Which of these two routes is more fuel efficitient?

Question

Every day to work i have the option of taking 2 different routes to work. The first route is a 36 mile journey with about 18 miles of highway and 18 miles of inside roads that have about 5-10 miles of stop and go traffic. The second route is about 49 miles of highway with minimal traffic. The 49 mile journey takes 10 mins less, so it is more time efficient, but is it more fuel-efficient due to traffic on the shorter journey? I drive a 2004 toyota camry, and get about 26-28 miles to the gallon.

Answer 1

The more highway miles you have, the better gas mileage your  car recieves. Also, since it takes less time, then obvioulsy your car isn't using gas for 10 min. You actually get way better gas mileage on highway than you do in the city. Stop light to stop light traffic is worst for gas mileage.

Answer 2

If you want to accurately measure you MPG, do these steps:

(1) fill you tank to the max

(2) reset the odometer (tripometer)

(3) drive on the HWY (or your route)

(4) drive using cruise control - to eliminate bad habit (if you can)

(6) now get gas again - fill it the MAX

(7) note the gallon just filled AND mile drive.

(8) calculate MPG = miles / gallon

You cannot use your GAS gauge to know if you finished using the gas. Also if you don't use the cruise you are putting in your driving habit, traffic, etc. on different days as variable. So you should do this at evening or night hours.

You can also use this technique whenever you think your car is gets better or worst MPG. It only cost you about 1 gallon of gas ($4) and that is cheaper than paying a mechanic to find ghosts (problems that doesn't exists).

Good Luck...