Backing up OS to external USB 2.0 drive

I have Norton v 15. I am attempting to back up my operating system to my USB 2.0 external drive. It has taken a day, and is not even 20% done. It takes two hours if I back it up to the C drive itself (obviously not recommended, but I did it as a test). Is this usual for this software? It's annoying to keep the computer on for several days.