How to Calculate Speed MPH
Speed is a function of distance and time. Calculating speed requires two components: instantaneous speed and the interval such speed is sustained. As speed varies with road conditions, traffic conditions and weather, average speed is typically computed to garner travel time.
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Instructions
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Calculate your speed
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1
Plot out your route. In order to compute your average speed, you need to know how far you will travel. So mark out your route, and garner the mileage of the trip, on a map. This mileage will likely vary from your actual mileage traveled, but it is always a good idea to plan ahead. You will also be able to estimate the average speed you will need to sustain to arrive within a certain time frame.
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2
Mark down your milage. Before leaving, jot down your mileage, or reset you trip odometer.
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3
Start your engine. Get ready to leave, and mark down the exact time of your departure. Pull out, and head off.
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4
Keep aware of your travel stages. When stopping for gas, note the time you stop and the milage. This will give you an idea of your average speed per stage. Overall, average speed will vary each stage.
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5
Note the time of your arrival. Before getting out of the car, as soon as you turn off the ignition, record the time. Also note your final mileage.
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6
Subtract your starting mileage from your final mileage: This will give you your total distance traveled. Subtract your start time from your final time: This will give you your total time traveling.
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Divide your total mileage traveled by the total time traveling. This will give you your average speed in miles per hour. For example, if you traveled 240 miles in 4 hours, your average speed would have been 60 miles per hour.
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Tips & Warnings
When you are traveling 60 mph, you're traveling 1 mile every minute. If your odometer is broken, you can gauge speed by timing the mile markers along state highways. If you come across a mile marker in less than a minute, you're traveling faster than 60 mph. If it takes more than a minute, you are traveling less than 60 mph.
