Not Logged In Log In   Sign Up   Points Leaders
Follow Us    1:59 PM

GasBuddy News Article

66
votes
How much is fast driving costing you?

GasBuddy Blog -- How much does your gas mileage decline -- and how much does your gas cost rise? -- if you drive at 60 mph rather than 50? How about 70 or 80 mph?

Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press asks that question. He says that until last week, nobody had quantified the effect real-world speeds have on fuel economy, despite the fact that most people hit those speeds on the highway every day. New research by the DOE --which works with the EPA to generate window-sticker mileage figures -- should help create models to help drivers figure out the effect higher speeds have on their specific vehicle.

And he's got some answers too. He says you should expect a 41% decrease in fuel economy if you're a leadfoot driver who like drivign at...


Read the Full Article

Submitted Feb 04, 2013 By: PD
Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics Add to favorite topics   Post new topicPost New Topic
Author Topic: How much is fast driving costing you? Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
Profile Pic
Punai
Rookie Author Lansing

Posts:16
Points:4,075
Joined:May 2013
Message Posted: May 14, 2013 1:00:46 AM

This is actually interesting to read as it's something I've wondered about. I try to keep track of my mileage when I'm on the highway and have noticed that if I'm driving slower that I do get better gas mileage. However, I also notice that if I'm going east or west that can also make a difference in my gas mileage.
Profile Pic
gasmeup52
Champion Author Missouri

Posts:1,315
Points:680,755
Joined:Jan 2011
Message Posted: May 13, 2013 11:33:47 AM

If you drive the speed limit you get ran over.
Profile Pic
mark03063
Rookie Author New Hampshire

Posts:70
Points:103,205
Joined:Dec 2011
Message Posted: May 11, 2013 12:33:38 PM

I'd like to see how settings (ecomony, comfort, sport) in my car differ at each speed.
Profile Pic
krazkar
Veteran Author Calgary

Posts:273
Points:273,385
Joined:May 2012
Message Posted: May 11, 2013 12:11:11 PM

Don't care. I drive what is comfortable most of the time. The fear of tickets keeps me paying more attention to my speedometer than the road.
Profile Pic
99dakota
Champion Author Providence

Posts:8,102
Points:2,171,050
Joined:Oct 2006
Message Posted: May 11, 2013 10:41:35 AM

A lot of choices we make cost us money. The point to keep in mind is that we make the choice by ourself.
Profile Pic
paulweb
All-Star Author Ohio

Posts:806
Points:353,270
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: May 10, 2013 11:05:37 AM

Does not apply...don't drive fast unless I really have to.
Profile Pic
BDNNOD
Sophomore Author Seattle

Posts:119
Points:44,740
Joined:Mar 2013
Message Posted: May 10, 2013 2:54:06 AM

Donatelo ... YOU GOT IT RIGHT AGAIN ... YOU STEP ON THE PEDDLE AND THEM FUEL HOGS JUST OPEN WIDER AND SUCK MORE JET-FUEL DOWN THEIR THROATS
Profile Pic
Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

Posts:1,118
Points:291,825
Joined:Apr 2011
Message Posted: May 9, 2013 10:49:57 AM

of course if you go faster you will use more fuel.
Profile Pic
twinfanMN
Champion Author Minnesota

Posts:1,619
Points:454,250
Joined:Jun 2011
Message Posted: May 9, 2013 9:32:53 AM

Interesting article. I don't know studies how accurate their study is but I am going to try slowing down 10 MPH on the way to work and calculate it myself.
Profile Pic
heydano67
Champion Author California

Posts:1,656
Points:356,385
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: May 9, 2013 12:51:20 AM

depends on if the time saved is worth the drop in milage
Profile Pic
WEB0153
All-Star Author Maryland

Posts:789
Points:154,075
Joined:Dec 2012
Message Posted: May 8, 2013 2:19:06 PM

Very little
Profile Pic
txrojo2005
All-Star Author Austin

Posts:763
Points:477,920
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: May 6, 2013 9:49:27 AM

That is because the air resistance increases as you drive faster.
Profile Pic
99dakota
Champion Author Providence

Posts:8,102
Points:2,171,050
Joined:Oct 2006
Message Posted: May 6, 2013 6:55:19 AM

