Gas tank size?

[Clink]

Also pay attention to the octane of the stations you are driving through, would hate to get in a spot where all you can find is 89 and you've been using 93....probably not a big deal but I wouldn't want to do it personally..

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[EXP Jawa]

Also pay attention to the octane of the stations you are driving through, would hate to get in a spot where all you can find is 89 and you've been using 93....probably not a big deal but I wouldn't want to do it personally..

Along those lines, be aware that gas in the mountain states comes in 85/87/89-91 octanes. I've read that this has to do with altitude compensation, but I don't understand the logic. But with that, 87 is mid-grade.

Thanks for pointing that out -- that's something I remember being struck by the first time I did an overnight NYC-Miami run, leaving at 3:00 p.m. and getting in at noon the next day. I just assumed that everything on the highway would be open 24 hours -- nope!

I tried doing an overnight run from San Francisco, heading back east on I-80 (a major highway) with the same assumption. I needed fuel in Wyoming at 4:00 am. Let me tell you, there is nothing out there. My friend and I wound up parking at the pumps of the one station we did find and waiting until 8:00 when they opened for business. What you're used to in NY (or in the northeast) in terms of conveniences does not apply west of the Mississippi. There are no Thruway-style rest stops.

Also of note, since I'm telling stories, is to stay on top of the basics regarding maintenance - even with a brand-new car. I'm sure you're plan an oil change stop in San Diego, but keep an eye on levels, air pressure (altitude and temp changes will impact) and lug nut torques. I had lugs loosen on my Mountaineer in NM (after 5000 miles of driving), letting the left rear wheel start to chuck. It broke 2 of the 5 studs. I was lucky to find a mechanic in Tucumcari, NM with nothing to do. A bit like Radiator Springs from the Cars movie. But it could've been worse...

 

[smitty]

Twice now I've made the drive from Cleveland to Seattle alone in two 18-20 hr. days... Around 1100-1200 miles per day. Left on a Thursday morning and was in Seattle Friday night. I can't see ever wanting to do that again Montana used to be a section to look forward to as the speed limit was posted as "reasonable for conditions," so during the day you could crank it up a bit. Now it's limited to 75 statewide I think (highway funding pressure probably). Even approaching 800 miles in a day is a pretty long day, so you're wise to mix in some shorter stints. Figure an average speed of around 50-55 mph until you get a little further west. You'll be passing through some beautiful country and if you're focused on getting where you're going, you'll miss a lot of it... Take it from me. Sounds like a great trip.

 

[DivineStrike]

I hope you plan on alternating your rpms a lot on this trip as a constant rpm isn't good for a new motor. It will take a lot of effort on your part to do that on a road trip

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I hope you plan on alternating your rpms a lot on this trip as a constant rpm isn't good for a new motor. It will take a lot of effort on your part to do that on a road trip

Two things -- first, like I said, I plan to put on 2000ish miles to break her in first. Second, varying RPMs is easy with paddle sfifters - run dixth gear for a mile, then fourth, then fifth, repeat.

 

[Shark77]

This calculator on Gasbuddy is pretty handy for planning fuel stops. It lets you adjust a bunch of variables and optimizes where you should fill up.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/Trip_Calculator.aspx

 

[planedoc]

In 2007 I did a 12 day 8000 mile road trip solo. It was a LOT of fun. You will have a blast! One of my funnest vacations ever!

 

[planedoc]

P S. I usually just go to Maui.....

 

[tsunami]

I concur with the other advisors. But try to fill up before 1/4 tank if you can. Get out and stretch and get a cup of coffee. A couple of friends of mine and I drove from Minnesota to San Diego. He was always driving until his tank got to 1/4 or less. I always fill at about 1/2 tank. We were in western New Mexico on our way back. I stopped in Gallup and refilled. My friend decided to wait until Albuquerque. Unfortunately, the rural gas stop that had been open on our way west had permanently closed during that week. My friend did not have enough gas to get anywhere either east or west. I had to drive back to Gallup, buy a 5 gallon can, and then drive back to where he sat.

 

[GNS]

Always have way more gas in the tank than you need for the next planned stop.

