In a message dated 12/16/2007 6:16:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Anyone  have a grasp on how fast our ancestors traveled? 

How far was a day's  ride on horseback? By coach? Oxcart?? How far could one
walk or march?  



Dear American Historians--
Delighted you are interested in such. Horse travel depended on the  weather. 
For example, in snow, the snow balled up in clods under the horse's  feet and 
had to be removed frequently. Mud was a real problem in the rain or  shortly 
thereafter.  Roads were scarce and became what is known as  stagecoach roads on 
which most traveled.
 
The Mayflower crossing the Atlantic traveled at about 2 miles per hour. See  
my article concerning this at 
_http://www.sail1620.org/discover_feature_the_mayflower_at_sea_1620.shtml_ 
(http://www.sail1620.org/discover_feature_the_mayflower_at_sea_1620.shtml)   
 

The Mayflower in the riptide
and shallows off Monomoy Point,  Cape Cod
Painting by Mike Haywood
 
Article by Edgar Sherman
"The distance from the departure point in Southampton,  England to Boston, 
MA, is 3236 statute miles (equal to 2812 nautical miles). The  entire sea 
journey for the Pilgrims took 66 days. There are 1584 hours in 66  days. The ship, 
therefore traveled at a speed of 2 miles an hour. An average  person can walk 4 
miles an hour. Distance at sea is designated in nautical  miles. One nautical 
mile is approximately 1 1/2 statute miles. Sea speed is  designated in knots. 
One knot equals 1 nautical mile per hour. Using sea terms,  the average speed 
of the Mayflower, traveling across the cold, wet  Atlantic, was 1.77 knots."
 
Kind regards,
Edgar Sherman of Brewster, Cooke and  Warren





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