[PaleMelanesian]

I agree that lower total fuel consumption is the end goal.

I keep detailed records of my drives with the route, distance, mpg and calculated fuel consumed. I know that my chosen route, while being slightly longer, uses less fuel than the shorter route. It also gives me a double-bonus for mpg - higher miles for lower gallons. That's nice, but lower gallons is the real benefit to my wallet, the environment, the political world, etc.