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I went to visit a client today about 50 miles each way. On the way down there, I was running late and maintained about 65-70 MPH on the freeway portion and 60 MPH on the state hwy portion.

I achieved 60.3 MPG for the leg, all highway driving.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/DSC00116a.jpg

I the way home, I had chance to concentrate more. I averaged 60 MPH and used TPS 18 and IGN 20 settings for flat area cruise or SHM. On the downhills, I used a no charge/power setting on the HSI instead of try to hold WS on the other graphic. This yielded 72.6 MPG for the leg.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/DSC00118a.jpg

I think the Gen III is going to be a good highway car.

Hi Jud:

___I called Sean when I was in Rochester, MI about IGN 21/TPS 22 to 23 for a 75 to 80 mpg run. Although this was way to short, I only had the Prius-III for about 30 minutes and the highway was over 10 miles from it. She was sitting at 48 mph avg. speed and 79 mpg before the off-ramp.

___I reset on the on ramp and snapped the pic sitting at a light on the next off-ramp when turning around...

___After lunch, they allowed me to take it out for an around town drive with decent results. The 100 mpg pop was available in the stop light to stop light higher speeds as well.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/83_7_mpg_over_3_1_miles_at_42_mph_and_99_9_mpg_combo.jpg

___I still want a lot more time in one before I can say for yet sure but she was running at 1150 RPM while tooling down the highway at 50 mph and the iFCD was in the 70 to 80 mpg range?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I think it is going to put up some awesome numbers in the 45 MPH to 55 MPH range.

You guys are almost making me wish I'd pulled the trigger on the 2010. ;)

Consistent 80-90 MPG summertime tanks would be a done deal for me. As it is, the occasional highway trips really stand in the way.

Hi Jud:

___I am not sure just yet. You and Mike have the vehicle and the miles but I have not seen the breakout yet. The next time you are on an all-highway run RT, let us know.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It's numbers like that, that keep me coming back and seriously looking at the 2010 PIII.

Hi ALS:

___We need you to get into one for a quick test drive from a local dealership ;) Was that you that posted about two 5-minute bars at 100 + on one of these test drives yesterday?

___I have a Prius-III (base w/ the 15" wheels) arriving on the 8th and will be doing a drive from Chicago to NY and back to find out about its all-highway capabilities... I am still very concerned about the FCD reading 6 + over actual however as we saw in the Preview and my parents on their first fill. Also, will it match the Prius-II’s SHM or was my 3-mile experience downhill, with the wind or whatever fluke? I sure hope SHM is available and at higher speeds with the larger 1.8L although I suspect Jud and Mike (msirach) will let us know before I head out next week.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne,
It wasn't me. I haven't even sat in a Prius. I did look at a Honda HCHII at the local Auto Show.
I personally don't like wasting a salesman's time when I'm not ready to buy the car. I'm looking at buying in the fall sometime after labor day. When I'm ready, I usually drop the hammer with in five days from start to finish.

I'm right now reading everything I can get my hands on from owners of the HCHII and the new Prius III. Before the 2010 PIII I really never even considered the Prius.

Hi ALS:

___I will be passing through Erie on my way back to Chicago on Tuesday the 14th and could detour down to I-80 on I-79 if you would like to head up from Pittsburgh and drive it for an hour or so without any salesman pressure? Once you do, your mind will probably be made up ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

___I have a Prius-III (base w/ the 15" wheels) arriving on the 8th and will be doing a drive from Chicago to NY and back to find out about its all-highway capabilities... I

Wayne, on your highway runs, I would suggest you check some higher speeds than you usually do. According to some SAE papers the increase of high speed MPG has been focused at 100 KPH (62MPH).

Wayne

Hi ALS:

___I will be passing through Erie on my way back to Chicago on Tuesday the 14th and could detour down to I-80 on I-79 if you would like to head up from Pittsburgh and drive it for an hour or so without any salesman pressure? Once you do, your mind will probably be made up ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne,
I'm going to have to take you up on that offer. I looked at the schedule and I'm well covered (employees) for the day.
So being the boss there is no reason I can't get away for the day. :D

Hi Wayne:

___Mike has already done some cross country traveling at those speeds and the results were ok (50 to 57 mpg IIRC) but also somewhat mediocre vs. what we strive for... During the Prius-III Preview in Napa Valley, Danny was driving w/ CC at 65 mph in mid 30 degree temps and the results were below 50 mpg :(

___Fortunately or not, there is not a speed limit above 55 mph in our area from the WI border to almost Joliet so that should help with the local travel. 60 + outside is not going to allow the 70 mpg that I hope is available just as SHM disappears at about 53 mph on the flats with the Prius-II.

___I do check out higher speeds in WI but they have yet to work out in any vehicle I have ever driven. Maybe this time they will :) We’ll see but it appears that 60 mph offers a 60 mpg (per the aFCD) like result just like the last generations? The aFCD issue is my main concern as 60 mpg may be 54 mpg actual. Jud and Mike have not reported anything yet? Are you through your first tank yet?

___How are the Japanese doing at 100 kph? I believe that is their speed limit which follows along with the 62 mph request.

___ALS, cool! I should hit Erie about 10:00 AM, down to the I-79/I-80 junction at about 11:30 or so? I will PM you my cel and we can meet up at a truck stop in that area about that time on the 14th!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Over the years with non hybrids I have owned 62.1 mph or 100 kph was the sweet spot.
Not the most efficient but with the added speed it kind of made it the best of both worlds.

You got slightly lower fuel mileage but time wise it was just a bit slower than optimum.

I might lose at most .5 to .75 mpg running 62.1 over 55 mph.
At 65 mph I lose at least 2 mpg over running 55 mph.
That last 3 mph does make that much of a difference.
At 70 mph I lose another 3 mpg over 65 mph.
70 mph or more the increased cost of fuel not worth the time savings.

Trips under 50 miles I run 55 mph
Trips up to 50-100 miles I run 100kph
Trips over 100-125 miles I run a maximum of 65 mph.