hardware: -2002 Impreza 2.5TS, 90k miles -Yakima racks + 3 pairs of skis with poles mounted in the less aerodynamically efficient way possible -car loaded with 2 adults and 7 years old boy and all the gear for 9 days ski trip
route and time frame: -Chicago-Denver-Santa Fe-Springfield Missouri-Chicago (3400 miles) -December 25 2005 to January 1 2006
scenario #1: -Iowa -heavy rain -very strong front-side wind -car speed 75-85 mph -20 MPG
scenario #2: -Colorado -no wind, beautiful weather -car speed: 85-95 mph -22 MPG
scenario #3: -Santa Fe -frequent mountains trips -heavy acceleration on the mountains roads -relatively slow driving -23.5 MPG
scenario #4: -Texas -car speed: 80-85 mph -VERY strong tail wind -27MPG
scenario #5: -Missouri and Illinois -car speed: 65-70 mph -no wind -26.5 MPG
bottom line: -MPGwise: 70mpg and 80mph are totally different. Andy