juliev
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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topless wrote:I understand, I've had the same discussion with my MIL.
I did find fuel 25 cents less 7 miles away, but with a 27 gallon tank and getting 20+ mpg, it was worth the trip.
There's something wrong when you're happy to find diesel for under $4 a gallon.
Isn't that the truth! Diesel was $3.89 in our little town last week. I almost wish the B would have been empty. I forgot to check the price when I drove thru town a few minutes ago. It would be nice if it stays under $4.00 for a while (at least until we go to Moab and back)
Julie
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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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JoeRT04
Cape Cod, MA
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Joined: 12/16/2005
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I have found that driving at 60 MPH is quite less stressful and I feel much better (not tired) at the end of the long day's drive. Add that to the benefit of better fuel mileage, it makes sense to me to slow down. 55 MPH is too slow for me tho.
When cars and trucks pass me, I just look at them with a smile. It's almost a little game I play to aggravate people a bit.  I get some real nasty looks! I try to stay in the right lane but at sometimes it makes sense to stay in the middle lane (and avoid the farthest left lane). I guess my point here is that I am not concerned about miles per gallon. It is the "enjoy the drive" thing that is important.
2004/05 Roadtrek 190 Versatile
FMCA F380826
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Long_for_the_road
Chandler, AZ
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Joined: 02/15/2005
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I think we'll keep driving 65 mph for most of our trips. It seems the lower boundary of "normal" open-road traffic speed. It also gets us out of the "who-can-beat-who" operating mode. Going any slower seems to make us a road hazard. On scenic roads - National Parks, coastal roads, etc - it's a different story - then 45 mph or slower can work.
In the end, it's just personal perference - but now I know the cost if I want to get to get somewhere a little faster - or willing to chill more.
'99 Ford Extended van (converted)
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kl2be
Alaska
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Joined: 07/11/2007
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david_42 wrote:I suspect if most vehicles had something like a Scangage on them, most people would slow down. Others either don't care, need speed, or don't look at the dashboard anyway. A former co-worker bought an Aero & could not understand why he didn't get the EPA rated mph while driving 85. Spent the first four months screaming at the dealer about it.
I LOVE my Scanguage, but the real-time MPG is more of a load indicator than an accurate reflection of MPG. I've reset the SG several times and the tank-MPG has never been a good match to my paper fill-up and odometer mileage records. But, I really like the SG for the dead accurate MPH and the Turbo-Boost readings.
My LTV Free Spirit 210 (Sprinter Diesel chassis) has been very consistent over 20,000 miles of mostly highway driving: 22 MPG at 65-70 and 26 MPG at 50-55 (my 20,000 mile average has been 23.98 MPG...I don't think it is fudging too much to tell my friends the Sprinter gets 24).
For RVing I vastly prefer the secondary back roads where 50-55 is never a traffic hazard ( and is where most of the West's scenic beauty lies). Indeed the best scenery in America seems to be along mountain secondary roads where 45-50 can be fast at times. The 26 MPG I get while relaxing and enjoying the view is a real added bonus!
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REK1
San Jose
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Joined: 09/21/2006
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Although I enjoy the savings of driving slower in the right lane, I hate all the pot holes I hit in the far right lanes caused by all the trucks. Most of the time I speed up and move over to the left only to avoid the deep holes that make me feel like we are going to rattle apart.
Ron - Roadtrek RS Adventurous
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Marty the Mutt Mom
Arizona, soon!
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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This topic brings up something I've been wondering about for some time. I've been told by a couple people (one a professional trucker) that diesel engines get their optimal MPG at 55-60 and going slower than that will not help. Anyone have any definitive information about that? And if it's true, is there an optimal speed/mpg factor for gasoline engines? I've been wondering about this for months and I could get a good night's sleep if I find out!
Marty
Marty
My Travel Blog
The MUTT (Marty's Ultimate Travelin' Toy): Leisure Travel Free Spirit 210B 3S
The Mutts: Rave - Border Collie mix; Wink - Miniature Longhaired Dachshund
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topless
Wichita, KS
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Joined: 08/03/2004
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I'd say that's a good number for most vehicles, gas or diesel. Between 55-65 most vehicles cross over a air resistance threshold where the wind resistance becomes the significant factor in fuel usage.
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CSG
ID
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Joined: 03/02/2001
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People, stay off the interstates and take the blue highways! Isn't that why we travel, to see the sights? The roads are usually better and you can drive at a more leisurely pace.
I almost never drive interstates no matter which of our rigs we're driving unless there are no reasonable alternatives.
2001 GMC EC 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0 V8
2007 Nash 27-5B
2002 Pleasure-Way Traverse
1990 Lance Squire 4000
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LVJJJ
NW WASHINGTON
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Joined: 12/29/2006
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I don't have a scangage but since I keep close track of my mileage, going 60 instead of 70 sure makes a difference. As others have said, it also relaxes me and I enjoy the trip more to slow down to 60. I find that 60 "feels better" than 55, so gotta make at least a mile a minute. The trucks around here (Blaine WA) tend to go 65 (speed limit for them is 60), so I tuck in behind them (at a reasonable distance), set the cruise and enjoy the drafting. I'm careful to not block any of the truckers or get in their way. Larry 05RT170
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6"
2005 ROADTREK 170 ('05 CHEVY VAN)
2006 RAINIER 20' TT
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)
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williegbro
Augusta GA
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Joined: 08/31/2008
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juliev wrote:I've noticed a significant difference too, between Chino and I driving. I tend to drive 60 - 65 MPH on the interstate, he drives 70 - 75 and is more aggressive. I just putz along and take my time. I definitely can get better mileage. On a 2 lane highway at 55 MPH I can get about 23 MPG.
23mpg, It think you are pulling our leg. You need to get a new calculator.
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