A thru-hike is an end-to-end long-distance backpacking trip on a trail system, such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT, ~2,650 miles), Appalachian Trail (AT, ~2,190 miles), or Continental Divide Trail (CDT, ~3,100 miles). Resupply planning involves mapping out towns and supply points along the trail where you'll restock food and gear. Since you can only carry a limited amount of food (typically 4–10 days' worth), you need to plan how many days you'll hike between each resupply point. This tool helps you calculate those intervals, factor in rest days ("zero days"), and estimate arrival dates so you can coordinate food drops, mail packages, or plan town stops efficiently.

Most thru-hikers average 15–25 miles per day, depending on fitness, terrain, and trail conditions. Beginners often start at 12–16 miles/day and gradually increase to 20–25+ miles/day as their "trail legs" develop. High-altitude sections (like the Sierra Nevada on the PCT) or steep climbs may slow you to 10–15 miles/day. Pro tip: Use different daily mileage estimates for each segment of your hike—lower numbers for mountainous sections, higher for flatter terrain. This planner lets you customize the daily rate per segment for maximum accuracy.

A zero day is a day where you hike zero miles—typically spent resting in a town, recovering, doing laundry, eating restaurant meals, and resupplying. Most thru-hikers take a zero day every 5–10 days (roughly once per week or once per resupply segment). Including zero days in your plan is crucial because they extend your overall timeline. For a 5-month thru-hike, 10–15 zero days can add over two weeks to your finish date. Our planner lets you add zero days per segment so your arrival estimates stay realistic.

A good rule of thumb is 1.5–2.5 lbs of food per person per day, providing 3,500–5,500 calories depending on your metabolism and exertion level. For a 5-day carry, that's roughly 8–12 lbs of food. Always carry at least 1–2 extra days' worth of food as a safety buffer for unexpected delays (bad weather, injury, wrong turns). This tool automatically calculates the longest segment in your itinerary and recommends food quantities with a built-in 2-day buffer.

Note: Some remote sections (e.g., the PCT's High Sierra, AT's 100-Mile Wilderness) may require 7–10 day food carries. Plan these segments carefully.

The "Triple Crown" of US long-distance hiking includes:

• Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): ~2,650 miles, Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. Best window: April–October.
• Appalachian Trail (AT): ~2,190 miles, Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Mountains. Best window: March–October.
• Continental Divide Trail (CDT): ~3,100 miles, Mexico to Canada along the Rocky Mountain divide. Best window: April–October.

Other notable trails include the John Muir Trail (211 miles), Colorado Trail (486 miles), Long Trail (273 miles), and Pacific Northwest Trail (1,200 miles).

Step 1: Load a preset trail sample or start from scratch.
Step 2: Enter each segment between resupply towns with start/end town names, distance in miles, and your expected daily mileage for that terrain.
Step 3: Add any planned zero days for each segment.
Step 4: Optionally set your start date to see estimated arrival dates at each town.
Step 5: Review the trip summary for total miles, trail days, and overall timeline.
Step 6: Check the food carry recommendation for your longest segment and adjust your packing list accordingly.

Your data is automatically saved in your browser, so you can return anytime to continue planning.

A safety buffer (typically 1–3 extra days of food) protects you against unforeseen circumstances: sudden weather changes forcing you to hunker down, trail closures requiring detours, slower-than-expected progress through difficult terrain, minor injuries, or simply misjudging distances. Running out of food in the backcountry is dangerous. The standard recommendation is to carry at least 2 extra days' worth of calories beyond your planned segment duration. Our planner automatically adds this buffer to the food recommendation.

Timing is critical. Most US long trails have a limited weather window:

• PCT: Start Campo (southern terminus) in April–May to beat desert heat and finish before Washington snow in October.
• AT: Start Springer Mountain February–April; finish Katahdin before it closes in mid-October.
• CDT: Start April–May; finish before Colorado/Glacier NP snow arrives in October.

Use this planner with your start date to verify your estimated finish falls within the safe window. If your total days push you too late, consider increasing daily mileage or reducing zero days.