How long does it approximately take for an average commercial vehicle traveling at 55 mph to stop on dry pavement?

When considering how long it takes for a commercial vehicle traveling at 55 mph to come to a complete stop on dry pavement, the typical stopping distance is calculated by combining perception time, reaction time, and braking distance.

At 55 mph, the average stopping distance is indeed closer to 300 feet. This includes the distance traveled during the driver’s reaction time as well as the distance required to decelerate the vehicle to a stop. The perception and reaction time can add approximately 100 feet to the stopping distance and then, depending on the weight of the vehicle, road conditions, and braking efficiency, the distance needed to brake effectively further contributes to the overall total.

In general, for heavy commercial vehicles, the stopping distance increases due to their mass compared to lighter vehicles, which makes the 300-foot estimate reasonable and reflective of real-world conditions. Thus, the chosen answer aligns well with standard formulas used to estimate stopping distances for commercial vehicles under safe road conditions.