72 mph vs 55 mph

[B25Nut]

BFFH, I would average 75+ mph on the freeway portion of my nine mile each way daily commute. AFFH, I'm down to a 68 mph average, which is not due to the Fusion's performance. It likes to go fast. But I have found, like others here, that on short trips, many times that slow poking mini-pickup you passed on the way to work ends up pulling in behind you at the stoplight when you get off the freeway. Even if you hit all green lights, it's still just a couple of minutes difference, which results in just more time at work.

For long trips, however, it is a different story for me. They usually involve visiting family that I don't get to see often enough, so on my 290 mile trips to So. Cal., I average around 72 mph, which gives me about 37 mpg. If I averaged 55 mph, I could probably get close to 47 mpg, but it would take me one and a quarter hours longer. Those 75 minutes extra that I get to spend with family are worth the $7.50 more that I end up spending on gas.

Getting good gas mileage is important to me, but I get a bigger kick out of always (unless there is a Tesla there) being the best looking car in the parking lot. Doing this with a car I can really afford makes the feeling even better. The comfort of the Fusion also trumps my MPG.

[gadgetguy]

BFFH, I would average 75+ mph on the freeway portion of my nine mile each way daily commute. AFFH, I'm down to a 68 mph average, which is not due to the Fusion's performance. It likes to go fast. But I have found, like others here, that on short trips, many times that slow poking mini-pickup you passed on the way to work ends up pulling in behind you at the stoplight when you get off the freeway. Even if you hit all green lights, it's still just a couple of minutes difference, which results in just more time at work.

For long trips, however, it is a different story for me. They usually involve visiting family that I don't get to see often enough, so on my 290 mile trips to So. Cal., I average around 72 mph, which gives me about 37 mpg. If I averaged 55 mph, I could probably get close to 47 mpg, but it would take me one and a quarter hours longer. Those 75 minutes extra that I get to spend with family are worth the $7.50 more that I end up spending on gas.

Getting good gas mileage is important to me, but I get a bigger kick out of always (unless there is a Tesla there) being the best looking car in the parking lot. Doing this with a car I can really afford makes the feeling even better. The comfort of the Fusion also trumps my MPG.

B25Nut I agree with what you say. Sometimes you just have to get where you are going and no matter the speed the Fusion Hybrid does it in style!

[rjent]

Well *cough cough* being retired, I compromise at 64. I am getting consistently 42 to 44 MPG doing that. I try to take back roads as much as I can, but the West is full of unused space with no roads (thank God). So staying off the Interstates is challenging. I HAVE found though, in my neck of the woods that taking the older highways saves a lot of distance which can actually make up for the lost time due to speed. The Interstate system was designed to "pickup" as much urban as possible since it was a military design to begin with so saving distance was not as much a factor as the original national road layout.

 

Anyway, an old retiree's opinion (AORO) :)

[keithsm2]

i just did a trip to northwest kansas.....had a nasty headwind and going about 78MPH.......i had a tank at 29 MPG :( but like ya say.....sometimes ya just gotta get there.......I hate that a 1400 mile trip on my new Hybrid has killed my mileage..

[acdii]

I have to agree with this, Drive Smarter, not Faster does hold its place, but there are times where doing the speed limit on the Interstate does mean something more than a few MPG. Now that I have the new HyTi, its what I wanted from the start, and even if I only get 42 MPG in it, or less, I dont really care now, as it is one the the best looking, riding, driving cars on the road, and its MINE!

[dalesky]

Got to agree with everyone. I do most of my driving in town, that is, at speeds averaging under 60. I am now getting a flat 40mpg average doing that. What's not to like? Sure, some trips I can get over 50MPG, but the average over the last 4+ weeks is excellent. Coupled with the comfort, features and fun to drive quotient, this is a keeper.

Let's say I travel to Florida, about an 8 hour trip from here. I can take freeway much of the way. Cars will be passing me doing well over 80. I can drive 70 or close to it. OK, then I get to whatever area I am going to. I stay there for 1 to 2 weeks. While there I am driving mostly local streets, and once again getting the mileage I bought the car for. Seems good to me.

 

Just wanted to point out that one CAN, but doesn't have to, drive under the posted speed of 70. Just a thought

[fusionTX]

I am willing to drive 60 to 62 on Houston highways, as that makes little difference in time in getting where I am going.

But anytime I have to take a road trip out of town, I would have a hard time going below 70. I fully agree with B25Nut.

[Da0ne]

in my trip to florida from NYC i avg 41.5 mpg going and returning was 42.5 mpg i did most of the time 70 mph

[keithsm2]

in my trip to florida from NYC i avg 41.5 mpg going and returning was 42.5 mpg i did most of the time 70 mph

 

More info please....did you have tail winds? did you use eco cruise?? anything else special?? I think mine will get about 33 to 35 mpg at 75mph little to no wind. Eco Cruise

[fusionTX]

 

More info please....did you have tail winds? did you use eco cruise?? anything else special?? I think mine will get about 33 to 35 mpg at 75mph little to no wind. Eco Cruise

There is a big difference MPG-wise between 70 and 75

[Da0ne]

 

More info please....did you have tail winds? did you use eco cruise?? anything else special?? I think mine will get about 33 to 35 mpg at 75mph little to no wind. Eco Cruise

 

couldnt tell if any wind on the way down drove all night by the time morning came i was down by Georgia so had no wind from what i could tell, on the way back had a little crosswind when i got to DC area.

 

yes eco cruise the whole time