Middle-earth, the setting of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, is a vast and fantastical world. But just how big is it? Comparing it to a familiar landmass like the United States can help us grasp its scale. This article explores the size of Middle-earth relative to the US, using maps and journey distances to illustrate the immensity of Tolkien’s creation.
Visualizing Middle-earth’s Size
Overlaying a map of Middle-earth onto a map of the United States provides a striking visual comparison.
This map reveals that the distance from the Shire, Frodo’s homeland, to Rivendell is roughly equivalent to the distance from Boise, Idaho, to Sheridan, Wyoming—approximately 600 miles. Extending the journey to Mordor, where Frodo must destroy the One Ring, equates to a trek of about 850 miles, reaching near Alva, Oklahoma.
Frodo’s Journey: A Transcontinental Trek
While the straight-line distances provide a general idea of scale, Frodo’s actual journey was far more arduous. According to Karen Wynn Fonstad’s Atlas of Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam traveled approximately 1,779 miles. This distance is comparable to walking from Los Angeles to St. Louis—a truly transcontinental journey.
The six-month duration of Frodo’s quest mirrors the time it took 19th-century settlers to traverse the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon. This comparison underscores the arduous nature of Frodo’s adventure and the vastness of Middle-earth.
Understanding the Scale of Middle-earth
Even with these comparisons, comprehending the scale of such a journey can be challenging in our modern world. Few of us have experienced the isolation and hardship of traversing hundreds of miles on foot, relying solely on our own resources while facing constant danger.
By comparing Middle-earth to the United States, we can better appreciate the sheer magnitude of Frodo’s journey and the vastness of the world Tolkien created. It was a world where journeys were measured in months, not miles, and where the landscape itself played a crucial role in shaping the destinies of its inhabitants.
