Determine the roads, highway or back roads, towns or cities, and finally how many stops
- Then add or subtract from the base rule-of-thumb
500mi/60mph=8.33hr (.33×60=20) so, 8hr 20min. There’s 1 town, after I will need gas (average car tank last 300 miles per fill up) that means at least 1 stop for fuel and slower travel times through the town. So, the quickest I could be there is 10 minutes to get fuel, and slower speed limits close to the town, it would probably add 20 minutes. I would need at least 8hr 40min. to 9hrs. allowed time to travel.
How far will your car go before it needs filled up again, or charged? Read this article: How far will your car go on a full tank?
How Long Does It Take To Drive 500 Miles?
To determine the time for whatever distance, you just need to divide the distance by the average speed of your vehicle. The result you get will be the time taken to drive that distance.
For example, if your distance is 500miles, then to determine the time taken to drive this distance, you have to divide 500miles (as it is the distance) with the speed you will be driving.
| Speed (mph) | Time (hr min) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 10 hr 00 min |
| 60 | 8 hr 20 min |
| 70 | 7 hr 09 min |
| 80 | 6 hr 15 min |
| 90 | 5 hr 33 min |
| 100 | 5 hr 00 min |
How Long Does It Take To Drive 300 Miles?
The method of determining the time taken to drive 300 miles has been explained above. Simply, divide the distance by the speed of your vehicle.
For example, if you are driving with an average speed of 50mph, it will take approximately 6 hours to travel 300 miles.
| Speed (mph) | Time (hr min) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 6 hr 00 min |
| 60 | 5 hr 00 min |
| 70 | 4 hr 17 min |
| 80 | 3 hr 45 min |
| 90 | 3 hr 20 min |
| 100 | 3 hr 00 min |
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have discussed how long it takes to drive a distance such as 500 miles or 300 miles. All you need to do is divide the distance with the average speed to determine the time taken. So, whenever you are wondering about traveling long distances, you don’t have to worry about the time. You can figure it out yourself.
But remember, the speed is not constant all the time, your speed changes. Plus you have to have rest and fuel stops along way. Typically, you don’t have to be time accurate, but you do not want to be late!