How far is 3,000 miles? I have arrived in Quartzsite, Arizona. I pulled into this little empty trailer park of a town at 8PM, found the hotel, was promptly accosted by the crew, and hamstrung into going out for drinks at the hotel bar. I cannot say that this hamstringing took much effort on my [...]
Published on September 17, 2009
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How far is 3,000 miles?
I have arrived in Quartzsite, Arizona. I pulled into this little empty trailer park of a town at 8PM, found the hotel, was promptly accosted by the crew, and hamstrung into going out for drinks at the hotel bar.
I cannot say that this hamstringing took much effort on my fellow crew member’s part, as $2.25 gin and tonics were nearly enough to quench the 3,000 mile, four day transfer that I took from the east of the USA to the West.
It is over 3,000 miles from Bangor, Maine to Quartzsite, Arizona. It is my usual tendency to speak of distance in terms of kilometers, like Finnish women do, but there is just something about measuring an American road trip in metric units that does not sit right with me.
We are in ‘Merica, speak English or die.
3, 000 mile is 4,828 kilometers
But how far is 3,000 miles, really?
It is 3,160 miles between Paris, France and Tehran, Iran
Distance from Paris to Tehran, Iran
2,949 miles from Mexico city to Lima, Peru
2,985 miles from Beijing to Kabul, Afghanistan
3,000 miles from Beijing to Afghanistan
3,000 miles from Bangor, Maine to Quartzsite, Arizona
3,000 miles from Bangor Maine to Quartzsite Arizona
The United States of America is a big country.
About the Author: VBJ
I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 90 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. VBJ has written 3657 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
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8 comments… add one
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September 18, 2009, 10:40 am
LinkI have never considered distance as you have with these comparative maps. That’s an interesting perspective. Not life changing, just interesting.
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September 18, 2009, 10:58 am
LinkWow, that really does put it in perspective!
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September 19, 2009, 3:19 am
LinkGreat sense of scale — I think many young Europeans don’t really understand just how big the US is when they fly over to travel it.
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September 19, 2009, 7:04 pm
Linkcraig wrote: “Great sense of scale — I think many young Europeans don’t really understand just how big the US is when they fly over to travel it.”
A few times I have had Europeans describe US trips that they want to take, and have trouble trying to explain to them just how difficult the trip they plan to take is. A good example was a relative in Poland saying he was planning a 2 week trip, and wanted to see the Statue of Liberty and NYC, Boston, Washington DC, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco and Los Angeles amongst a few other locations I can’t remember. I have visited all these places in 2 weeks, but that was riding 18 hours a day, with nothing more than a few minutes stopping in any of these places. The US is HUGE, unfortunately few Americans really see much of it and even Americans often don’t have an appreciation for just how big the US is, much less how wonderful traveling can be (any kind of traveling)
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September 20, 2009, 6:11 pm
LinkYes, this country is huge. I did not even really know HOW huge it was until I started making those comparison maps. Wow is just about all I can say. It would take someone a lifetime and a half to even travel a small portion of the USA.
It is funny to me when people underestimate distance in the USA. NYC and San Fransisco are a world — and entire continent — apart, and to travel to many of the major sites of the USA in a single vacation would be to spend the entire time moving.
Thanks,
Wade
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November 3, 2017, 5:55 am
LinkI’m a well-travelled Brit, and while I have a better perspective than most on how vast places like the US are, it’s still a jolt to really think about it.
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