The Amish live with very few modern things, preferring a simple life connected to the land and old traditions. Before cars, people used horses, carriages, or buggies for transportation, and that’s what they still use to get around.
Let’s explore how fast Amish buggies go and understand the reasons behind their unique approach to transportation.
How Fast Does an Amish Buggy Go?
Amish buggies typically travel at a leisurely pace of about 5 to 8 miles per hour or 8 to 13 kilometers per hour. Typically, Amish buggies trot along, with horses moving at an average speed of about 8 mph. When they walk, the speed is halved, approximately 4 mph.
Horses walk up most hills, down many hills, and even on level ground, they take walk breaks. If the person driving the horses knows what they’re doing, they make them alternate between trotting and walking to prevent them from getting too tired.
This unhurried pace reflects the Amish commitment to a simple and unhurried way of life.
If you’re a cyclist traveling through Amish areas, you’ll notice that their buggies typically move at a speed of 8–10 mph, making them easily passable on a bicycle.
Several things affect how fast an Amish buggy can go:
- Horse’s Abilities: The horse’s strength and speed matter.
- Terrain: Flat and smooth paths let the buggy go faster than bumpy or hilly ones.
- Load Weight: Light buggies with one person move quicker than bigger ones with a family or heavy wagons loaded with things like hay.
Weight impacts how hard the horse has to work and, in turn, the buggy’s speed.
The Amish prefer staying close to home, typically within a 25-mile radius of their families and communities.
Beyond this distance, their horses get too tired, and they switch to cars as a means of transportation.
The Amish are not against using cars when necessary for longer trips. They often hire an English driver to take them on greater distances.
⇒ Share the Road:
- Don’t honk at horse-drawn buggies. Loud sounds startle the horses, creating risks for everyone. Approach quietly and patiently, giving them space when passing for a safer journey.
Why Do the Amish Still Use Buggies?
The Amish use horse-drawn buggies as a way of slowing down life’s pace and keeping a distance from the modern world.
They believe fast transportation might make family members live far from each other, affecting their close-knit community lifestyle, which they want to preserve.
The Amish don’t use buggies as a form of self-punishment. Their choice, similar to their approach to other technologies, stems from the idea of avoiding technologies that could disrupt their family, community, and church.
How Much Does an Amish Buggy Cost?
An Amish buggy typically costs between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on factors like size, design, and how new it is. Customization options can also affect the price.
A new Amish buggy can cost between $5,000 to $10,000. If you opt for a used one, prices usually start around $2,000 and can go as high as $5,000.