The duration of drifting depends on various factors, such as the size and speed of the object, wind direction and velocity, ocean currents, etc. Generally speaking:
- A small object like a leaf or a piece of plastic debris can drift for weeks to months.
- A medium-sized object like a bottle cap or a wooden plank might take around 6-12 months to clear an entire continent (e.g., from Europe to the Americas).
- Larger objects, such as boats or even entire buildings can stay aloft and drifting for years.