{"id":9592,"date":"2024-03-25T21:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T20:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=9592"},"modified":"2024-03-25T21:00:32","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T20:00:32","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-travel-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-long-does-it-take-to-travel-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does It Take To Travel The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Mississippi River is one of the most well-known rivers in the world. It runs from northern Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico and is a great source of adventure and recreation for many people. When travelling along the Mississippi River, people generally have to plan out their trip in advance and know exactly how long it will take them to travel the entire distance. So, for those of you interested in taking a journey down the Mississippi, this article will provide an overview of how long it typically takes and what factors can impact the length of your trip.<\/p>\n

Firstly, the total length of the Mississippi River is 2,320 miles, depending on how the measurement is made. For the purposes of traveling, the most accepted estimation is 2,350 miles. The average speed of the current at all points along the river is 3.1 mph. Taking into account how long it will take to move the boat against the current and accounting for any portaging along the route, a journey along the Mississippi River usually requires around one month to complete.<\/p>\n

Another factor that can impact the length of the journey is the type of vessel being used for the trip. Boats that are powered by an inboard motor and motor boats are better-suited for traveling faster against the current, therefore providing a faster and smoother trip. While going down the Mississippi on a canoe or kayak is doable, it may take longer to reach your destination because you don’t have the same motor power to help you along. Generally, it is better to plan for at least a month of slow, steady progress with a stopover at various points.<\/p>\n

It is also important to consider the length of the trip at different points along the Mississippi River. The length of the trip will vary depending on where you are in the river. For example, the average speed of the current in the Upper Mississippi is usually around 2.5 mph, while in the Lower Mississippi it can be as high as 6 mph. Additionally, the number of rapids and shallow water areas will vary in different sections of the river and will impact the total length of the journey.<\/p>\n