Comments on: The cost of driving fast

By: mutuelle

mutuelle — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:38:26 +0000

I just want to thank the writer she approached the topic wisely …

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:28:25 +0000

Dan,

It would be stupid if gas were indeed $0.01/gal. When it gets there we can revisit the topic, where I will then admit to my ’stupidity’. Until then, lets keep things out of the hypothetical realm.

By: Bargain Babe » Round up of tips to cut gasoline costs

Bargain Babe » Round up of tips to cut gasoline costs — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:21:21 +0000

[...] sensibly (read: slowly). Speeding can increase gas costs by 40 [...]

By: Dan V.

Dan V. — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:16:58 +0000

Andrew,

That’s a really stupid way to look at it. What if gas were $0.01/gallon? Is that 28% still worth more than the 23% decrease in time?

-d

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:20:07 +0000

another way to look at it:

according to these numbers, you spend 28% more in fuel to save 23% in time (going 85 vs 65 – I didn’t do 60mph as highways are mostly 65 mph now).

Looking at it that way, I think I would rather spend 23% more time to save 28% in cost. Not only is it safer to drive slower, but you get a ‘free’ 5% savings thrown in there.

Of course, every car is different and some might be closer to equal savings (ie, 10% time savings = 10% cost increase) in which case, I would naturally drive faster….

By: Slinky

Slinky — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:29:24 +0000

Madhu Murthy has an excellent point. I know that I will sometimes go a bit faster so that I can shift to a higher gear rather than run a lower gear at higher rpms. It’s way more efficient. My understanding is also that higher gears are generally better for gas mileage.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:40:09 +0000

I love how this “save the environment” fad has turned people into “safe, considerate drivers.” Why did it take $4/gallon gas prices for all of you to finally learn that driving like an @sshole isn’t necessary. I still see way too many people risking their lives and others going 80+mph because they’re late for work. Every day. Leave a few minutes early, have a peaceful drive to work, and stop being an idiot, I say.

That being said, I don’t believe for a second that Penske trucks get 25mpg, you’re only fooling yourself, it’s physically impossible, you must have had very poor data. And hypermiling isn’t safe. Your idea of saving a few bucks by risking other people’s lives is selfish and is a great example of why brakelights and traffic even exists on the highway in the first place.

By: Madhu Murthy

Madhu Murthy — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:14:32 +0000

There is an underlying fallacy in sticking the speed as the best measure for economical driving. Long distance truckers will tell you that driving at contant optimal rpm is what provides the best mileage. These professionals should know as it is their daily bread and butter. An internal combustion engine, whether diesel or gasoline, gives optimal performance at a constant rpm, usually around 2000 rpm for petrol engines.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:33:28 +0000

My immediate thought was right along with Cameron. In most cases I would much rather have 36 hours of my life at the expense of $270. Unless I deem the time traveling worthwhile, ie, with my bride. Other than that I can’t think of a time/reason I would rather have that $270 over 36 hours of my life.

On second thought I do listen to a lot of audio – books/music/conferences and that’s a pretty good way to ‘get paid’ to do something you enjoy (not at the expense of anything else though – you’re driving, you’ve got nothing else to do).

By: Dan V.

Dan V. — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:12:59 +0000

That’s not a cost of speeding, that’s a cost of not paying attention or not adjusting your speed to prevailing conditions.

-d

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:35:09 +0000

A little fact that most people overlook is that SPEEDING not only costs more but it is the REASON for most of the traffic jams out there. Driver usually speeds until the car in front of him. Hits the brake causing the car behind him to hit the brake and causing a ripple effect. Hence, sometimes you get to the point the traffic speeds up to 65 mph and nobody has any idea why there was a traffic jam in the first place.

By: GB

GB — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:46:04 +0000

Based on your experimental data, the average mpg numbers are accurate to within plus or minus 1 mpg.

By: The Simple Dollar » The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Yellow Edition

The Simple Dollar » The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Yellow Edition — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:01:11 +0000

[...] The Cost of Driving Fast Excellent post that really illustrates the cost of driving fast in pure gas costs. This doesn’t include the risk of getting a speeding ticket (a very real risk – trust me). (@ bargain babe) [...]

By: Jodi

Jodi — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:38:42 +0000

Our recent drive from Missoula, MT, to San Francisco corroborates these numbers. The gas mileage in our 2007 Subaru Forester consistently exceeded the manufacturer’s estimate of 29 MPG. Since we were mostly on two-lane highways instead of freeways, going around 60 made safety sense as well.

But there was also a another benefit. Driving was a lot less tiring! We both found that slowing down made it more pleasant and relaxing and that we felt less compelled to grip the wheel as the days rolled by.

And when you’re driving over 2100 miles, that makes a big difference.

By: Slinky

Slinky — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:59:06 +0000

“For a driver who puts 10,000 miles on their car each year, driving at 85 mph costs an extra $270 but saves 36 hours.”

So…36 hours of your life is worth only $270? If you want to make arguments about safety, that’s another story. Based just on the two factors you’ve presented though, time and money, I can’t say I’m convinced even a little! My time is much more precious to me than the $10/hour I’d save.