[brucey]

Yeah, I was thinking what was better as far as mileage goes, brakes or engine braking. I'll try engine braking on the return trip.

Cbergeron: It probably would help, but I'm a boy scout and hate being caught off guard. Everytime I haven't packed something in the car I've wished I had it, and all of the extra stuff is probably only weighing 200 lbs tops.

My personal best tank was 34 mpg, and that was on the way to Detroit following a box van doing 80 mph, so 33 mpg on my own is a good start. So for now the short term goal is 35, and long term is 40.