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Top 10 Longest Walking Distances Inside U.S. Malls

By: KURU Footwear

When it’s cold outside but you still want to move, there’s one place that offers warm lighting, endless routes, and just enough temptation to keep you going: the mall. And if you’re visiting one of the country’s biggest malls? You’re in for a serious step count.

These massive shopping centers are more than just retail hubs. They’re basically low-impact cardio sessions. Whether you’re deep into Black Friday shopping or casually browsing, one thing’s for sure: your feet are going to notice.

That’s why we mapped out the U.S. malls with the longest walking distances. Some of these might surprise you. Others, you’ve probably already gotten lost in. Ready to find out which malls go the distance?

How Far You’ll Walk in the Largest U.S. Malls

To find the longest walking distances in U.S. malls, we looked at the 10 largest malls by total square footage. Then, we mapped a consistent walking pattern through each one and factored in the number of levels to calculate how far you'd really walk. The result? A step-by-step look at how mall walking can quickly become a workout.

Rank Mall Name and Location Estimated Walking Distance Approx. Steps Floors Square Feet Approx. Store Count
1 American Dream Meadowlands — East Rutherford, NJ 5.54 mi 11,100 4.5 3,000,000 450
2 Del Amo Fashion Center — Torrance, CA 5.01 mi 10,000 3 2,517,765 255
3 The Galleria — Houston, TX 4.24 mi 8,500 4 3,000,000 400
4 King of Prussia Mall — King of Prussia, PA 4.23 mi 8,500 2.5 2,793,300 450
5 Ala Moana Center — Honolulu, HI 4.12 mi 8,200 4 2,400,000 350
6 Destiny USA — Syracuse, NY 3.93 mi 7,900 4 2,400,000 240
7 Mall of America — Bloomington, MN 3.61 mi 7,200 3.5 5,600,000 520
8 Palisades Center — West Nyack, NY 3.30 mi 6,600 4 2,217,322 220
9 South Coast Plaza — Costa Mesa, CA 3.00 mi 6,000 3 2,623,385 270
10 Roosevelt Field — Garden City, NY 2.46 mi 4,900 3 2,372,053 240

Turns out, a simple mall walk isn’t so simple when the building spans millions of square feet. Most of these malls pack in 6,000 steps or more—enough to turn a quick errand into a mini-marathon. At places like American Dream or Del Amo, you could easily cover the distance of a 10K without ever stepping outside!

Of course, we couldn’t stop at just 10 malls. We took a few more laps and crunched the numbers for three more mega-malls that deserve an honorable mention. Here’s a quick look:

Rank Mall Name and Location Estimated Walking Distance Approx. Steps Floors Square Feet Approx. Store Count
11 Aventura Mall — Aventura, FL 2.34 mi 4,700 2 2,700,000 300
12 Tysons Corner Center — Tysons, VA 2.18 mi 4,400 2.3 2,400,000 300
13 Sawgrass Mills — Sunrise, FL 1.55 mi 3,100 1 2,370,610 400

This season, Black Friday shopping is more than just a race for the best deals. It’s a real way to rack up your steps. Mall of America is often considered the most popular Black Friday mall, but whether you're hitting a local favorite or navigating retail territory the size of a small city, there's no denying that holiday shopping gets you moving.

The Perks of Mall Walking

Mall walking may not get all the hype, but it checks nearly every box for a smart, sustainable way to stay active. It's simple, accessible, and surprisingly effective. Here’s what makes it such a valuable habit for your health and well-being:

  • It’s free and flexible. No gym memberships or complicated routines required. Just walk at your own pace, on your own time.
  • Consistent, comfortable temperatures. Indoor settings remove the barrier of bad weather and make year-round movement possible.
  • Food, water, and restrooms are always nearby. Longer walks are easier when everything you need is just steps away.
  • Spacious and accessible. Malls offer wide, smooth walkways that are clean, quiet, and designed for all ability levels.
  • Safe and welcoming. Mall environments are typically well-lit, monitored, and free of traffic and outdoor hazards.
  • Physical health benefits. Walking regularly can improve heart health, balance, agility, blood pressure, and energy levels. It also supports weight management.
  • Mental health boost. Movement helps reduce stress, improve mood, and create a sense of clarity and calm.
  • Connection and community. Many mall walkers find motivation and belonging by seeing familiar faces or joining walking groups.

Methodology and Sources

Methodology

To calculate walking distances, we started with the 13 largest malls in the U.S., ranked by total square footage (according to Wikipedia). From there, we applied the official walking distance reported by Mall of America, then used that same walking pattern as a baseline for the other malls on the list.

We adjusted the distance for each location based on square footage and number of floors, using Google Maps to estimate routes as accurately as possible. That said, we didn’t pack a pedometer and pace every inch ourselves, so while this data is grounded in real numbers, it’s still a best estimate.

Sources

About Us

At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve sold over 2 million pairs and received more than 41,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with foot pain conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.

For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.

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