27 mpg + ... in the slow lane

[Gasherbrum]

On a trip from DC up to Philadelphia yesterday, I decided to see what happens if I drove at a snail's pace. So set my cruise control at 61 (for Highway 61 Revisited), took ownership of the right lane and enjoyed my coffee. (There are 4 lanes for most of I-95 along the Acela Corridor, so I don't think I got flipped the bird too much, not that I was counting). Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

I'm on Firestone AT2's and use premium gas. Speed really affects the LC mileage, it seems I lose about 1 mpg for every 3 mph increase. So if I'm going 75, my mpg is around 22 to 23. If I have my beloved old Yakima crossbars on, I lose another 2 mpg.

I believe the EPA highway estimates are still based on a crazy low average speed of 48 mph, with a max speed of 60 mph. So I guess the moral of the story is that while you can achieve the EPA estimates, you'll need to drive pretty slow and bear the occasional hand gestures from all the cars whizzing past you.

 

[basicxj]

On a trip from DC up to Philadelphia yesterday, I decided to see what happens if I drove at a snail's pace. So set my cruise control at 61 (for Highway 61 Revisited), took ownership of the right lane and enjoyed my coffee. (There are 4 lanes for most of I-95 along the Acela Corridor, so I don't think I got flipped the bird too much, not that I was counting). Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

I'm on Firestone AT2's and use premium gas. Speed really affects the LC mileage, it seems I lose about 1 mpg for every 3 mph increase. So if I'm going 75, my mpg is around 22 to 23. If I have my beloved old Yakima crossbars on, I lose another 2 mpg.

I believe the EPA highway estimates are still based on a crazy low average speed of 48 mph, with a max speed of 60 mph. So I guess the moral of the story is that while you can achieve the EPA estimates, you'll need to drive pretty slow and bear the occasional hand gestures from all the cars whizzing past you.

I find the adaptive cruise control useful and use it on the highway. Yesterday someone cut me off in the slow lane and traffic in front of them slowed right down. My Land Cruiser slowed down to match and maintain the set following distance. After having a few tailgaters right on my back bumper I got a hand gesture indicating I was "number one" from someone that veered into the left lane to pass, but they used the wrong finger . They went to slide in front of me at high speed and found a line of slow moving vehicles in their path but had to cut me off and squeeze into that gap anyway.

Some people can't bear to follow someone leaving a gap in traffic in the form of a safe following distance, and if you are driving something taller with tinted windows (like a Land Cruiser) they can't read the traffic ahead and can drive erratically if they feel you are going too slow. One man's safe following distance is another man's "hey- you aren't tailgating the car in front of you enough"

The benefit of driving something taller like an SUV or pickup in traffic is you have sight lines allowing you to read the road ahead and react accordingly.

 

[cvx5832LC]

On a trip from DC up to Philadelphia yesterday, I decided to see what happens if I drove at a snail's pace. So set my cruise control at 61 (for Highway 61 Revisited), took ownership of the right lane and enjoyed my coffee. (There are 4 lanes for most of I-95 along the Acela Corridor, so I don't think I got flipped the bird too much, not that I was counting). Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

I'm on Firestone AT2's and use premium gas. Speed really affects the LC mileage, it seems I lose about 1 mpg for every 3 mph increase. So if I'm going 75, my mpg is around 22 to 23. If I have my beloved old Yakima crossbars on, I lose another 2 mpg.

I believe the EPA highway estimates are still based on a crazy low average speed of 48 mph, with a max speed of 60 mph. So I guess the moral of the story is that while you can achieve the EPA estimates, you'll need to drive pretty slow and bear the occasional hand gestures from all the cars whizzing past you.

Appreciate the test results and I've noticed the same in slow (but consistently moving) traffic. My problem is that the LC is just as nimble and fun as my other cars (well, maybe not the GR) and I drive it as such. Cruising at 80+ mph feels planted and stable. For that I get 19.3 mpg (tracked over 50k+ miles) and I'm ok with it. Probably an mpg hit as well running regular.

 

[FarooqMCSE]

On a trip from DC up to Philadelphia yesterday, I decided to see what happens if I drove at a snail's pace. So set my cruise control at 61 (for Highway 61 Revisited), took ownership of the right lane and enjoyed my coffee. (There are 4 lanes for most of I-95 along the Acela Corridor, so I don't think I got flipped the bird too much, not that I was counting). Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

I'm on Firestone AT2's and use premium gas. Speed really affects the LC mileage, it seems I lose about 1 mpg for every 3 mph increase. So if I'm going 75, my mpg is around 22 to 23. If I have my beloved old Yakima crossbars on, I lose another 2 mpg.

