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Like the title says. just want to hear what you guys think about this.


these are just examples to keep things simple

short trip 5 miles to work and get 38.4x mpg use only .13 gas

longer trip 7 miles to work and get 40 mpg using .175 gas


I get better mileage on the longer trip but use more gas overall.


your opinion please?

Hi LXmike:

Use only .13 gas or less please.

Good Luck

Wayne

Easy decision to me. You could save the planet, the economy, and a little bit of cash; or you could get e-bragging rights.

True fact: I could improve my commute mpg by taking a longer route: I could drive right past work, do a few miles country roads, then drive back to work and park. Your longer route is far less extreme, but it's the same principle.

I'm in agreement. The only reason I'd drive the longer route is if it allows the car to warm up all the way and the shorter one doesn't. The lower total fuel use is more important.

The less gas use will be more of a benefit.

the idea is to use less fuel, not nice mpg numbers ( for me, at least)

Bicycle to work. I did it for 9 years when the ride was just 6.5 miles each way.

Count me in with the less fuel or bicycle crowd.

Agreed. Cycle it if you can. You'd save gas, wear on the car and you'd get more than enough exercise. Plus you might save more gas because you'd eliminate some other short car rides.

I would, however, understand if the nature of the route made you uncomfortable. As with motorcycling, cycling has its risks. I've never felt in danger here, but I'm in Maine. I'd be commuting by bicycle if I were only 5 miles away.

On your reported mileage, it's conceivable that the 2nd route doesn't truly have better mileage. You could have equivalent routes with 44.65mpg once fully warmed up.

The only exception I'd make to choosing the route with lower gas consumption is if the more efficient route were particularly harsh on the car.

Wow, thnx for all the replies!

my car does get warmed up but takes about 3 miles or so to do that this time of year.


as foir the bike idea: i'd have to work up to going 5 mile on my bike i'm no spring chicken anymore (50 y.o.a) it is something to look into cause there is a bike path from end of my street all the way to my job.

I was basicly doing the longer route to get the good mpg numbers, but like i mentioned I was buring the extra fuel to do so.

going back to the shorter route.

Until recently when I had to change my route for morning school delivery...

I have 2 options on my route: 9 miles and 10.5 miles. They both use approximately the same fuel, tested over and over again. I take the longer route. ;)

as for the bike idea: i'd have to work up to going 5 mile on my bike i'm no spring chicken anymore (50 y.o.a) it is something to look into cause there is a bike path from end of my street all the way to my job.

:eek: Why did you even ask us about gas mileage? :p

OK, I don't know what you're feeling at 50, but I'm confident that if you're prepared to allow yourself plenty of time and it's not an undulating route you'll be able to cycle those 5 miles easily. And with it being a bike path you can take your time without worrying about holding up cars. Just start in a lower gear to keep it easy and over time you'll be able to go up the gears. As long as you take it easy to start with your first ride or two back on a bicycle will only cause your quads to ache a bit (you'll feel it going up stairs) but that should be it.

If the terrain would be too much for your body you can consider an e-bike. Wal*Mart sells (http://www.walmart.com/ip/eZip-Trailz-Electric-Bicycle/11988713?sourceid=1500000000000003260420&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11988713#ProductDetail) a bottom-end PbA one that's $400 with a spec'ed range of 15 miles which should be sufficient to cover your commute. It's heavy, but as long as you can roll it around everywhere it shouldn't be a problem to handle.

I'm hoping the greatest number of Vs in the EV revolution will be e-bikes.

Enjoy the ride!

It is short trips, that we all make, that are the perfect fit for the BEV be it a bike or larger vehicle. When a BEV moves the first foot it is efficient. No warm-up required for efficiency.

A block or oil heater is a potential option for earlier efficiency in a ICE vehicle. Easy to install on some a bit more effort on others and the pay back in terms of money might be awhile, especially if dealer installed. But it should be immediate in terms of using less fuel and running cleaner.

BTW 50 is pretty darn young as viewed by many.

I was biking to work when I was 50. I credit it with helping me avoid the cluster of heart attacks that get so many men in their late 40s and early 50s. As Itsallaboutthemoney says, anybody can work up to a 5 mile bike ride easily. Your legs will get stronger day by day. After a week, your legs won't even notice you've done it.

As Itsallaboutthemoney

*Cough*

Arrgh! A Freudian slip on my part. My humblest apologies to you, It'sNotAboutTheMoney. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's not about the money.

Arrgh! A Freudian slip on my part. My humblest apologies to you, It'sNotAboutTheMoney. It's not about the money. Etc.

It's ok. My name refers in particular to my choice of car but in other ways I'm, um, fiscally conservative. ;)

With corn in the tank--- 20% less mileage. Stop the madness of burning food for fuel.