Automobiles

How Much Gasoline We Used On Our Vacation

With all of the talk about high gasoline prices, I thought that it might be interesting to track how much gasoline we used while on vacation.

Distance

Estimate (according to Google Maps): 287 miles

Actual distance going to the Condo: 283.9 miles

Actual distance returning from the Condo: 277.10 miles

On the way, we traveled mostly on Interstates. On the way back, we used a couple of side-road, so there is a slight difference in actual mileages.

Speed

Estimated travel speeds (prior to trip): 60-80 mph

Actual average speed going to the Condo: 69.9 mph

Actual average returning from the Condo: 68.4 mph

Travel Time

Estimated travel time (prior to trip): 287 miles / 70 mph = 4 hours and 6 minutes

Actual travel time going to the Condo: 283.3 miles / 69.9 mph = 4 hours 4 minutes

Actual travel time returning from the Condo: 277.10 / 68.4 mph = 4 hours and 4 minutes

Amazingly, according to our GPS, it took EXACTLY the same amount of time to travel to and from the condo. The trip home was actually 15 minutes longer, due to the fact that we stopped to eat supper. The times above represent ‘actual time driving in the car’.

Gasoline Usage

Estimated gallons of gas to be used (prior to trip) = 287 miles / 21 mpg = 13.66 gallons

Estimated cost of a gallon of gasoline (prior to trip) = $3.80

Estimated gasoline cost to go to the Condo (prior to trip) = 13.66 gallons = $51.91

Actual gallons of gasoline used to travel to the Condo: 283.3 miles / 21.9 mpg = 12.94 gallons

Actual cost of a gallon of gasoline used to travel to the Condo: $3.80

Actual gasoline cost to go to the Condo: 12.94 gallons = $49.17

Actual gallons of gasoline used to return to the Condo: 277.10 miles / 21.4 mpg = 12.95 gallons

Actual cost of a gallon of gasoline used to return from the Condo: $3.89

Actual gasoline cost to return from to the Condo: 12.95 gallons = $50.38

Totals

Our trip, to the Condo and back, covered 560.40 miles and our van used $99.55 worth of gasoline. Surprisingly, we actual had better gas mileage on our way to the Condo, even though our average speed was slightly higher. I’d would attribute this to the fact that on the way back, we had more items in our van. Plus, we faced a lot more stop-and-go traffic.

All-in-all, $100 isn’t a lot to spend, if the trip is worth it. And, I couldn’t have been more happy with our condominium or our trip as a whole. The kids had a blast and the weather was amazing.

As a side note: We used a minimal amount of gasoline while at the condominium, but I didn’t want to spend my whole week, tracking gasoline usage. I’m a nerd, but not THAT much of a nerd! Also, gasoline in Florida, at least along the roads we traveled, seemed a bit higher than gasoline in Georgia. Of course, this could be due to the fact that we were in a more ‘touristy’ area.

3 thoughts on “How Much Gasoline We Used On Our Vacation

  1. You are correct. Gasoline in Georgia is less expensive than Florida. Friends in Florida ALWAYS make the last stop before the Florida line to fill up.

  2. I suspect that your mileage dip was due to take some “side roads” on the way back. Out of curiosity, do you use cruise control? I do, but my wife doesn’t and when we’re on long trips the mileage difference is surprising — stretches where I drive are always several mpg higher.

  3. I thought there was a website that can tell you, on average, how much you will use to fill it up if you decide to take a road trip?

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