If you have the money it's your choice... Money vs time.
Profile Pic
sks1586
All-Star Author New Jersey

Posts:567
Points:46,125
Joined:Mar 2013
Message Posted: May 4, 2013 8:22:53 AM

Thanks a million for the information.
Profile Pic
kecklered
Rookie Author Nova Scotia

Posts:2
Points:395
Joined:May 2013
Message Posted: May 3, 2013 10:34:07 PM

fast driving is costing me more , but if I stay with in the eco green gauge on my dash board it tells me when I am in the green which is good so I don't use more gas per speed kms.
Profile Pic
BBF_PFS
Sophomore Author Washington

Posts:189
Points:84,120
Joined:Jan 2013
Message Posted: May 3, 2013 12:23:15 PM

With my Saturn I get better mileage at 70 than at 60. With my F450 quite a bit less 14 mph at 60 and 11.7 at 70 mph
Profile Pic
MiataPrincess
All-Star Author Des Moines

Posts:603
Points:97,800
Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 9:17:18 AM

old news
Profile Pic
smugutu1234
Sophomore Author Tallahassee

Posts:206
Points:69,590
Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 8:17:20 AM

Does not seem to matter.....same gas usage for me.
Profile Pic
priver
Veteran Author Alberta

Posts:403
Points:33,435
Joined:Apr 2013
Message Posted: Apr 7, 2013 11:50:51 PM

huge savings on fuel, but at a cost of a windsheild as eveyone passing sprays rocks..grr
Profile Pic
Vette1967
Champion Author Albany

Posts:5,957
Points:1,274,050
Joined:Jun 2009
Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 1:05:58 AM

Just drive 3 mph below the speed limit.
Profile Pic
Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

Posts:1,118
Points:291,825
Joined:Apr 2011
Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 10:25:53 AM

and ohio just approved raising speed limit on long highway. do we want more fuel consumption.
Profile Pic
Tommyguns45
Sophomore Author Illinois

Posts:212
Points:131,205
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 9:08:10 AM

I dont drive over 65 even if its posted 70-80 as in some States. Why the big hurry and waste of gas. Pres. Carter didnt do too many things right such as giving away the Panama Canal, but he was right at saving gas when he lowered the speed limit to 55 for Interstates. I got where I was going on time.
Profile Pic
WanderDan
All-Star Author Dayton

Posts:585
Points:141,960
Joined:Nov 2012
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 9:31:06 PM

fast aint that bad - short time driving = savings
Profile Pic
pawnkingfour
All-Star Author Georgia

Posts:551
Points:139,440
Joined:Dec 2011
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 9:00:19 PM

A lot!
Profile Pic
unicornIL
Veteran Author Chicago

Posts:446
Points:383,445
Joined:Jan 2012
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 8:59:52 PM

more time/less money or less time/more money?? How valuable is your time?
Profile Pic
rickfro
All-Star Author San Diego

Posts:685
Points:328,595
Joined:Nov 2008
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 5:48:16 PM

This is old news.
Profile Pic
SmartShopper520
Veteran Author Ontario

Posts:493
Points:71,295
Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 8:54:19 AM

Petro costs more the higher speed you go? Here's a tip: if you can do this,
leave earlier and enjoy the drive to your destination.
Profile Pic
pawnkingfour
All-Star Author Georgia

Posts:551
Points:139,440
Joined:Dec 2011
Message Posted: Mar 28, 2013 9:54:07 PM

It costs a lot.
Profile Pic
WanderDan
All-Star Author Dayton

Posts:585
Points:141,960
Joined:Nov 2012
Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 8:19:45 PM

i like to go fast
Profile Pic
metalhat73
Veteran Author Wilmington

Posts:357
Points:238,580
Joined:May 2012
Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 7:58:47 AM

If your late to work and get fired then speeding is cheaper. :p
Profile Pic
99dakota
Champion Author Providence

Posts:8,102
Points:2,171,050
Joined:Oct 2006
Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 5:25:24 AM

If you drive at 50 mph rather than 60 you save. If you drive at 40 rather than 50 you save. If you drive at 30 rather than 40 you save... Where does the madness end...
Profile Pic
WanderDan
All-Star Author Dayton

