Two related limits govern how far someone travels before reaching safety. Exit access travel distance (IBC 1017) caps the total path from the most remote point to an exit — commonly 200 feet, extended to 250 or more where the building is sprinklered, varying by occupancy. Common path of egress travel (1006.2.1) limits the distance a person must travel before they have a choice of two directions — often 75 or 100 feet depending on occupancy and sprinklers.
Both are measured along the natural path of travel around furniture and partitions, not straight-line.
The common mistake is a deep space or long dead-end corridor that pushes common path past its limit, forcing a second exit or a redesign late in the process. Reviewers measure travel distance and common path on the egress plan against the occupancy's limits and the sprinkler status — get these wrong and the exit layout itself has to change, so they're worth checking at schematic design.
This guide describes the model code for general understanding and is not a substitute for the adopted code and amendments enforced by your local authority having jurisdiction. Verify all figures against your jurisdiction's codes of record.