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Josua - the "infinite mechanics knowledge" answer to this question is a tough one to wrap your head around. The answer lies in the BSFC chart. That's Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (the name won't help you understand, i'm just saying). What this chart describes for you is the power-generated-per-flow-rate for any given RPM and Load. That is to say that it tells you how much energy is being extracted out of that gallon of gas. There is a BSFC for every engine.
What you'd need to know is the load and the RPM for cruising at 35 in each gear. Unless you have feedback instrumentation or an intimate knowledge of the mathematical model of your vehicle then you can't get the load.
One point of confusion is that load is NOT proportional to throttle position. I believe that it is possible to have 100% load at 50% throttle if the engine could not put out more power by pushing the pedal down farther.
The one-size-fits-all average seems to be 80-85% load between 1500-2000 rpm makes for the most efficient use of the engine. However, that is only useful in acceleration because you can't cruise at 80% load (you'd speed up!).
I think what you're doing is good.
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