depends on how much charge is in teh battery, when my alternator went whislt setting off from work I managed 35 miles before it went critical on me and started shutting everything down. luckily for me I was 1/2 mile from motorway services so managed to limp into them and off teh side of teh M way.
I used
www.westlancsautoelectrics.co.uk for a replacement. Be carful though as the standard reference gide listed an incorrect model for mine 97 4.2 QS and they actually ended up completely rebuilding my old one in 3 hours whilst I went shopping in preston centre.
They were a good price as well, I'd highly recommend them.