When planning your road trip, it would be nice to know how long it's going to take to get to your destination. Math is the key to finding out. We will use the formula distance = rate x time. You need to know rate and distance; we'll be finding the time.
Let's say you start your trip in Washington, D.C. (the green area). Your first destination is Tennessee (the red area). You need to make hotel reservations, and the hotel wants to know your estimated time of arrival so that your room is ready for you when you get there. It is about 780 miles from D.C. to Tennessee. You drive an average of 65 miles per hour (which, of course, is the speed limit on most highways). How long will it take you to get to Tennessee?
First, put the information you know into the formula
distance = rate x time.
780 miles = 65 miles/hour x timeNext, solve for time by dividing by the rate.
780 mi/65 mi/hr = t
t = 12 hours
So, if you leave D.C. at 8am on Thursday, you will arrive in Tennesse 12 hours later, which is 8pm on Thursday.
Now, you can figure out the time it will take you to get to your third destination, which is Colorado. You are still driving 65 miles per hour. We estimate that it is 2260 miles from Tennesse to Colorado. How long will it take you to get to Colorado?
Now that you know how to find your taveling time, you can plan out your entire trip. Include time to rest, eat, sleep, and see the sights. Have fun!!