1. A travel speed sensing system, comprising: an optical sensor configured to be coupled to a welding torch, wherein the optical sensor is configured to sense light incident on the optical sensor, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine a travel speed of the welding torch, a direction of the welding torch, or both, based on the sensed light, the optical sensor is configured to acquire images of a surface in a weld area, the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed of the welding torch based on the images, and the optical sensor comprises a range finding mechanism configured to determine a distance from the optical sensor to the surface, and wherein the travel speed sensing system is configured to determine the travel speed based on the distance.