A car travels 120 miles at an average speed of 40 mph, then continues for another 180 miles at 60 mph. What is the car’s average speed for the entire trip? - Parker Core Knowledge
Title: How to Calculate Average Speed for a Two-Part Road Trip | Fast and Efficient Travel
Title: How to Calculate Average Speed for a Two-Part Road Trip | Fast and Efficient Travel
When planning road trips, determining average speed is essential for better time management and trip planning. One common scenario involves multiple segments with varying speeds—like a car traveling 120 miles at 40 mph, then continuing another 180 miles at 60 mph. Understanding the total journey and total time helps calculate the overall average speed accurately. In this article, we’ll break down how to compute the average speed for the entire trip, why it’s more than just a simple mean, and how to find the correct figure for smoother travel forecasts.
Understanding the Context
What Is Average Speed?
Average speed is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken, not the arithmetic mean of speeds. This matters because speed changes across different segments—longer periods at lower speeds drag down the overall average, even if a segment was completed quickly.
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Key Insights
The Journey Breakdown
In this example:
- First leg: 120 miles at 40 mph
- Second leg: 180 miles at 60 mph
Step 1: Calculate Time for Each Segment
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Segment 1:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Time₁ = 120 miles ÷ 40 mph = 3 hours
Segment 2:
Time₂ = 180 miles ÷ 60 mph = 3 hours
Step 2: Total Distance and Total Time
- Total distance: 120 + 180 = 300 miles
- Total time: 3 + 3 = 6 hours
Step 3: Calculate Average Speed
Average speed = Total distance ÷ Total time
Average speed = 300 miles ÷ 6 hours = 50 mph
