How Long Would It Take to Walk from New York City to Los Angeles?
Walking from New York City to Los Angeles is a significant undertaking, covering approximately 2800 to 3000 miles depending on the route taken. This journey presents numerous challenges, but with careful planning, it is possible to complete the journey in a few months. Let's break down the estimated time and distance.
Estimating the Time
The average walking speed is about 3 to 4 miles per hour. Assuming a daily walking duration of 8 hours, a person could cover roughly 24 to 32 miles per day. Here’s how the calculation breaks down:
Total Distance: Approximately 2800 miles. Daily Distance: At 24 miles per day: frac{2800 text{ miles}}{24 text{ miles/day}} approx 117 text{ days} At 32 miles per day: frac{2800 text{ miles}}{32 text{ miles/day}} approx 88 text{ days}This estimation provides a range of 88 to 117 days for the journey, not accounting for rest days, detours, or other factors such as weather and terrain. In practice, the journey could take several months. Even at an average walking speed, the journey could take at least 100 days, with a more realistic estimate of 120 days due to the need for rest days.
A Historical Perspective
In 1909, Edward Payson Weston walked from New York to San Francisco, covering a much longer distance of about 4000 miles in just 100 days. At that time, he was 70 years old, and younger people on modern roads have been able to cover this distance much faster. This historical example shows that the journey can be completed within a shorter timeframe with better resources and conditions.
Walking Speed and Distance
The distance between New York City to Los Angeles is approximately 4500 kilometers on foot. An average person walks at a speed of 5 to 6 kilometers per hour, but carrying a lot of heavy stuff would slow this down to about 4 kilometers per hour. Assuming they walk 15 hours a day, with the remaining hours reserved for sleep and meals, they would travel 60 kilometers per day. This estimation leads to a journey of:
frac{4500 text{ km}}{60 text{ km/day}} 75 text{ days}, or about two and a half months.
Personal Accounts and Inspiration
Mike McIntyre’s book, The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America, provides a fascinating firsthand account of a similar journey. McIntyre traveled on foot and hitchhiked across the country, starting in California without a penny in his pocket, relying on the generosity of strangers. Although his book doesn’t directly answer the time question, his journey and story are incredibly inspiring and educational.
Whether you are planning a similar journey or simply curious about the logistical aspects of walking across the United States, understanding the time, distance, and challenges involved is crucial. The endeavor requires careful planning, physical and mental preparation, and a good support system.