Route Change
 

With the recent jacking-up of the tolls for the roads I used to take to work, I've decided to change my route to avoid the toll roads.

On the plus side:
- Less distance traveled
- No tolls (>$40/month savings)

On the neg side:
- Lower average MPG
- Longer (time) commute

Per month (assuming no weekend driving) I'm still using just over a gallon of gas less with the new route, along with the toll savings; but I miss my higher MPGs...

*sigh* you win some, you lose some ;)

MPG is just a number. Less distance traveled and less gas used, even with a lower MPG, is more $ in your pocket.

Yeah, I was thinking about that the other day, it's the "g" (gallons) not mpg that really matters. I agree, it is nice to see higher numbers, but not at the pumps.

Very true. Now, if I could just improve my MPG score while at the same time keeping the shorter route... Actually, I could... The local roads I'm taking to the highway suck, but I get to wave to my fiance since we drive a similar route; but:

Current local route:
3.28 miles to highway
8 lights + long wait at light #6 (sometimes 1 light, sometimes 5)

Altered local route:
1.59 miles to highway
2 lights + much shorter wait to get on the highway (stop sign)

Shaving off almost 2 miles of local roads adds .08 miles to get to the same point, but 1.5 miles at 30+ mpg > 1.5 miles at ~16 mpg. I think I'm altering my route a little bit further...