Posts:585
Points:141,960
Joined:Nov 2012
Message Posted: Mar 25, 2013 1:04:21 AM

slow it down if you are concerned
Profile Pic
mabrams184
Champion Author Lexington

Posts:2,095
Points:531,335
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 6:05:06 PM

Save some money, lose some time.
Profile Pic
WanderDan
All-Star Author Dayton

Posts:585
Points:141,960
Joined:Nov 2012
Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 12:37:22 PM

so slow down.... or pay more in gas... if you got there quicker did you use less gas????? lol
Profile Pic
theocean
Rookie Author New York

Posts:43
Points:180,565
Joined:Jan 2006
Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:51:16 PM

just drive @ 55 ..........
Profile Pic
pawnkingfour
All-Star Author Georgia

Posts:551
Points:139,440
Joined:Dec 2011
Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:34:58 PM

Driving over 50mph sure costs a lot. That is why I always leave earlier heading to my intended destination, and drive just the posted speed limit.
Profile Pic
jaxtrax
Champion Author Toronto

Posts:2,402
Points:685,335
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 11:30:51 AM

I don't dispute these figures, but it seems they were taken on a dynamometer... with car standing still while the driving wheels rolled. So they won't show the effect of air drag.

My guess is some vehicles that aren't so aerodynamic (perhaps a large van or a pickup) would likely show even greater fuel burning at higher speeds to fight the air drag...
The cost of speed MAY BE EVEN MORE than these figures show!

[Edited by: jaxtrax at 3/21/2013 11:31:40 AM EST]
Profile Pic
MiataPrincess
All-Star Author Des Moines

Posts:603
Points:97,800
Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 10:42:06 AM

Most people will ignore this
Profile Pic
Gas4Gore
Champion Author Detroit

Posts:2,406
Points:420,950
Joined:Jan 2010
Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 11:36:30 PM

Let's all drive more economically.
Profile Pic
mabrams184
Champion Author Lexington

Posts:2,095
Points:531,335
Joined:Aug 2011
Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 4:30:31 PM

Just don't do it.
Profile Pic
MiataPrincess
All-Star Author Des Moines

Posts:603
Points:97,800
Joined:Feb 2013
Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:55:33 AM

people don't care
Profile Pic
WanderDan
All-Star Author Dayton

Posts:585
Points:141,960
Joined:Nov 2012
Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 12:03:09 AM

drill
Profile Pic
Wanda127
Champion Author Florida

Posts:2,487
Points:913,015
Joined:May 2010
Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 11:23:07 PM

I think anything over 60mph uses more fuel but sometimes getting to a place quickly is more important.
Profile Pic
gasokie
Champion Author Oklahoma

Posts:3,442
Points:1,323,805
Joined:May 2007
Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 7:50:19 PM

Getting there as fast as I can without getting a ticket is my top priority.
Sorry.
Profile Pic
Donatelo
Champion Author Dayton

Posts:1,118
Points:291,825
Joined:Apr 2011
Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 4:01:00 PM

with the people we have driving these days. i think we should lower speed limits to save gas and lives.
Profile Pic
Methodist
All-Star Author Indiana

Posts:584
Points:151,315
Joined:Mar 2008
Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 2:11:44 PM

depends on gearing also
Profile Pic
paulweb
All-Star Author Ohio

Posts:806
Points:353,270
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 11:02:49 AM

Re-re-recycled.
Profile Pic
vulcan96
Champion Author Ohio

Posts:26,890
Points:3,101,725
Joined:Aug 2004
Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 4:28:29 AM

my leadfoot retired, but now my wife wastes gas with remote start.
Profile Pic
paulweb
All-Star Author Ohio

Posts:806
Points:353,270
Joined:May 2011
Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 11:45:16 AM

Nice to see you are recycling, PD.
Profile Pic
Tommyguns45
Sophomore Author Illinois

Posts:212
Points:131,205
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 9:42:13 AM

The only good thing President Carter did was lowering the speed limit to 55 to save gas and lives. Now its 70-80 in some States when the States are cutting back on the State Troopers. Its a fact one State Trooper here in Eastern Illinois has to cover 6 Counties, and we hardly see one any more going to and from Danville to Champaign.
Post a reply Back to Topics