Transportation and Horses - Life in Medieval Days

The primary methods of moving around in medieval times were on foot or horseback. Many people were born, lived, and died within a very small radius.

Walking
The average person can walk 3 miles per hour, that is a mile every 20 minutes. In many parts of the world, walking is still a primary means of transportation. Some will walk 10 miles to get to a local village, spend the day working at a job there, then walk the 10 miles back home again. Even back in medieval days, pilgrims would routinely travel 10 to 20 miles in a given day. If there was a pressing need, they could go even further, if there was a well maintained road to travel on.

Horseback
Horses walk between 3-5 miles an hour. Horses could travel 40 miles in a day without much trouble. If there was a problem, the horse could go 60 miles before it needed a break.

Horses can trot at about 8 miles an hour, as fast as a person runs. They canter at 15 miles an hour. They gallop at about 30 miles an hour. The gallop was never meant for long distances, this is a burst of speed to get to safety. A horse can only gallop for 2-3 miles before they need to slow down.

Note that in modern times, the best of the best horses are raced in "endurance rides" where they are sent on 100 miles which they cover in 10-12 hours. Note that these aren't average horses though, they are the elite.

Wagon
Wagon travel of course depended a lot on how well made the wagon was, and on the condition of the roads. A good average would be 20 miles. For oxen, which are slower, the distance is more in the range of 10 miles.

To compare all of these, the Pony Express system - which involved relaying fresh horses at each stage, as well as fresh riders, could manage to pass a note over 200 miles in a single day.

Medieval Romance Basics
Medieval Romance for Villagers
Medieval Romance for Nobles
Medieval Romance for Men
Medieval Romance for Women

Life in Medieval Days

Lisa's Medieval Romances
Badge of Honor - a medieval romance
Believing your Eyes - a medieval romance

Online Literary Magazines

Lisa Shea's Homepage