I don't know if this will help you or not. I didn't remove my rod but measured it as best I could in situ with a measuring tape.
From the bottom of the gas pedal to the throttle linkage is 17 3/4".
If the rod were laying on a bench the number might be +/- 1/8"-1/4"
My rod isn't perfectly straight, either. It looks like it can be "fine tuned" by bending it.
