Evacuation Time Calculator
Estimate how long it will take your household to evacuate. Identify bottlenecks and improve your evacuation readiness.
Calculate Your Evacuation Time
Why Evacuation Time Matters
In many emergencies, you won't have hours to prepare. Wildfires can move at 14 miles per hour in extreme conditions. Flash floods arrive with little warning. Chemical spills require immediate evacuation. Knowing how long it actually takes your household to evacuate—and working to reduce that time—can be the difference between a safe escape and a dangerous scramble.
Studies of real-world evacuations reveal troubling patterns:
- Most families significantly underestimate their evacuation time
- Unprepared households take 3-5 times longer than prepared ones
- Pet owners without pre-staged carriers often take 30+ additional minutes
- Families who've never practiced often forget critical items under stress
The good news: with preparation and practice, most households can achieve a "grab and go" capability of 10-15 minutes even with children and pets.
The Evacuation Time Breakdown
Understanding where time goes during evacuation helps identify opportunities for improvement:
Alert and Assessment (2-10 minutes)
- Receive and understand the warning
- Make the decision to evacuate
- Alert all household members
- Quick assessment of the situation
People Preparation (5-20 minutes)
- Wake sleeping family members (night evacuation)
- Dress appropriately for conditions
- Assist children and elderly
- Gather in designated meeting spot
Supply Gathering (0-30+ minutes)
- Grab pre-packed go-bags (seconds if ready)
- Collect scattered supplies (15+ minutes if not prepared)
- Gather important documents
- Collect medications
Pet Management (5-30+ minutes)
- Locate all pets
- Load into carriers (cats often hide when stressed)
- Gather pet supplies
- Load into vehicle
Vehicle Loading (5-15 minutes)
- Access vehicle
- Load supplies
- Load family members
- Quick safety check
Final Actions (2-5 minutes)
- Turn off utilities (if time permits)
- Secure home
- Final headcount
- Depart
Reducing Your Evacuation Time
The "5-Minute Grab" Goal
Your goal should be the ability to leave with everything essential in 5 minutes. This requires:
- Pre-packed go-bags stored by the exit door
- Documents in a single container ready to grab
- Pet carriers accessible and pets trained to enter them
- Car keys in consistent location
- Vehicle fuel kept above half tank
- Practiced plan everyone knows
Stage Your Supplies
The biggest time savings come from pre-staging:
| Item | Unprepared | Prepared | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go-bags | 15-30 min to gather | 30 sec to grab | 15-30 min |
| Documents | 10-20 min scattered | 30 sec in binder | 10-20 min |
| Pet carrier | 5-10 min to find | 30 sec accessible | 5-10 min |
| Medications | 5-10 min gathering | 30 sec pre-packed | 5-10 min |
Practice Evacuation Drills
Practice is the single most effective way to reduce evacuation time. Drills should:
- Include all household members
- Be timed to track improvement
- Cover different scenarios (day, night, different exits)
- Include pet loading
- End with a debrief to identify improvements
Aim for at least two drills per year. Families with young children or pets benefit from more frequent practice.
Assign Responsibilities
Everyone old enough should have assigned tasks:
- Adult 1: Alert family, grab documents and medications, secure home
- Adult 2: Grab go-bags, load vehicle, help with children
- Older children: Get dressed, grab their go-bag, help younger siblings
- Designated person: Round up and load all pets
Special Considerations
Evacuating with Infants
Infants require additional time and supplies. Keep a separate infant go-bag with diapers, formula/food, bottles, and clothing changes. Practice loading car seats quickly. Consider keeping a backup car seat in each vehicle.
Evacuating with Elderly or Mobility-Impaired
Allow extra time for mobility issues. Pre-plan how to assist with stairs if needed. Keep mobility aids (canes, walkers, wheelchairs) accessible. Ensure medications and medical equipment are top priority.
Evacuating with Pets
Pets are often the biggest evacuation delay. Keep carriers assembled and accessible. Practice getting cats into carriers (they often hide during stress). Have leashes by the door for dogs. Never leave pets behind—44% of Katrina non-evacuees stayed because of pets.
Night Evacuations
Night evacuations take longer due to waking, disorientation, and darkness. Keep flashlights and shoes by beds. Practice night drills occasionally. Have a loud alert method (air horn, alarm) that wakes everyone quickly.
Apartment Evacuations
Upper-floor apartments add time for stairs (elevators shouldn't be used in emergencies). Know multiple exit routes. Pre-plan where to meet outside. Consider evacuation challenges when choosing where to live.
The Evacuation Checklist
Use this quick checklist during actual evacuation:
Before Leaving (if time permits):
- All family members accounted for
- All pets secured
- Go-bags loaded
- Documents/medications grabbed
- Phone and charger
- Keys, wallet, cash
- Weather-appropriate clothing
If More Time Available:
- Turn off gas at meter
- Turn off water
- Unplug electronics
- Move valuables to upper floors (flooding)
- Close interior doors (fire)
- Lock home
- Leave note on door with destination
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to evacuate a home?
With good preparation (go-bags ready, practiced plan), a family of 4 can evacuate in 10-20 minutes. Without preparation, the same family might take 45 minutes to over an hour. Variables include household size, pets, mobility needs, and how well supplies are organized. Regular practice is the best way to reduce your time.
What is the 5-minute evacuation rule?
The 5-minute rule is the goal of being able to leave your home with all essentials in 5 minutes or less. This requires pre-packed go-bags by the door, documents ready to grab, pet carriers accessible, car keys in a known location, and a practiced family plan. It's the gold standard for evacuation readiness.
What should I do in the first 5 minutes of an evacuation?
Priority actions in the first 5 minutes: 1) Alert all household members and pets, 2) Grab pre-packed go-bags, 3) Secure pets in carriers or on leashes, 4) Get your document container and medications, 5) Do a quick headcount, 6) Get everyone to the vehicle. Having supplies pre-staged makes this achievable.
How often should I practice evacuation drills?
Practice evacuation drills at least twice per year—spring and fall are good times. If you have young children, elderly family members, or multiple pets, practice quarterly. Vary the scenarios: day and night, primary and alternate routes. Time each drill and debrief afterward to identify improvements.
What if I don't have time to grab anything?
In immediate evacuations, people are the priority. Leave immediately and don't go back for possessions. This is why daily carry items matter: keep your phone, wallet, keys, and essential medications on your person or immediately accessible. Everything else can be replaced; lives cannot.
How do I evacuate with multiple vehicles?
Designate which vehicle each person and pet goes in before an emergency. Split go-bags between vehicles so each has supplies. Establish a meeting point if separated. Caravan together if possible, but have a backup plan if you get separated. Keep both vehicles fueled above half tank.