Found a more direct route to work playing around on Google Maps the other night.
I used to jump in the highway for 2 exits (6 miles) to get to work but after looking around I found some sidestreets that get me there with the same number of traffic lights, at a lower speed (better FE), and is 1.8 miles shorter each way.
Due to the slower speeds and shorter route it takes exactly the same amount of time.
Over the course of a year this change will save over 900 miles on my car and $50 on gas!
You guys may want to check to see if there is a better route for any of your comutes.
The great thing about Google Maps (vs. Google Earth, Microsoft Streets & Trips, and other map sites/programs) is that you can drag the route around. That really helps put together routes like this.
Main Entry: co de pen dence - see codependency
co de pen den cy
Pronunciation: \kō-di-ˈpen-dən(t)-sē\
Function: noun
Date: 1979
: a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin) ; broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another
Well when I would take the highway I'd be jumping on I-95 in an area where they have a 70 mph speed limit and going less then the limit was suicide so I'd get between 37 - 44 mpg unless I got lucky and found a tractor trailer to draft (always at least 2 car lengths back). Then after those 6 miles I'm on sides streets that are about the same as my new route but with a bit more traffic so I feel I need to keep up at least 45 mph and get around 51 - 57 mpg.
On the backroad route there is hardly ever any traffic and it has long gentle up slopes and down slopes with speed limits ranging from 45 - 55 mph with 2 lanes per side in a couple of areas so I can putt along at 40 mph getting 55 - 62 mpg.
I was about 1/3 the way through my tank averaging 47 mpg when I discovered this new route and have already seen my average mpg for this tank go up to 48.5 as I am now at about 1/4 tank left.
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