Travel Times in the Roman & British Empires

In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the heroine Elizabeth Bennet marries Fitzwilliam Darcy. This marriage separates Elizabeth from the rest of her family, both in terms of class and physical distance. As the new mistress of Pemberley, Darcy's grand estate in Derbyshire, Elizabeth must move over 130 miles away from her childhood home of Longbourn, in rural Hertfordshire.

While 130 miles might not seem like a huge distance to modern readers, in the 18th century, the journey would have taken at least two whole days of uncomfortable travel by post chaise or private carriage. At least, that is according to the new Travel in Times interactive map. In reality, the journey would probably have taken three days, when you account for stops at inns along the way for meals and to rest the horses.

One of my all-time favorite digital maps is OmnesViae, a Roman route planner that shows you how long it would take to travel between any two locations during the reign of the Roman Empire. OmnesViae: Itinerarium Romanum is a route planner that lets you navigate the Roman Empire using the roads and shipping lanes that were actually available to the ancient Romans.

The map is based on information from the ancient Roman map, the Tabula Peutingeriana, and allows you to plan a route that includes all the main roads and cities of the Roman Empire. You could use the map, for example, to plan a route between Rome and the gladiatorial amphitheater in Lecce. Depending on your strength and fighting skills, you might not need directions for the return trip.

Now, thanks to the University of Cambridge, you can also find out how long it would take to travel around the UK during the height of the British Empire. Travel in Times is another historic online journey planner. This map shows you how long it would take to travel between any two locations in England and Wales at three specific dates in history: circa 1680, circa 1830, and in 1911.

The Travel in Times journey planner offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of travel and transportation in England and Wales. By focusing on key historical moments in 1680, 1830, and 1911, the map allows users to explore how advancements in infrastructure - such as turnpike roads, stagecoaches, and the railway system - revolutionized the speed, cost, and comfort of travel. This historical perspective highlights the dramatic improvements that took place over a period of 230 years, transforming the way people moved across the England & Wales.

Via: Quantum of Sollazzo