How Far Could You Really Walk If the Grid Went Down?
When I began writing my Miles Away trilogy, I knew I wanted the story to feel realistic. My main character, Joanie, is a middle-aged woman in average physical condition who finds herself stranded hundreds of miles from home after a national crisis.
Like many people, I initially assumed that if someone was determined enough, they could simply shoulder a backpack and start walking. After all, people hike long distances every day, don't they?
What I discovered during my research surprised me.
To get Joanie home to her thirteen-year-old son, I mapped possible routes from southern Missouri through Arkansas and Oklahoma. I researched walking speeds, daily mileage, food requirements, water needs, weather exposure, footwear, injuries, and how much weight an average person could realistically carry.
The deeper I researched, the more concerned I became.
What started as research for a novel quickly became a personal lesson in preparedness.
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| On average, 10-15 miles a day |
The Reality of Walking Long Distances
Most of us drive hundreds of miles without thinking twice about it. We travel unfamiliar highways guided by GPS and assume help is only a phone call away.
But what happens if your vehicle breaks down in a remote area?
What if there is no cell service?
What if your phone battery dies?
What if help is several hours—or several days—away?
Suddenly distance feels very different.
How Far Could You Walk?
| Distance | Estimated Walking Time |
|---|---|
| 5 Miles | 1-2 Hours |
| 10 Miles | Half Day |
| 20 Miles | Full Day |
| 50 Miles | 3-5 Days |
| 100 Miles | 1-2 Weeks |
As I worked through Joanie's journey, I realized that a distance that seems manageable on a map can become overwhelming when you are carrying supplies, dealing with weather, avoiding dangerous areas, or simply trying to find enough water.
The farther I planned her route, the more I understood how vulnerable many of us would be if forced to travel on foot.
The Importance of Having a Plan
One of the biggest lessons I learned had nothing to do with a major disaster.
Even a simple vehicle breakdown can leave someone stranded and isolated.
That realization reminded me of a trip overseas years ago.
While traveling in Turkey with my daughter, we took preparedness seriously. Before leaving home, we located the nearest U.S. embassy and wrote down its address and phone number. We studied city maps and familiarized ourselves with the route between our lodging and the embassy in case we became separated or lost.
We carried written phone numbers and placed copies of important documents in separate locations. We even stored spare copies of our passport information in our luggage.
At the time, it felt like a precaution we would probably never need.
Looking back, it was simply good planning.
The same principle applies when traveling in the United States.
Many people assume their phone will always work. But batteries fail. Phones get lost. Electronics break. Cell towers can become overloaded or unavailable.
A paper map and written phone numbers may seem old-fashioned, but they still work when technology doesn't.
What I Keep in Mind Now
Researching Joanie's journey changed how I think about travel preparedness.
Today, I believe every vehicle should contain a few basic items:
- Extra drinking water
- Emergency food or snacks
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Extra socks
- Cash in small bills
- A paper map
- A flashlight
- A tarp
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Phone numbers written on paper
One item that became especially important in my novel was a simple tarp.
For Joanie, a tarp served multiple purposes. It provided a dry place to sleep, protection from rain, and emergency shelter when needed.
Preparedness often isn't about carrying more gear. It's about finding multiple uses for the gear you already have.
Know Your Distance
Another lesson I learned while mapping Joanie's route was the importance of understanding distance.
How far is it from your workplace to your home?
How far is it from your favorite vacation destination?
How far would you need to travel if you became stranded?
Many people have never calculated these distances.
Knowing the mileage allows you to estimate how long a journey might take if you had to walk.
It also helps you identify potential obstacles, water sources, towns, and alternate routes before an emergency ever occurs.
Don't Forget Your Feet
One injury can end a long walk quickly.
Blisters, sprains, and ankle injuries become serious problems when help is unavailable.
Comfortable footwear may be one of the most overlooked preparedness items.
Broken-in walking shoes, quality socks, and even a simple ankle support brace can make a tremendous difference.
The best emergency plan in the world becomes difficult to execute if you can barely walk.
The Lesson I Took Away
By the time I finished researching Miles Away, I found myself feeling something unexpected.
Fear.
Not fear of a fictional disaster, but fear of realizing how dependent we have become on convenience and technology.
The experience reminded me that preparedness isn't about expecting the worst.
It's about thinking ahead.
It's about having a backup plan if your car breaks down.
It's about carrying enough water to get home.
It's about knowing where you're going before you need to get there.
It's about having cash when electronic payments aren't available.
And it's about understanding that a little planning today can prevent a lot of problems tomorrow.
Whether you're traveling across the country or simply driving to the next town, always have a plan.
Because the most important lesson I learned while writing Joanie's journey is this:
Hope is not a plan. Preparation is.
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