At 55 mph, how many feet would it typically take to stop your vehicle?

When traveling at 55 mph, it typically takes about 225 feet to come to a complete stop under ideal conditions. This figure includes both the reaction distance—how far the vehicle travels while the driver reacts to the need to stop—and the braking distance, which is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.

To break it down further, at 55 mph, the average driver may take about 1.5 seconds to react, during which the car will continue moving forward. In that time, the vehicle covers approximately 121 feet. Once the brakes are applied, the stopping distance can vary depending on factors like road surface, weather conditions, and vehicle condition. On average, under good conditions, the braking distance itself could be around 105 feet, bringing the total stopping distance to approximately 225 feet. This figure serves as a guideline for drivers to understand their stopping capabilities at higher speeds and the importance of maintaining appropriate following distances.