Before the steam locomotive, land travel was painfully slow, with skilled riders barely reaching 30 mph and stagecoaches averaging just 10-12 mph. Long journeys could take a toll, with wagon pioneers trudging along at a mere 1.5 to 2 mph. In stark contrast, the seas offered swifter passage, allowing ships to cross the Atlantic in four to six weeks—if all went well. Imagine the challenges of planning a trip in such a world!
