diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
index 26570f1311..4ede7dcbc8 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
@@ -534,5 +534,24 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Vector = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer, {
     preFeatureInsert: function(feature) {
     },
 
+    /** 
+     * APIMethod: getDataExtent
+     * Calculates the max extent which includes all of the features.
+     * 
+     * Returns:
+     * {<OpenLayers.Bounds>}
+     */
+    getDataExtent: function () {
+        var maxExtent = null;
+        if( this.features && (this.features.length > 0)){
+            var maxExtent = this.features[0].geometry.getBounds();
+            for(var i=0; i < this.features.length; i++){
+                maxExtent.extend(this.features[i].geometry.getBounds());
+            }
+        }
+
+        return maxExtent;
+    },
+
     CLASS_NAME: "OpenLayers.Layer.Vector"
 });
diff --git a/tests/Layer/Vector.html b/tests/Layer/Vector.html
index 77df2a96d6..f1ab1a9839 100644
--- a/tests/Layer/Vector.html
+++ b/tests/Layer/Vector.html
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
     }
     
     function test_Layer_Vector_addFeatures(t) {
-        t.plan(4);
+        t.plan(5);
     
         var layer = new OpenLayers.Layer.Vector(name);
 
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@
         }
 
         layer.addFeatures([pointFeature], {silent: true});
+
+        var extent = layer.getDataExtent();
+        t.eq(extent.toBBOX(), "-111.04,45.68,-111.04,45.68", "extent from getDataExtent is correct");
     }
 
     function test_Layer_Vector_removeFeatures(t) {