RV Buddy
Refuge
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Joined: 10/10/2008
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Thanks all for the interest. With this trip I get to visit some new territory and I am really looking forward to the ride. I do notice using more fuel in the hills, doesn’t everyone? Given that I am making our own timetable I was wondering if going for flat land trip might be a little easier at the pumps?
With such a long drive I was wondering if I might save a little fuel going west across the Mid Atlantic States and dropping down the Mississippi valley vs. dropping down through hills of the eastern seaboard and crossing west along the Gulf. Beside I have taken that trip a few times.
So this is a chance to do something new. I don’t need an extra fuel tank, additional maps thanks I am good and between Flying J and TA we can get enough diesel to keep moving. So I am looking to hear if anyone has experience they would like to share about a flat land trip.
Thanks,
A trip without as many hills might look something like this;
91 S to Hartford, CT
84 W to Scranton, PA
80 W to Youngstown, OH
71 S to Columbus, OH
70 W to Effingham, IL
57 S to Sikeston, MO
60 W to Poplar Bluff, AR
67 S to Little Rock, AR
30 W to Texarkana, TX … 59, 79, 77
A trip with hills might look something a little like this;
91 S to Hartford, CT
84 W to Scranton, PA
81 S to Knoxville, TN
40 W to Little Rock, AR
30 W to Texarkana, TX …
Any suggestions?
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mockturtle
Northwest
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There may be reasons to avoid grades but fuel mileage isn't one of them.
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RV Buddy
Refuge
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?
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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For what it's worth: I've towed many thousands of miles in mountains of the northeast, northwest, west and southwestern states. My mileage is not adversely affected by towing through mountains. If you only towed UP a mountain range it would be terrible but remember, you ALSO coast down the other side and I've always found it to be pretty much a "wash" on fuel mileage. Good luck / skip
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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I guess I read and understand your post different from the others and yourself. If I were going from your place to where you want to go, I sure wouldnt take I-81 if I were ducking grades.
There is no flatter route than 95 to richmond, 85 to atlanta, 20 to shreveport and 79 so to 35. Unless they have rebuilt 81 that is.
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smkettner
Southern California
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I always look to go over the worst grade as it seems to be the best drive. We have plenty of flat deserts out here that are just flat bordom. Just so there are places to fill up I don't worry about fuel.
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creeper
Richmond Hill, Georgia
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I wouldn't concern yourself with grade as wind is going to be the actual MPG factor.
For example I got 8 mpg going across the flats of South Dakota into a head wind.
I got 10 MPG going over the rockies into Denver.
I was very surprised at that.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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rv2go wrote:Pick up I-81 and travel it thru VA an TN to Knoxville, TN.
Take I-75 to Chattanooga TN.
Take I-59 to I-12 near New Orlens, LA
Take I-12 west to I-10
Take I-10 to Houston, TX
In Houston take US 59 to Victoria, Tx
In Victoria pick up 77 to Brownsville.
This is the route I take, only I start in Knoxville. There are no bad grades along this route.
that's how I go to Houston. but I-59 is awfully bumpy IIRC. but no really good option.
bumpy
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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WTTCS wrote:I guess I read and understand your post different from the others and yourself. If I were going from your place to where you want to go, I sure wouldnt take I-81 if I were ducking grades.
There is no flatter route than 95 to richmond, 85 to atlanta, 20 to shreveport and 79 so to 35. Unless they have rebuilt 81 that is.
I would never suggest that anybody drive on I-95 around Blt, DC, and south to Richmond. It might be flat but it can really suck. as well as going around Atlanta.
bumpy
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RV Buddy
Refuge
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Joined: 10/10/2008
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I am looking for a flat route and that is why the subject posting is "Taking the grade into account". Any help here on flat route finding?
Thank you,
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