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Part of my commute is a 55 mph psl 2-lane road with a few traffic lights and heavy traffic. There are two short places to pass in about 8 miles. Most times folks can not pass due to oncoming traffic. I usually have to maintain 55 mph in the long line of traffic so I’m not gaining in mileage, just holding my own. Once or twice a week I get a change to P&G once or twice before traffic catches up to me.

I came to my yield to enter this road and saw a large dump truck approaching. I had plenty of time so went ahead and got in front of it w/out having to stop. About .1 mile along a school bus pulled in front of me, he had plenty of time to do so also. The busses have a max speed of 45 mph when carrying and are great to follow for great mileage w/out being the one holding other traffic up. So, I am accelerating to 50 mph and FASing down to 40 mph behind the bus. The truck seemed to be going about 45 mph also and was a few tenth’s of a mile behind me. I could FAS until the truck started getting close, pop the clutch and accelerate to where I was gaining on the school bus and then FASs again until the truck got close. It was the most perfect situation that I have ever had on that stretch!

If it was warmer I would have had a record commute, as it was I did much better than my average winter commute home. It is nice to have the stars align now and again in your favor, doesn’t happen all that much… at least to me.

Yep, nice when the stars align like that. But one has to be alert to quickly see the situation, so it isn't all luck. Perhaps before school is out in the late spring you will get the conditions again and can get that record commute!

You can set your clock by school bus schedules. I'd start out early next Monday, find that side road the school bus entered from, and park on it 50-100' before its stop or yield sign. Then I'd note when the school bus arrives, follow it onto the main road, and follow it - every weekday school morning. At least I'd do that if I wanted to maximize my mpgs, and certainly to set my record commute.

About .1 mile along a school bus pulled in front of me, he had plenty of time to do so also. The busses have a max speed of 45 mph when carrying and are great to follow for great mileage w/out being the one holding other traffic up.

I LOVE this law. I usually find one of these on my way home around the Gormen St exit on I40, and follow it to Rock Query Rd. It's an easy 10-15 MPG bump in the Prius when I follow one.