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| Ready to head North |
Gasoline and MPG statistics for a 1,900 mile trek completed May 25 in our 2013 210P.
Note: I don't separate gas with ethanol from gas without when I do my MPG statistics. Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline and it has been reported that MPG numbers decrease when using gasoline containing ethanol. According to the EPA:
"Ethanol contains about one-third less energy than gasoline. So, vehicles will typically go 3% to 4% fewer miles per gallon on E10 and 4% to 5% fewer on E15 than on 100% gasoline." Here's a link to the EPA site:
https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/ethanol.shtml
Trek Statistics
The overall trek distance was about 2,025 miles, but with a stopover of a few days in Illinois I considered that to be the end. Several days later we continued to MI, but I have not yet refilled the gas tank, so I don't have a receipt for the final segment, and we'll be doing local driving for a while.
The MPG statistics were determined using the gasoline receipts. The MPG varied with altitude and speed, which I would expect. Here are the summary statistics:
Gallons consumed: 118.7
Total cost: $371.02
Average price per gallon: $3.12
Lowest price per gallon: $2.589 (NM)
Octane: 86, 87, 88 (some stations carry 86 and 88, no 87 - see notes)
MPG overall: 15.313
Details
MPG for 745 mile segment at 55-60 MPH: 17.06
MPG for 782 mile segment at 75-80 MPH: 13.24
We travelled on interstates and highways, as well as local roads. The speeds on local roads were 25-45 MPH stop-and-go, 55-60 mph on highways, and 75-80 MPH on interstates in the west.
Highest price for gasoline was for 13.255 gallons of gas in Ordway CO at 10855 County Road G. The price for "plus" gasoline was $3.659 per gallon. I wanted to add a higher octane to offset the previous fill-up of 86 octane; 87 wasn't available. I do this so as to maintain a blend of 87 octane in the gas tank, which is what GM recommends for this 6.8 liter engine in the Chevy chassis
With the above exception, the highest price for gasoline for this trek was in DuPage County Illinois. The price per gallon for 87 octane was $3.169 per gallon in Warrenville, Illinois. That's lower in price than Chicago.
Insights - recorded mileage statistics
The MPG varied by segment. MPG was influenced by altitude, topography and speed.
The best mileage was from Altoona, IA. to Warrenville, IL This was a level stretch of mostly interstate travel. Altoona is 919 feet above sea level. The MPG for that 324 mile segment was 21 MPG. That segment was nearer to sea level, and had a speed limit of 55-60 MPH.
The lowest MPG was from York, NE to Altoona, IA. The MPG for this segment was 12.66 MPG.
How I Drive -This influences MPG statistics
I travel predominantly with prevailing traffic. I prefer to avoid the right lane, so I am usually one lane over. But, I never ride or hog the left lane. I do appreciate that many don't like to drive behind a billboard that fills their view.
So, I balance courtesy with reality. And if I am one lane to the left of the rightmost, then I put the pedal to the metal and do whatever the traffic is doing in that lane.
If I am unwilling to do that, then I get back in the right lane.
As a consequence, my speed may exceed 80 MPH for very short periods. My Verizon Hum lets me know each time I exceed that upper boundary.
Notes:
- Load: Two adults, the outside fresh water tank was full, the inside tank empty. A couple of hundred pounds on a rear carrier.
- Generator: we didn't use the generator. According to Onan the generator consumes 0.28 gph at half load and 0.46 gph at full load. If one uses the generator, it is to be expected that MPG numbers will decrease.
- Overall about 90% of the miles driven were highway/interstate. In other words, about 200 miles were "local" miles with stop-and-go and speeds of 25-45 MPH.
- Some western stations have 86 and 88 octane but no 87. If there is no 87 octane available I'll use 86, then fill it the next time with 88, etc. The fuel in the tank is therefor a blended 87 octane, and the overall cost is an average of these.
- The cost of "Plus" grade (89) was $3.659 per gallon at a NM stop.
Original Material Roadtrek210.blogspot.com
