Post your commute MPG with elevation change.

[sheepdog 44]

Since our work commutes take up 90% of our tank averages, I thought it'd be a good idea match the mileage we get to the elevation its driven over. I have now identified a "better" route that gets me several mpg more over the normal route. An even better ecomod than changing the nut behind the wheel, Change the road underneath the wheels!

It can give us a measuring stick to compare our hypermiling to other drivers and also between similar cars.

This is what i have to work with on my commute:
Using Map Bike Rides with Elevation Profiles, Analyze Cycling Performance, Train Better. Ride With GPS free easy to use .

Start Elevation Home 1080 ft
End Elevation Work 701 ft
Minimum Elevation 697 ft
Maximum Elevation 1345 ft
Average Elevation 1023 ft

55mph max speed. average speed guestimate 43mph.
67.5 mpg tank average

To WORK: 74-79mpg
Elevation: + 1001 / - 1390 ft to work
Max Grade 5.8 %
Avg. Grade -0.7 %

To HOME: 65-72.5mpg
Elevation: +1390ft / -1001ft to Home
Max Grade 7.2%
Avg. Grade +0.7%


Been trying a new route to work thats a lot slower with the long strecthes of just negative grades working in my favor. I've been able to dramatically boost my tank averages 3mpg over 10% of the tank. I have to clear a FCD trip, but i may be getting up to a 85mpg high on the way to work. 2/5 of the route is now 40mph and below winding backcountry roads.

For comparison Old route vs New: I deleted the MASSIVE mountain hill at the 18 mile mark. Going to work over the hill is pretty good, but climbing going home is Killer. Nevertheless there are overall improvements in both directions.

OLD ROUTE to WORK: 74-79mpg
Distance: 20.5 mi
Elevation: + 1001 / - 1390 ft to work
Max Grade 5.8 %
Avg. Grade -0.7 %

NEW ROUTE to Work estimated consistent 77.5-80mpg++
Distance: 24.7 mi
Elevation: + 1092 / - 1480 ft
Max Grade 6.0 %
Avg. Grade -0.5 %

[Diesel_Dave]

My commute is much less interesting. 95 feet total change in 24 miles. Most all that is spread out evenly (downhill to work). I've always done much better going to work than coming home. While I suspect the elevation change doesn't help, I suspect driving differences have more to do with it than anything else. I've been improving things recently by being more aware of that.

[sheepdog 44]

Use (Map Bike Rides with Elevation Profiles, Analyze Cycling Performance, Train Better. Ride With GPS)

You have to create an account but it's free. It works like google maps, but' it'll give you elevation and most importantly overlay the grade on top of the that. Once you map your route, save it, then go to share on the right hand side of the map and it'll give you a link to your elevation image.

[Diesel_Dave]

Ok, I gotcha. Sorry, I thought it was free, but you had to use a gps. Great site!

Here's my route (to work, left to right).


Distance: 25.1 mi
Selected distance: 25.1 mi
Elevation: + 264 / - 402 ft
Max Grade 1.4 %
Avg. Grade -0.2 %

[MGB=MPG]

very nice site, this will be handy if the doctor gives me a go-ahead on my cycling this fall

since i do not commute anymore here are 3 of my runs,
one is around the block, 17 miles ,another my test loop of 25 miles and the last my *Grocery store run* of 60 miles . i hope to bicycle the first 2 but always in the machine for groceries.
first 2 are loops , last is out and back

around the block 17 miles 1300 ' elevation gain and loss. max grade 8.3%


test run. 25 miles 2080 elevation loss and gain max grade 5.8

60 mile run 3900 elevation gain and loss 5.8%


i did not include some of my walk/cycle routes but they have 11% grades, cycling up an 11% will teach you about the value of downgearing on the grade vs lugging an engine.

[D.O.G.]

This is my commute, from home to work, left to right (this is such a great toy!).

I don't have a fuel economy readout (OBD1), but I guess it's obvious that, although I don't use much fuel going to work I use double on the way home

An observation: It doesn't seem to show the actual road height when crossing bridges.
Look at the small dip just after 29.4 km. That's the Nepean River, not the tall bridge that crosses it.

I wonder if it's also reading wrong where the road goes through a cutting?

[Diesel_Dave]

Originally Posted by D.O.G.

An observation: It doesn't seem to show the actual road height when crossing bridges.
Look at the small dip just after 29.4 km. That's the Nepean River, not the tall bridge that crosses it.

Yesh, I noticed that too. That little downward spike around mile 9 on my communte is a bridge as well.

[Diesel_Dave]

Originally Posted by D.O.G.

I don't have a fuel economy readout (OBD1), but I guess it's obvious that, although I don't use much fuel going to work I use double on the way home

No kidding. You need to start doing engine off coasting--you won't even have to start your engine going to work

[hardline]

On my drive to work I see about 14 MPG, but about 75 on the way home, mostly due to the Overrun Fuelcut feature on Megasquirt. If the injectors aren't spraying, my wallet is happy.

Edit: Apparently since I am a lurker, I am being punished by not being allowed to post images...

[sheepdog 44]

The question is would you get better mileage if your commute was level? 44.5mpg round trip is pretty good. Sorta like pulse and gliding the terrain.