[the_bruce]

Last week I drove the van down to Venice, Florida with a load of shingles to repair my folks' roof after Ian. I logged about 22-23 MPG consistently through the trip down there and back to Indiana. That was a big surprise since I usually get about 10 mpg in town. Is that a normal disparity or are other folks faring better with in-town driving?

I have about 106K miles on old Bessie, and last year changed spark plugs, wires, distributor/cap/rotor in an attempt to run down a random misfire. The misfire turned out to be the ignition control module connector, and ever since it has run perfectly except the in-town mileage. This weekend I plan on switching out the belt tensioner and idler since at least one of them is making an annoying whining noise, but other than that the engine seems to be in tip-top shape.

Bruce

 

[yoshmyster]

Maybe the load made the ride low so better aerodynamics? Or you had actual gasoline and not the booze gas blend like I get that gets me 16 miles city/highway?

 

[Mmusicman]

It doesn't seem likely to me.
I suppose if you drove slow and easy then maybe.
Sounds like it was a good trip

 

[M_a_t_t]

You didn't mention if it was awd or not. That seems like a big jump.

 

[the_bruce]

It's RWD - on the way down I kept it at around 60-65 MPH. The mileage was slightly lower (mile or two per gallon) on the way back up but I was driving a little faster, 65-70 MPH, so between that and the load it's probably a wash. I just filled up with the normal 10% ethanol blend I always use. Total gas for the trip was slightly over $300. I will say one thing, gas is MUCH cheaper once you get down to TN, GA & FL as compared to Indiana. We're still over $4 where I live, and cheapest I found was a Sam's Club in Val Dosta at $2.85.

 

[Mmusicman]

Last week when I filled up in South Florida gas was $2.90 (typical gas station)
Florida is also currently on a "gas state tax holiday" for the month of October.
We also don't have state income tax either... but that's another story.
Things are VERY different down here.

Somewhere between 60-70mph is probably the sweet spot.
Personally, I can't drive that slow.
I've seen 18 going one direction, and 12 the same return trip (later same day).. due to wind direction.
How you drive, and well as conditions can have have a dramatic effect on fuel economy results.

 

[gwd]

I noticed that when I drive from Montreal to Boston through Vermont and New Hampshire, my gas mileage does not change much if I am with full load of people or little.
What really makes a difference is city driving. Especially stop and go. Just uses gas fast.