[carolyn2]

Had to go to a mall yesterday. Google maps gave two different possible routes--one was mostly via major highways, total 19 miles distance, takes ~30 minutes estimated driving time. The other was across towns, smaller roads, total 11.5 miles distance, takes ~30 minutes driving time.

Which route would use the least fuel if driving "normally" (since I didn't see all your hyper mile hints until today)? If driven hypermiling style? Does it matter what car/mpg etc one is driving? We're driving a manual transmission Toyota Matrix, mid-powered version (sorry forget which model that is).

I've tried to do a little research to figure this out but really couldn't get very far--are all cars really so much less efficient at lower speeds? How much gas is burned at idle?

If this is a common question, just point me to the previous thread, and thanks so much for your help!