10 Things That Are 100 Feet (ft) Long

Linda

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Featured image of 100-foot-long objects like blue whale, Boeing 737-500, redwood tree, and Hollywood sign

Ever wondered what’s as long as a hundred feet? You are about to embark on a fascinating journey through the world of length measurement, exploring objects both natural and man made that stretch to this impressive size. From the depths of the ocean to the heights of urban skylines.

we will discover just how much 100 feet can encompass. So buckle up, because we are about to dive right into the captivating and fascinating realm of hundred feet wonders.

The Fascinating World of 100 Feet long Wonders

Illustration comparing the length

Before we jump into our list, let’s first take a moment to put one hundred feet into perspective. In fact, this distance measurement is not only significant but also equivalent to:

  • 30.48 meters
  • 1,200 inches
  • 33.33 yards
  • About one-third of a football field

To give you a real-world sense, for the average walker, it typically takes around 20-25 seconds to cover 100 feet. While that may not seem long, in terms of size, it’s actually quite substantial. So, with that in mind, let’s now explore some incredible things that span this impressive length.

Read More How Big is 10 Inches Compared to an Object

Nature’s 100 Feet long Marvels

The Mighty Blue Whale: Ocean’s Gentle Giant

The Blue Whale, nature’s colossal creation, can reach lengths of up to 100 feet. Indeed, as the largest animal ever known to have existed, this marine mammal truly embodies the wonders of the natural world.

A giant blue whale swimming underwater next to a small diver

Key Facts about the Blue Whale:

  • Weight: Up to 200 tons
  • Heart size: As big as a small car
  • Tongue weight: As heavy as an elephant
  • Diet: Primarily krill, consuming up to 6 tons per day

“The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth.” – National Geographic

The sheer size of this ocean creature is hard to fathom. Imagine swimming alongside something as long as two semi-trailers placed end to end.

For further reading, see my article about 9 Things That Are 30 Feet Long/ Big 

Railway Trains: A Long Haul on Tracks 100 feet long

100 feet long train on its track

Railway trains are a crucial part of transportation systems worldwide, and some of their cars stretch close to 100 feet long. For instance, a typical passenger train car can range from 85 to 100 feet in length. These long train cars are designed to maximize seating and cargo space, making them ideal for transporting large groups of passengers or significant amounts of freight across vast distances.

Train Car Quick Facts:

Maximum speed: Up to 150 mph for high-speed trains

Average passenger car length: 85-100 feet

Weight: Around 130,000 pounds (depending on the design)

Telephone Tower: Reaching New Heights

Telephone Tower 100 Feet long

Though most telephone tower are around 35 to 40 feet tall, larger tower, especially in rural or high-voltage areas, can stretch up to 100 feet in height. These towering structures are used to support power lines, telecommunications equipment, and other utilities, helping to connect vast areas across cities and towns.

Telephone Tower Facts:

  • Average height: 35-100 feet
  • Material: Wood (typically treated pine or cedar) or steel
  • Lifespan: Up to 50 years

Imagine driving down a highway with telephone poles lining the road, each standing tall at 100 feet—about the height of a 10-story building. These poles may seem unremarkable, but they play a vital role in maintaining our modern infrastructure.

If You want to Know 10 Things That Are 50 Feet Long or Big

Boeing 737-500: Flying the Friendly Skies

Boeing 737-500: Flying the Friendly Skies

The Boeing 737-500, a popular jet aircraft in commercial aviation, measures almost exactly 100 feet in length. This Boeing plane has been a workhorse for many airlines around the world.

Boeing 737-500 Specifications:

SpecificationMeasurement
Length101 feet 9 inches (31.0 m)
Wingspan94 feet 9 inches (28.9 m)
Height36 feet 6 inches (11.1 m)
Seating108-132 passengers

It’s mind-boggling to think that something as large as this commercial airplane is comparable in length to objects we see every day!

Statue of Liberty: From Base to Torch

The Statue of Liberty from base to the first

While the Statue of Liberty’s total height from ground to torch is 305 feet, the statue itself, from base to torch, is about 151 feet. So, 100 feet would get you roughly two-thirds of the way up this iconic symbol of freedom.

