A car travels 120 miles at 40 mph and then another 180 miles at 60 mph. What is the total time taken?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:58:31 +0000

**How Long Does It Really Take to Travel 120 Miles at 40 mph Then 180 Miles at 60 mph?** Curious about the actual time behind this simple road journey? Planning a road trip, tracking fuel efficiency, or simply tracking travel efficiency—understanding how distance and speed connect is more relevant than ever. The question, *“A car travels 120 miles at 40 mph, then another 180 miles at 60 mph. What is the total time taken?”* is common among drivers, commuters, and commuters exploring smarter travel habits. With real-world demand for precise route planning and time management, this calculation isn’t just academic—it’s practical. The challenge lies in balancing speed differences across segments to get a clear, accurate estimate. ### The Science Behind the Time Calculation To find the total travel time, calculate each segment separately using the basic formula: time = distance ÷ speed. For the first 120 miles at 40 mph, dividing yields 3 hours. The second 180 miles at 60 mph results in 3 hours as well. Adding these allows users to quickly determine the journey spans exactly 6 hours—no tricks, no estimation games, just pure time math.