[COcyclist]

Today did a shorter drive of only 232 miles to spend a night with my wife’s family east of Cheyenne WY. This leg included most of the 2 lane roads for the rest of the trip. Speed limits were adhered to through towns. On the open roads I generally stuck to my goal of 5 over although at times it was 10 over. I generally get good mpg traveling this direction due to a few unique factors.

1. Elevation- After the first 50 miles much of the trip is at over 8,000’ above sea level. With a slight downhill grade I will show 130 mpg or higher at 75 mph. The thin air really helps mpg.

2. Favorable winds- On I-80 the wind was 26 mph out of the west/northwest, a strong tailwind.

3. Mostly downhill from the continental divide east of Laramie to Cheyenne. It is generally rolling but in 40 miles goes from 8,500’ to 6,300’.

Cd, you would have to drive this section under the same conditions that I did to get the crazy high numbers I was getting on I-80 at 85 (at times 80 mpg). Do not expect to get the same mileage at sea level, on the flat, on a windless day. I was still at 53 mpg for the trip when I got to Cheyenne. You climb again leaving Cheyenne and on the inclines I saw instant mpg drop into the 20s at times at 80 mph.

Stats for the day- 232 miles in 3.6 hours @ 63 mph average speed.
49.2 mpg for the day. 4.7 gallons of diesel. (From the ScanGuage)