 

[DivineStrike]

Two things -- first, like I said, I plan to put on 2000ish miles to break her in first. Second, varying RPMs is easy with paddle sfifters - run dixth gear for a mile, then fourth, then fifth, repeat.

I know what you said, but it'll be a lot harder than ya think to stick with it doing a lot of highway driving. Now if you plan on taking a lot of back roads and stuff I would do that. Just trying to help you out as complacency is a bitch and it happens to everyone. It will also probably be better if you add in slowing down a lot and speeding back up. Changing gears just quickly changes your rpm to be constant at a new rpm vs changing the load and having the rpms go up and down with acceleration. I dunno, maybe it doesn't make much of a difference...but that's my thoughts on it.

Either way have fun on your trip I know i'll eventually be taking a lot of trips in mine. Plan on putting a 1000 miles on mine just around town here in about a week. Surprisingly easy to do actually as I did it with the ranger just last year.

 

[ranchero]

Jimmy - I do drives like this in the west all the time - most recently in my '12 Focus hatchback. I will be ordering an EB Mustang for these drives next year. I think about fuel mileage and tank capacity all the time.

So - some comments about driving in the west. Our speed limits are higher and you will want to think about that. Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona are mostly 75. Wyoming and Utah are now mostly 80. Your fuel mileage will be altered.

Places to avoid (or be very careful at) in my experience for re-fueling include Gallup, NM (I-40) and Las Vegas, NM (I-25). By far I prefer north or west side of Albuquerque. I avoid Holbrook, AZ and would prefer Flagstaff.

Crossing Colorado in I-70 is a pretty drive but you can get hung up in traffic on I-70 just west of Denver - sometimes for hours. Fuel is expensive in the Colorado mountains. It is easier to drive across Wyoming on I-80 - but less scenic. However with Wyoming make sure you have your next fuel stop planned. I use Evanston or Rock Springs on the west and Laramie or Cheyenne on the east.

Getting fuel in Las Vegas, NV - not always easy to find something easy and convenient just off the I-15.

In Utah going north from Vegas to east to Wyoming you can and should avoid Salt Lake City and take an eastern bypass through Provo, Heber, Park City and up into the mountains to I-80.

Have fun; driving in the west is different buy worthwhile. I'll be driving in Montana, Utah and Wyoming next month.

- ranchero -

 

[valentinoamoro]

Driving is my favorite passtime. So relaxing and tranquil. I've never done more than a one-day road trip before, but I've done some LONG one-day trips. Most every summer for vacation I drive to Miami and then back (21 hours each way) in a single shot; I used to do NYC - Detroit - NYC in one day pretty regularly when my sister lived in Detroit for a while. My job involves, essentially, thinking constantly, really hard, for 14 hours at a time; there's nothing I like more than to just shut my brain off, get on the highway, and cruise.

The tentative itinerary I have (leaving NYC around 1-2 on Friday afternoon) is this (leaving some time in San Diego and Denver for dinner / drinks with friends there):

Friday night: Columbus, OH (533 miles)
Saturday night: Vinita, OK (749 miles)
Sunday night: Albuquerque, NM (709 miles)
Monday night: Barstow, CA (676 miles)
Tuesday night: San Diego, CA (176 miles)
Wednesday night: Green River, UT (735 miles)
Thursday night: Denver, CO (343 miles)
Friday night: Columbia, MO (726 miles)
Saturday night: Pittsburgh, PA (718 miles)
Sunday night: Brooklyn, NY (376 miles)

Total: 5741 miles

Add Seattle to the plan and we can get beers. Lol. Longest drive I've done is Monaco to Paris and Austin-New Orleans, NO-Dallas. Def recommend looking up good restaurant's along the way (I'm a foodie and dread those fast food joints), keeping at quarter tank at least and depending on your research more in desolate areas and mainly, enjoying the scenery and drive rather than focusing on the destination or miles per day, or what was the point? Oh, I don't do late night drives through remote places with wife as its not safe if issues occur. The lack of a full size spare or even a donut (in the PP) is also a bummer - to be fair even my SUV has a donut - the shift is to lower weight. Good you are taking a full size, I would not do a night x country drive w/o that or you'will have to find a motel and have your beast flat bedded.

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