News Travel Time in 1776: Philadelphia to Boston

Communication in the Revolutionary Era

Before the telegraph (1844), long-distance messages relied on physical transport:

• Postal system: Letters carried by horseback riders (50–70 miles/day with horse changes).
• Roads: Mostly dirt, poorly maintained; weather and season caused major delays.
• Alternative: Coastal ships (faster but weather-dependent).

Philadelphia → Boston Estimate

Distance ~300 miles. At 60 miles/day ideal, 5–7 days minimum. Realistically, 1–3 weeks accounting for delays, transfers, and schedule frequency.

Impact on Revolution

Slow communication hampered coordination among Continental Congress, generals, and militias—contributing to strategic surprises and delayed responses.