Various transportation methods, how many gallons to go 350 miles - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Daox · 03-20-2009, 01:34 PM

I found this over lunch today. Its pretty interesting. The chart shows how many gallons of gas it takes per person to go 350 miles.

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Frank Lee · 03-20-2009, 04:22 PM

Great graphic. Surprised that the motor coach beats Amtrak by that much.

Reminds me of an article from back in the day by Peter Egan which compares the fuel mileage of a Honda Cub to that of an athlete riding a bicycle. The Honda won.

Clev · 03-20-2009, 06:56 PM

Great, thanks. I saw (cheeseburger) x 16 and now I'm hungry. :-)

Matt Herring · 03-20-2009, 07:13 PM

At 15 miles per hour on a bicycle to travel 350 miles it would take you about 24 hours. Is it even possible to consume 16 cheeseburgers in 24 hours? I'd like to take a crack at that one! Great info. Daox!

some_other_dave · 03-20-2009, 08:10 PM

If you're in shape for riding a bike for 24 hours in a row, you can probably eat 16 cheeseburgers in 24 hours. Just ask Michael Phelps!

-soD

jamesqf · 03-21-2009, 01:07 PM

I have to wonder about some of their numbers. I can't for instance see motorcycles getting better mpg than a typical hybrid. I've owned a good many motorcycles over my life, and the only one that'd get close to 50 mpg was my first 305 CC Honda, back in the '70s.

Then there's the cruise ship, which if you think about it gets 0 mpg. You get on it, stay a while, it burns a bunch of fuel - and when you get off, you're right back where you started :-)

Clev · 03-21-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesqf

I have to wonder about some of their numbers. I can't for instance see motorcycles getting better mpg than a typical hybrid. I've owned a good many motorcycles over my life, and the only one that'd get close to 50 mpg was my first 305 CC Honda, back in the '70s.

My Helix would get 55 mpg at 65 mph. At 60 mph, I imagine most lower-displacement motorcycles would average 50 mpg.

GenKreton · 03-21-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm surprised at how bad cruise ships are since cargo ships are so efficient. I'm also surprised amtrack loses that badly to buses. Is there a specific reason? Like outdated train systems? Again, rail is MUCH more efficient at cargo for numbers I saw.

wagonman76 · 03-21-2009, 11:47 PM

The numbers are probably just a best guess. I certainly would not say the average SUV gets 21 mpg, especially when driven by the average driver. I don't know of any that get over 20.

And isn't a hybrid about the same efficiency as a typical sedan when driven nonstop on a long trip (like the straight 350 miles from the chart)? The big gains come in the city when you aren't just sitting in traffic and burning gas.

But still, it is a good chart.

I've never had a motorcycle, but I would have thought you could get 100 mpg on one. I wonder why so low, maybe they're just geared for performance rather than economy? Might as well just drive a Metro if you're in it for fuel savings.

Frank Lee · 03-22-2009, 12:46 AM

Seems like typical U.S. motorcycles are pretty much in the 50 mpg range; little stuff like Honda 50s get 100+. Of course they aren't going 55 mph either.