Commute Route - Suggestions

[Nerys]

I found the most efficient route to work. its a long nearly 54mile commute.

http://tinyurl.com/5qz2gd

Thats the point to point route I take. The other route I used to use is

http://tinyurl.com/3w8g4h

While the second uses more major roads it has MANY more lights and more stops and turns. My new route is just a single left turn after getting across the bridge. The new route dropped my fuel usage by nearly 8% and is actually faster (fewer lights and the few I DO see I can usually get through without stopping)

I also have this route available to me as an option

http://tinyurl.com/4s9qnm

But it has some problems. its 18 miles longer for starters BUT it would eliminate MANY stops. I could cruise at 60mph for almost the entire trip. While higher speed means more fuel less stops would compensate somewhat. BUT this route has a problem. While there is no tolls going out I would be going out at 4pm meaning I would be screwed on I-95 (rush hour) even if the traffic is relatively light its gonna eat the fuel.

Now on the way home it would be ZERO traffic but now I would have $5 in tolls ($2 to get on the Expressway and $3 to go across the bridge) that would destroy any fuel savings and then some :-( so I think I am better off with the route I have now.

Suggestions?

[Harpo]

Ecomodding to me means using the minimal amount of fuel required to accomplish the mission. I spent $10K to get a vehicle that using "less fuel" for the weekly missions, thus reducing my monthy fuel costs by ~$250. Insurance costs me $25-30/mnth. I figure $200-$250/yr maintenance.

The secondary goal for me is saving dollars, of which I accomplish by having more fuel efficient vehicle. Fuel savings go back into stable yield investments.

4 year ownership, saving $225/mnth at $3.70/gal (now) results in a overall costs exactly the same as pumping gas into my HEMI RAM for 4 years, and does it on 35% the fuel. And, I still have the vehicle at the end of the 4 years worth something. Spent gas has no value.

48 x $225 = $10,800

As gas goes up, I'm making money. If cost are the same, take the route that uses less fuel overall.

[SVOboy]

Welcome to the site! It's hard to say just looking at the routes, so you might wanna wait until you get your hands on some feedback (I saw your other post).

Best fuel economy to you!

[ebacherville]

I'm in a fairly rural area, On any way I need to commute, its all 55mph roads, but one has lots of slow and turn or stop points so I choose the one with the most long stretches of drives between stops and turns etc.. to get to work, 30 miles, I back out of the driveway and drive to work, i have 1 stop sign and two slow and turns, till I shut the car off.. on the way home I can get home with no stops, all slow and turn, so It's the best route for me.

Stuff to consider for your drive.

[Figjam74]

How about using 73 to get to 130?
(speaking as someone with no first hand knowledge)

[Nerys]

Hmmm I can not find 73 on the map. Can you point it out? If you goto that link (the first one) google maps lets you "grab" the blue line and put it where you want it to adjust the root. they just click the make a link to this map option. (wish my gps let me do that its always telling me to go some wonky way :-)

[i_am_socket]

206 is definitely better than 95+AC Expressway. I'd say move closer to work or work closer to home, but we all know those are dreams (I'm working on that one). Your car insurance has to better on that side of the Delaware I'm sure

[Nerys]

My car insurance would quadruple if I had it in NJ !!! We sort of OWN the house so we can not simply move without buying a new house. (and the TAX increase on property to live in NJ would instantly erase ANY and I do mean ANY gasoline savings)

Its a limited license business so we can NOT move the business and that would kill the business anyway since we depend on that flow into and out of Atlantic City for a lot of our business.

Working closer to home is possible but then the whole family suffers. Since its a family business I take only the pay I need not the pay my job entails. If they had to hire someone to replace me it would cost an awful lot. Once again More than the savings in gasoline sadly.

[Figjam74]

As requested, Route73.

If 130's crap though, you could also hit the turnpike (295) for a stretch too...

With the turnpike.

[Nerys]

thanks for the links Figjam74! The difference is so small in the map you sent me that the added stop and left turn would eat up any savings from the half mile shorter distance.

The other one does not have new data (you need to click the "Link to this page" option each time so the url will include the changes you make) (upper right corner just above the map)

Either way 130 is not a good road LOTS of lights :-) if I took the TP across I would spend considerable time on 130 and the added cost of the tolls.

I will gladly try all of them though and do the math.