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You guys are awesome! LOL
Just thought I would work up a quick theoretical example so that someone can maybe attach some of their own numbers to the concepts of both fuel and time management to net a positive result in our investments in time and energy.
1000 mile theoretical trip
- assuming all interstate highway, no construction, no traffic, or reasons to slow down or stop other than fuel, rest, and food. (I know, what a fantasy right???? LOL)
Round numbers estimated driving time per trip at a given speed(again using simple flat numbers for speeds)
75 mph = 13.4 hours driving
65 mph = 15.4 hours driving
60 mph = 16.7 hours driving
Let's make some fantasy assumptions about fuel economy(of course plug your own numbers in for your own vehicle to get an idea)
40 mpg 60 mph
35 mpg 65 mph
25 mpg 75 mph
Fuel capacity:
15 gallon tank with 12 gallons usable before warning
Gallons MPG Tank range
12 x 25 = 300 per tank
12 x 35 = 420 per tank
12 x 40 = 480 per tank
Average/normal people tend to like to stop every couple of hours, stretch, go to the bathroom etc.
Average number of stops during this theoretical trip is 5 times.
Even if we assume people are quick and take just a short 15 minute break per rest break.
For fuel many times it can take a little while to get up to a pump, fill, pay, and get going so let’s say a total time of 20 minutes for fuel stops.
Average/normal people in a hurry will end up stopping more:
They will stop 5 times, 3 for fuel, 2 for rest breaks, and likely stop for food which we will say they go through a drive through fast for another 30 minutes of time. Total non-driving time is 2 hours.
13.4 hours + 2 hours = 15.4 hours
Someone taking their time and trying to stretch more fuel economy might slow down to 60mph, but still budget their time and not stop unless they have to. This means 2 fuel stops and one rest break. You will bring your lunch and drinks with you. Total non driving time will be 55 minutes.
16.7 hours driving + 55 minutes = round up to 17.7 hours
Someone willing to compromise and meet in the middle might pick up the speed to where the fuel economy starts to fall off fast for their vehicle. Let’s say it is 65mph in our theory car at 35mpg.
We still will budget our time, we will make 2 stops for fuel, 1 rest stop, and will bring lunch and drinks with us. So 55 minutes non-driving time.
15.4 hours + 55 minutes non-driving time = round up to 16.4 hours.
So on this trip we could pick up the pace, make one less fuel stop, still get an OK mpg figure, budget our time and only stop when we have to, and even save a few bucks by bringing out own food and drinks with us saving even more time. In the end you would take 1 hour longer than the 75mph trip.
So the choices are up to us. I like to figure out where my sweet spot is for my vehicle and keep it in that zone where I get the best return for the fuel burned, look for rides(drafting partner) so that I can go faster than my car’s natural sweet spot, get even better fuel economy than I can get by myself, and cut the trip time even shorter.
If you have plenty of time then back off, use hypermiling techniques to coast and stretch every gallon. If however you have a time budget as well then look for ways to budget that time more wisely. Pack that lunch and a cooler. Ration what you eat and drink so that you can reduce the number of stops. And look for ways to get free rides, possibly even go faster, and cut the budget across the board.
Of course a shorter trip changes the dynamics of the stops and time costs. Longer trips than our 1000 mile example would likely net even more savings for those of us who time budget as much as we fuel budget. In the end you really can get where your going a reasonable amount of time if you are frugal with your time and your fuel together.
Now I only wish it was this simple, but the math will work itself out if you take the time to think your trips out and just what you can do with some time and fuel management.
Longsnowsm
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