Physics Notes
Car Braking Distances


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The following table comes from data originally published in Popular Science and AutoWeek magazines1. Stopping distances are for new cars (1991-1995). The values of stopping distances (from 60 mi/h = 97 km/h = 27 m/s) for 55 vehicles ranged from 114 ft (35 m) to 179 ft (55 m) with an average of 140 ft (43 m).

Vehicle

Stopping Distance
from 60 mi/hr (97 km/h)

Deceleration

feet

meters

ft/s2

m/s2

BMW M3

120

37

32.3

9.8

Toyota Celica GT

128

39

30.2

9.2

Lincoln Continental

131

40

29.6

9.0

Nissan Maxima

142

43

27.3

8.3

Chevrolet Blazer

158

48

24.5

7.5

Dodge Colt GL

167

51

23.2

7.1

Vehicle lengths ranged from 13.4 ft (4.1 m) to 20.3 ft (6.2 m) with an average of 15.7 ft (4.8 m).


The following data were taken from the Indiana Drivers Manual, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (no publication date found).

Vehicle

Average Stopping Distance at 55 mph (includes reaction time)

Passenger car

190 ft.

Tractor-trailer (loaded) with cool brakes

256 ft.

Tractor-trailer (loaded) with hot brakes

430 ft.

Tractor-trailer (empty)

249 ft.

Tractor only (bobtail)

243 ft.


1Source: R.C.Nicklin, Kinematics of Tailgating, in The Physics Teacher, Vol.35, Feb. 1997, p. 78


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last update March 22, 2000 by JL Stanbrough