I believe the EPA highway estimates are still based on a crazy low average speed of 48 mph, with a max speed of 60 mph. So I guess the moral of the story is that while you can achieve the EPA estimates, you'll need to drive pretty slow and bear the occasional hand gestures from all the cars whizzing past you.

Yes sir, I agree, slowpokes do get great mileage, as I am one of those.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Highway mileage estimate is 25mpg. And testing is done at 65mph, flat terrain if I remember correctly. Easy to get 25mpg in those conditions. And yes, mileage difference between 75 & 80 mph typically differs by 2mpg. Fortunately north of Maryland or you WERE in the fast lane.

 

[MSINAL]

What a show-off!

I can't handle the guilt of holding up traffic.

 

[WeCruising]

Similar result here. Driving the I-5 in Willamette Valley here in Oregon I hit a similar number, maybe a little higher over 130 miles roundtrip. Totally doable depending on terrain. No speeding, just driving the speed limit (65 mph).

 

[virginia-john]

This time of year with the warmer weather I can get a lot of 25-30 MPG even around town... We live in area with rolling hills but a lot of long stretches of country roads done The highway it's harder for me to go slow, more like 21-22 mpg.

 

[APIOQM]

Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

The EPA highway rating is 25 mpg.

 

[grandsons]

Yesterday I went to Gregoy Sokolov concert, 183km on left lane "grand pa style" all the way to Zurich, 2h17 80km/h average speed, 6,4L/100. The picture show the data from "My Toyota" app sorry in french.

In Imperial units, 114 miles journey to Zurich, 2h17 total driving time, 50MPH average speed, 36,8MPG

Stock LC250 2,8l turbo diesel non hybrid, with +50kg of skid plates, 3 peoples on board.

Danke Rudolf Diesel!

 

[park0388]

Seems like aerodynamic drag catches up quickly once you get above 70 mph. Thanks for sharing the numbers.

 

[Ed1]

And wind direction/speed is also an MPG factor in a boxy vehicle like the LC traveling at highway speeds.

 

[FarooqMCSE]

Yesterday I went to Gregoy Sokolov concert, 183km on left lane "grand pa style" all the way to Zurich, 2h17 80km/h average speed, 6,4L/100. The picture show the data from "My Toyota" app sorry in french.
View attachment 68607
In Imperial units, 114 miles journey to Zurich, 2h17 total driving time, 50MPH average speed, 36,8MPG

Stock LC250 2,8l turbo diesel non hybrid, with +50kg of skid plates, 3 peoples on board.

Danke Rudolf Diesel!

Thanks for sharing. Mr. Diesel left a very heavy impact on all the heavy duty machines of the world. Danke Mr. Diesel

 

[grandsons]

And wind direction/speed is also an MPG factor in a boxy vehicle like the LC traveling at highway speeds.

Not a major windy day if I remember well.

 

[Rødby]

What a show-off!

I can't handle the guilt of holding up traffic.

That's the excuse I'm going to use the next time my wife expresses her displeasure at my driving "spiritedly."

 

[roadventure]

Today on a trip to get some house paint.

 

[Calokie]

dang that tank is low lol,

 

[roadventure]

dang that tank is low lol,

I have gotten used to it. I fill it up and it empties.

 

[Bajacruzzer]

On a trip from DC up to Philadelphia yesterday, I decided to see what happens if I drove at a snail's pace. So set my cruise control at 61 (for Highway 61 Revisited), took ownership of the right lane and enjoyed my coffee. (There are 4 lanes for most of I-95 along the Acela Corridor, so I don't think I got flipped the bird too much, not that I was counting). Averaged 27.6 mpg round-trip per the dash reading, so right at the EPA highway estimates.

I'm on Firestone AT2's and use premium gas. Speed really affects the LC mileage, it seems I lose about 1 mpg for every 3 mph increase. So if I'm going 75, my mpg is around 22 to 23. If I have my beloved old Yakima crossbars on, I lose another 2 mpg.

I believe the EPA highway estimates are still based on a crazy low average speed of 48 mph, with a max speed of 60 mph. So I guess the moral of the story is that while you can achieve the EPA estimates, you'll need to drive pretty slow and bear the occasional hand gestures from all the cars whizzing past you.

Good for you, I couldn’t amagine going anywhere at 61 mph. If I’m driving 61 mph it’s on road with a 55 mph sign with a speed trap ahead.

 

[Meteor]

And wind direction/speed is also an MPG factor in a boxy vehicle like the LC traveling at highway speeds.

I was averaging 350 miles/tank driving 75 MPH in the flats of Colorado.

Going to the Tetons, I drove west on I-80 through Wyoming at 70 MPH against 40+ MPH winds. Got off 80 and filled up; the mileage estimate showed just below 300. She's a big ol' brick!