Last week we (the dog and I) travelled to Hereford, Arizona. We went to visit my son, four grand kids, two dogs, two horses and a cat. Debbie was working her way down the coast taking our nephew to visit potential colleges.
We spent one night in a rest area, three nights in my son’s drive way and one night in an AM/PM parking lot (with permission).
Covering over 2,000 miles, the 20k service is due in the next few weeks. Here are the numbers . . .
| MPG | Cost |  |
| 21.6 | price not recorded | |
| 20.1 | $2.30 | |
| 19.0 | $2.10 | |
| 17.4 | $2.40 | |
| 17.5 | $2.40 | |
| 17.4 | $2.40 |
On the way down, I cruised at 62 mph (gps). Coming back, I was at 70-74 mph and you can certainly see the difference. I can’t do the numbers exactly as I don’t have the first price but even 
assuming the same cost of $2.40 per gallon, at the best mileage I was moving a mile for $0.11 and at the worst for $0.138. On a 2k trip running slow could save me $56.00 (did I do the math right?). Time wise though running slow takes 32.3 hours versus 27.8 – how much is that 2 hours each way worth?
There was a lot of traffic. Never were there less than 10-15 cars or trucks in sight there and back. There were lots of rest areas (none with dumping facilities except the ones closest to home on the 5. The Walmart in Sierra Vista (Ft. Huachuca) does not allow overnight stays but we found a 
good place to relax under a shade tree in their lot that was within range of a wireless connection from a near by Burger King.
I also visited Tombstone (don’t) and Bisbee (do) and drove to the top of the Coronado National Memorial. You can get a permit to spend the night on top which would be pretty cool I think.
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Tags: diesel prices, mileage