Statue of Liberty Measurements:

  • Height from base to torch: 151 feet
  • Face length: 10 feet
  • Index finger length: 8 feet
  • Tablet length: 23 feet

Sports and Recreation at 100 Feet

Basketball Courts: Dribbling the Length

basketball court

A standard NBA court spans 94 feet, just shy of 100. However, this compact arena still hosts basketball’s most thrilling athletic feats.

Basketball Court Dimensions:

  • Length: 94 feet
  • Width: 50 feet
  • Three-point line distance: 23 feet 9 inches (at its furthest point)

Imagine running up and down this basketball field multiple times during an intense game!

Olympic-Sized Swimming Pools: Making a Splash

A swimmer in an Olympic sized pool 100 feet long

An Olympic-sized swimming pool is 50 meters long, approximately 164 feet. Therefore, 100 feet would take you slightly more than halfway across the pool..

Olympic Pool Facts:

  • Length: 50 meters (164 feet)
  • Width: 25 meters (82 feet)
  • Minimum depth: 2 meters (6.6 feet)
  • Number of lanes: 8

These massive pools are where world records are set and Olympic dreams are realized.

You Can Also Read 9 Common Things That Are 5 Centimeters Long

Transportation Marvels

Rolls-Royce Phantom: Luxury on Wheels

Rolls Royce Phantom

While not quite 100 feet long, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is worth mentioning for its impressive size. This luxury automobile is one of the largest passenger cars in production.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Dimensions:

  • Length: 19 feet 5 inches (5.98 meters)
  • Width: 6 feet 7 inches (2.02 meters)
  • Height: 5 feet 4 inches (1.64 meters)

Semi-Trailers: Kings of the Highway

Two semi-trailers side by side, reaching a combined length of 100 feet.

A standard semi-trailer, often seen hauling cargo on highways, typically measures between 48 to 53 feet. Two of these freight trucks lined up would exceed our 100 feet mark.

Semi-Trailer Facts:

  • Standard lengths: 48 feet, 53 feet
  • Maximum legal width: 8.5 feet
  • Maximum legal height: 13.5 feet
  • Cargo capacity: Up to 45,000 pounds

These articulated trucks are the backbone of our freight transportation system, moving goods across vast distances.

Architectural Wonders

10-Story Buildings: Reaching New Heights

A typical 10-story building 100 feet long

A typical 10-story building often reaches or exceeds 100 feet in height. These urban constructions are common sights in cities worldwide.

Average Floor Heights:

  • Residential: 10-12 feet
  • Commercial: 12-15 feet

So, a 10-story residential building could easily hit our 100 feet mark long, while a commercial structure might even surpass it.

Bridges: Spanning Gaps and Connecting Communities

Many small to medium-sized bridges, therefore, span distances of around 100 feet. These crucial infrastructure elements not only connect communities but also facilitate transportation.

Types of 100 feet Bridges:

  1. Beam bridges
  2. Truss bridges
  3. Arch bridges

Each type has its own engineering challenges and aesthetic appeal.

Unexpected 100 Footers

The World’s Longest Hot Dog

In 2011, Novex SA of Paraguay created the world’s longest hot dog, measuring a whopping 668 feet! While this far exceeds our 100 feet mark, it’s fun to imagine a hot dog stretching the length of a basketball court and then some.

A String of 100 Dollar Bills

If you were to line up 100 dollar bills end-to-end, they would stretch about 516 feet; consequently, a hundred feet would be roughly equal to 19 or 20 dollar bills. This comparison not only helps visualize distance but also illustrates the value of currency in an engaging way.

DIY 100 Feet long Projects

Creating a hundred Feet Mural

Imagine painting a mural that spans 100 feet; this massive artistic undertaking not only has the potential to transform a cityscape but also to tell a story across a long wall. Consequently, many street artists and communities have embraced such projects, creating vibrant, larger-than-life artworks that enrich their surroundings.

Planning a 100 Feet long Garden

A green urban space like the Portland Green Loop, showing a 100-foot section with walkways, bike lanes, and green spaces.

