MPG on first long trip

[TonyS]

Just thought I'd share. I made my first long trip with my 2022 Maverick XL hybrid. 607 miles there, 607 back.

The trip to North Carolina I drove the way I always have for long trips. Staying 3-5 mph over the speed limit. The vast majority of the travel the speed limit was 70. Even on the West Virginia Turnpike which gets pretty white knuckle at that speed. I stayed at 70 or less for that mountainous stretch.

The return trip I decided to deliberately go slower. Both more relaxed and I wanted to see what sort of difference in gas mileage. For the return trip I was never more than 65 mph and usually 62-63.

For both trips there were some slower 55 mph stretches due to construction, but not all that many miles.

The difference in MPG was pretty substantial...

Trip up - exactly the EPA estimate of 33 mpg
Trip back - 42.5 mpg. Nearly everyone passing me.... Old man in a hybrid. Don't bother riding my ass or flashing your lights. I ain't goin no faster. Feel free to go around me.

The trip back did take 90 minutes longer. The Rostra cruise control worked just fine and the same shop that installed the cruise control also installed heated seats, which kept my old back a lot more comfy.

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[lm126027]

My 1st long trip will be over the Xmas holidays in my 2024 Lariat EB. Will be almost 1000 miles each way. Done some 100 mile-ers around here and getting 28+. Still in break-in...1600+ miles.

 

[SamFranco]

I just did a 1700 mile trip from Oxford Ms to Richmond Va and back in a 2024 hybrid. Drove 6-7 miles over the speed limit whenever possible. The trip was from Oxford/Huntsville/Chattanooga/Knoxville/Bristol/Roanoke/Charlottesville/Richmond and back.

Averaged 37.8 mpg.

No problems even in the mountains/hills.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

The difference in MPG was pretty substantial...

I've have the exact same experience when comparing speed & MPG.
Fortunately, the stretch of 2-lane I travel the most, also gets excellent mileage. Most of it driven between 20-40 mph with lots of hills & curves, and stop & go in town. I get either side of 50MPG on those frequent trips. Using the EV Coach in hilly terrain really helps keeping it in Electric mode.

 

[TonyS]

I just did a 1700 mile trip from Oxford Ms to Richmond Va and back in a 2024 hybrid. Drove 6-7 miles over the speed limit whenever possible. The trip was from Oxford/Huntsville/Chattanooga/Knoxville/Bristol/Roanoke/Charlottesville/Richmond and back.

Averaged 37.8 mpg.

No problems even in the mountains/hills.

That's a great average!

I should mention that I calculated mileage manually - miles traveled and amount of gas put in the truck. But as you mention, according to the mpg estimate on the dash, my mileage was actually a bit better in the mountainous stretch (I had to stop for a break....) than the overall trip. I'm only guessing, but maybe it's getting a lot more regenerative energy during all the downhill parts where the power indicator is well into the green. Balances out all the uphill driving.

 

[MetalsGeek]

Yes, going fast enough to keep the ICE running continuously will de-hybrid your MPG. Makes total sense, eh? I think the power meter will teach you a LOT about drag-vs-speed if you pay attention. e.g. Wind drag increases by the square of the speed, I believe. I get my best MPG in heavy freeway traffic, lumbering along at 30 with the herd. My best full-tank average was over 50 MPG but I had to drive like my avatar and many trips were longer than 20 miles so I had fewer engine warm-up cycles that usual.

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