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First day of 670 miles completed. Here is our goal-- PA to San Jose and back, 7000 miles, four weeks, camping half the nights- mostly in national parks, family of four including two teenagers. And they say this isn't a family car! On the roof-- four sleeping bags, four pads, two tents and four pair of hiking boots-- 85 lb. Inside-- four passengers totaling 550 lb. Plus cooler, stove, four backpacks with personal stuff, etc. Total weight close to the recommended limit.

Our first day the weather was perfect-- 60°F, a bit overcast, no wind, at least not for the first third of the day. Around noon the sun came out and temperature went up to 90° by the end of the day, so we did have the AC on for the last two-thirds of the day (For the obvious reasons, I decided not to skimp on the AC this trip). There was a slight breeze from the east by the end of the day. We also decided to simply set the cruise at 60 mph. Many would not have the patience for this. It was our choice.

Being fully loaded, and especially with the roof rack, I knew our mileage would suffer. I was hoping for 50 and would have been very happy with that, and would have been disappointed for anything under 45. First hour ended at 50.0. Then into the "mountains" of central and western PA the average dropped to 47.7, only to steadily increase from there. We ended the 475 mile tank at 54.1 (53.2 actual). Can you say, "Happy camper!"? We are now at a motel in Terre Haute, IN, 200 miles into our second tank and averaging 55.5 on this tank. The next two nights will be with friends in Hesston, KS.

Yesterday's driving was ideal. I do expect our mpg to be dropping, especially when we hit the Rockies, and I think our friends in CO are hoping to do Pikes Peak with us ....

PA P

Evidence of how much "speed" is on the fuel consumption of a Prius over aerodynamics and weight!
Too bad friends next door can't follow along with you in a new Sieanna for comparison purposes.

Second update from our roadtrip-- currently at a campground near Divide, CO, elevation 9,600'.

2nd tank - 51.9 mpg
3rd tank - 49.0 mpg, slight headwind, light brief rain
4th tank - 46.2 mpg, headwind, KS to CO, +5,000' elevation

Currently at 45.2 mpg halfway through 5th tank. We've done mostly mountain driving around the Divide area, including about 15 miles on rough dirt roads at 9'000'+. I was expecting worse.

Something I've learned-- tire psi increases 1 psi for every 2,000' increase in elevation, which puts our Integritys at 48 psi here in Divide. This makes me think tire manufacturers must take this into consideration when setting their sidewall recomendations. I think I'll feel more at ease running them a bit over 44 psi when in SE PA and never going over 1,500'.

PA P

are you still doing 60mph for the trip thus far?

Yes, still 60 mph.

PA P

A family of four on a cross country drive, is anybody else thinking what I'm thinking?

I hope your children aren't named Rusty and Audrey.

Do you do that on the interstates where the limit is 70 or 75? That doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

Third update from our trip, currently writing from a hotel in western AZ. Hiked down and up the Grand Canyon yesterday and today. Incredible.

5th tank finished at 50.5 mpg
6th tank 48.5 mpg
7th tank currently at 49.8 mpg after 330 miles.

A few of the passes in CO pushed our loaded (weight, not options) Prius to its limits. If you expect to cruise over such passes at 60 mph, you will be disappointed. I was satisfied with cresting some of these at 35 mph. Why choose 200 hp for the 1% of the time you could use it? I'd rather focus on the 99%. Patience is a virtue. I tried to keep the rpm's below 4,000 on these climbs. On two of them the temperature went up to 205°F, which I felt was okay, until I remembered that water boils at around 180° at that elevation. I'm not remembering how much antifreeze raises the boiling temperature. At the continental divide, Wolf Creek Pass, 10,850' on Rte. 160, we met another Prius road tripper-- a woman travelling alone for three months. Hers was packed inside, but unlike ours, her roof was empty. Despite pushing the limits, my oil level appears to be exactly the same as when I changed it almost 3,000 miles ago.

To answer your questions--

RealAle, no our children's names are not Rusty and Audrey. So far they are loving it.

Redwein, yes, we are doing 60 mph on the interstates, even when the posted limits are 70 and 75. It does not seem to be a problem. In most states with this speed limit there is less traffic anyway. Neither have I noticed any frustrated drivers passing us. Btw, during many of my years in Germany I stuck to 100 kmh, with some passing me at twice that speed, so 15 or 20 mph difference does not seem so drastic.

Next stop Yosemite NP.

Treading lightly,
PA P

how are you reading RPM and temp. on your non-option loaded Prius? Did you add your own sensors somewhere? or are there display options that i just have not found yet?

I believe he uses a ScanGauge...

"Don't leave home without one."

Following four nights camping in Yosemite National Park we are back in a motel-- Stockton, CA. I just filled up our 9th tank on this trip. From here we are on to San Francisco, then San Jose for a church conference for the week. So we won't be putting on many miles this coming week, but the following week will be west coast to east coast. I'll keep posting as I am able for the few of you who may be intersted.

7th tank finished out at 51.4 mpg.
8th tank 46.7 mpg, entered Sierra Nevadas
9th tank 49.0 mpg, running around Yosemite

The above numbers I've been reporting are from the MFD. They are running about 2 mpg over the actual. I think we are about half way through our trip-- 3,680 miles. We've used 75.211 gallons of gas, so our actual is 48.9 mpg. I am hoping the easterly winds may allow us to reach a final average of 50 mpg, maybe even the old EPA highway mileage of 51 mpg. But I'll still be happy if it remains in the high 40's.

Yes WayneBruce, Firepa63 is right, I'm using the ScanGuage II.

PA P

Are you using a tent? what are you using?

Yes, two tents. I list most of our gear in my first post.

PA P

If you're going to be in San Francisco and then in San Jose, try to make it over to Monterey before you head back home. It's only about an hour or so away, and if you're that close you shouldn't miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Also, Pebble Beach Golf Course is there; and you get to see part of it on the 17-mile scenic drive (or whatever they call it). There's a small entrance fee, but it's worth it.

Cannery Row is fun, too, with lots of shopping; but it's pretty touristy. However, window shopping is free; and there are lots of fun food shops, like Cinnabun, ice cream, etc. Great seafood, too.

You are a few weeks early for the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which is near the end of July; but that whole area has great markets and fruit stands. Artichokes, cherries and garlic are featured in almost every restaurant and fast food joint; and you've got to try deep fried baby artichokes and garlic ice cream.

If you have time, in San Francisco drive towards the Golden Gate Bridge, then turn off in the parking lot right before you get to the toll booths. That road goes into Presidio Park, where there are some historic sites to see, including Fort Point and Crissy Field, both of which have appeared in several movies. Also, a lot of people like to walk across the Golden Gate, or at least part way out. Sometimes the fog is so thick you can't see the tops of the towers when you are standing at the base -- great photo ops of the city, too. By the way, there's a gift shop and visitors center in the bridge parking lot.

Then, drive through the parking lot and under the bridge on the little two-lane road, and this turns into Highway 1 and goes right down the coast to Big Sur, Santa Barbara, LA and San Diego, if you stay on it. There is a scenic drive through some beautiful homes in the San Francisco area. Then farther south, there are lots of places to pull off and picnic on the beach. Then, it goes right through Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay.

We love that whole area, especially since it is 112 degrees right now in Phoenix and it's probably about 75, there!

Hope you have a great COOL time!