I'm planning a trip cross country, about 3,000 miles, and am trying to estimate how much extra time and money it takes to cruise at 70mph vs
60mph. I've read that around 50-55mph is where optimal mileage occurs, but realistically, driving that slow on the open highway often comes with a lot of horns blowing and fingers wagging your way. So 60-70mph seems like a reasonable range to consider. I think these figures are about right; if not, somebody please correct me:A. As best I can determine, it looks like my '97 4cyl Camry, with two people and minimal luggage, on the highway should get about 28mpg @
70mph, and about 32mpg @ 60mph.B. If so, then:
cost @ 60mph:
3,000 miles / 32 mpg = 93.75 gallons @ $4.15 = $389.06time:
3,000 miles @ 60mph = 50 hourscost @ 70mph:
3,00 0miles / 28 mpg = 107.14 gallons @ $4.15 = $444.64time:
3,000 miles @ 70mph = 42.86 hours60mph: $389.06 50.00 hours
70mph: $444.64 42.86 hours----------------------------------- $ 55.08 7.14 hours
so, it costs about 7 hours to save about $55. In other words, if you drive slower, you?ll earn $55.58 for those 7.14 extra hours you?ll spend on the road, or $7.78/hour -for those 7 hours only, not for each hour of the entire trip. Is that about right?
Better yet, does anybody have more accurate mileage estimates for driving speeds, like a curve plot from 50mph - 80mph, etc?
And I've heard waxing the car can boost mileage up to 5%, which is probably true to some degree, but is there any real evidence out there? Just trying to think of everything before pulling out of the driveway...