Last Thursday I wrote:
I'm packing up my big honkin' SUV tomorrow with my oversized family of 5 and driving 280 miles (one-way) to Lake Cumberland, Kentucky to visit with friends from Atlanta--who will be driving their oversized family of 5, 330 miles (one-way) in their big honkin' SUV. Based on the paltry gas mileage we will get--about 18 mpg--I'm figuring our family will consume about 31 gallons of gas.
Turns out, Big Honkin' SUV got 19.8 mpg for the trip and that includes the local travel at Lake Cumberland. Highway, we were averaging about 21 mpg. A couple of thoughts:
- We averaged 21 mpg traveling at 74 mph (9 miles over the posted speed) in a big 4wd SUV fully loaded with 5 people and 4 days worth of luggage, recreation equipment, beer, wine and bourbon--we were going to Kentucky afterall. I was impressed.
- No real traffic problems. Not sure if that was evidence of lighter than expected traffic, slower driving or a combination. It did seem that people were drving a little slower than past years, but that could be just perception.
- In Thursday's post I calculated I was spending $6/hour to keep my kids separated in the car. That was based on 18 mpg. At 21 mpg my peace of mind only cost me $4.20/hour.
- The water levels in Lake Cumberland looked really low this year. This story explains why. Too bad we didn't think to check on this before we made our reservations. Luckily we weren't there for the lake...just a convenient place to meet between Atlanta and Columbus.