A hundred-foot garden plot could yield an impressive harvest. To maximize space and productivity, consider this potential layout:

  1. 20 feet: Tomatoes and peppers
  2. 20 feet: Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale)
  3. 20 feet: Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes)
  4. 20 feet: Climbing plants (peas, beans)
  5. 20 feet: Herbs and flowers

This length not only provides ample space but also offers plenty of room for a diverse and productive garden.

The Impact of 100 Feet long

In City Planning and Urban Development

In urban planning, hundred feet is a significant distance; moreover, it can represent various concepts.

  • The width of a small city block
  • The length of a pocket park
  • The distance between bus stops in densely populated areas

Understanding this scale helps planners create more livable, walkable cities.

Environmental Considerations

When we think about 100 feet in environmental terms, it can represent:

  • A buffer zone around a sensitive habitat serves not only to protect the ecosystem but also to minimize human impact, thereby promoting biodiversity and ensuring the area’s long-term health.
  • The radius of impact for a small oil spill, while relatively limited, can nonetheless vary significantly depending on several factors, including the type of oil, environmental conditions, and the specific location of the spill.
  • The root spread of a large, mature tree, meanwhile, influences soil stability and, consequently, the surrounding ecosystem.

These examples not only demonstrate how this distance measurement can be crucial, but also highlight its significance in both environmental protection and effective management.

Case Study: The 100 Feet long Journey of Urban Planning

Let’s explore how 100 feet can transform our cities. Furthermore, we’ll examine a real-world example. Additionally, we’ll see how this measurement impacts urban design.

In 2015, the city of Portland, Oregon, embarked on an ambitious project called the “Green Loop.” This six-mile linear park and active transportation path aimed to connect the city’s districts with a continuous loop of green space and pedestrian/bike paths.

One particular stretch of the Green Loop, a 100-foot section along SW Montgomery Street, became a microcosm of the project’s goals and, moreover, its challenges.

  1. Multi-Use Design: The planners had to fit pedestrian walkways, a protected bike lane, green spaces, and seating areas all within this hundred-foot stretch. Moreover, they aimed to enhance accessibility while ensuring a pleasant environment for everyone.
  2. Green Infrastructure: They incorporated bioswales—vegetation-filled ditches that collect and filter stormwater—every hundred feet along the route; consequently, this design enhances water management and improves the overall landscape.
  3. Community Engagement: The city held workshops, where residents, using 100-foot strings, visualized and planned the space effectively.
  4. Connectivity: This 100 feet section needed to seamlessly connect with existing infrastructure at both ends; consequently, careful planning was essential to ensure compatibility and functionalit

Initially, the street was car-centric. However, after the changes, it became a vibrant, green corridor. Consequently, this transformation created a notably people-friendly space.

Moreover, this hundred-foot section became a model for the rest of the six-mile loop, illustrating how thoughtful urban planning can effectively maximize even relatively small spaces.

This case study demonstrates how 100 feet, although seemingly modest, can still have a significant impact on both urban landscapes and community life, especially when used creatively.

Conclusion: Embracing the 100 Feet long Perspective

As we have journeyed through 100 feet wonders, we have discovered how this distance encompasses natural marvels like the Blue Whale and man made achievements such as the Boeing 737-500. Moreover, we’ve explored how these diverse wonders, despite differences, share an impressive scale.

Moreover, we’ve explored how this length measurement applies not only to sports and architecture but also to everyday objects.

From the dining tables in our homes to the railroad cars transporting goods across the country, and from the highway lanes we drive on to the meters we use in the metric system, one hundred feet surrounds us in ways we might not always notice.

The next time you’re out and about, try to spot things that might be close to a hundred feet long. You might be surprised at how this new perspective not only changes your view of the world around you but also deepens your appreciation for scale and size.

After all, understanding these dimensions enhances our appreciation for both the grandeur of nature and the impressive achievements of human engineering.

Whether it’s the length of two semi-trailers, the height of a 10-story building, or the span of a basketball court, 100 feet is a distance that effectively bridges the gap between the everyday and the extraordinary.

Therefore, go ahead and step out to measure the world in hundred-foot increments—after all, you never know what wonders you might discover.

For more on common measurements, check out my article on 12 Everyday Items That Are About 5 Inches Long

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