UK stopping distances
The Highway Code's typical stopping distances, from 12 metres at 20 mph to 96 metres at 70 mph. Pick a speed and road surface to see how far it takes to stop.
The overall stopping distance is your thinking distance plus your braking distance.
How far does it take to stop?
23 m
At 30 mph (48 km/h) on a dry road. About 6 car lengths, or 75 feet.
The Highway Code's typical distance on a dry road.
Thinking distance 9 metres, braking distance 14 metres on a dry road.
Stopping distances chart
Typical distances on a dry road. They are a general guide: the real distance depends on your attention, the road surface, the weather and the condition of your vehicle.
| Speed | Thinking | Braking | Overall | Car lengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph (32 km/h) | 6 m | 6 m | 12 m (40 ft) | 3 |
| 30 mph (48 km/h) | 9 m | 14 m | 23 m (75 ft) | 6 |
| 40 mph (64 km/h) | 12 m | 24 m | 36 m (118 ft) | 9 |
| 50 mph (80 km/h) | 15 m | 38 m | 53 m (175 ft) | 13 |
| 60 mph (96 km/h) | 18 m | 55 m | 73 m (240 ft) | 18 |
| 70 mph (112 km/h) | 21 m | 75 m | 96 m (315 ft) | 24 |
Source: Highway Code, Rule 126 (opens GOV.UK). Car lengths use the Code's average car length of 4 metres.
Keeping a safe gap
Two-second gap
Allow at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads, and in tunnels where visibility is reduced (Rule 126).
Wet roads
Stopping distances will be at least double those on dry roads (Rule 227). Leave at least double the gap too.
Ice and snow
Stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads (Rule 230). Keep well back.
Weather rules from Highway Code, Rules 226 to 237 (opens GOV.UK). On motorways, chevrons painted on the road help you check your gap: see Keep apart 2 chevrons.
Test yourself
1. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 30 mph on a dry road?
2. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 70 mph on a dry road?
3. How much longer are stopping distances on a wet road?
4. On an icy road, stopping distances can be up to how many times greater than on a dry road?
5. What is the minimum gap the Highway Code says to leave on high-speed roads?
Stopping distances: common questions
What are the UK stopping distances?
The Highway Code's typical overall stopping distances on a dry road are 12 m at 20 mph, 23 m at 30 mph, 36 m at 40 mph, 53 m at 50 mph, 73 m at 60 mph and 96 m at 70 mph.
What is thinking distance?
The distance you travel between seeing a hazard and starting to brake. The Highway Code notes it depends on your attention.
What is braking distance?
The distance you travel from starting to brake until you stop. It depends on the road surface, the weather and the condition of your vehicle, as well as your speed.
Are stopping distances in the theory test?
Stopping distances and keeping a safe gap are covered in the Highway Code, which the theory test is based on, so it is worth learning the six figures in the chart.
Revising for your theory test?
Road signs are one of the topics learners most often get wrong. Practise them with flashcards, quizzes and a mock test.