Car Talk

January 2006

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have two routes I can take to work, both along interstate highways. The more crowded, direct route is 20 miles and takes me 40 minutes because of stop-and-go traffic. My average speed is only 30 mph if I take the shorter route, but I'm on the brakes a lot. The longer, circuitous route is 30 miles, but takes only 30 minutes, because I can cruise at 65 mph most of the way. If I take the shorter route, I suspect I'm using less gas, because I'm driving fewer miles -- 20 miles instead of 30. If I take the longer route, my commute is 10 minutes shorter, and I feel there is less wear and tear on the car. From the standpoints of gas mileage and vehicle wear and tear, which is the best route to take? -- Bob

RAY: Well, let's do the math. You don't say what kind of car you drive. Let's assume it's one of the popular mid-size cars that gets about 16 miles per gallon in stop-and-go driving and 25 mpg on the highway.

TOM: So when you take the shorter, stop-and-go route, you travel 20 miles, which requires 1.25 gallons of gas (20 miles divided by 16 mpg equals 1.25 gallons).

RAY: And when you go the cruising route, you travel 30 miles, but you get 25 mpg, so you use 1.20 gallons (30 miles divided by 25 mpg equals 1.20 gallons).

TOM: So, in terms of the amount of gas you use, it's a wash. Therefore, you have to turn to the other factors.

RAY: Which puts more wear and tear on your car: 30 highway miles, or 20 stop-and-go miles? I'd say stop-and-go miles are going to do more to wear out your brakes, steering components and suspension. The highway miles are going to put more wear and tear on your tires. But I'd give the cruising route the edge here.

TOM: Then there's your time. The stop-and-go route takes you 40 minutes, and the cruising route takes you 30. Advantage, cruising.

RAY: Then there's the effect on the eventual resale value of your car. The longer route will put an extra 5,000 miles per year on your car (10 miles a day each way, times 250 working days a year). If you're only keeping the car for three or four years, it doesn't matter much. But if you're planning to keep it for 10 years, you'll have an extra 50,000 miles on it when you sell it. And you'll get less for it. Sure, you'll tell the buyer that it's all highway miles, but every seller with high mileage says that. So here I'd say: advantage, stop and go.

TOM: And then there's the safety issue. If your average speed is 30 mph and you have an accident, it's probably not going to be as bad as if you were driving 65 mph. So the advantage here goes to the stop-and-go route.

RAY: You also have to weigh the effect on your psyche. I happen to find highway driving stressful. When I'm going fast, I feel like I have to be constantly on alert. So I find slower, stop-and-go driving much more relaxing.

TOM: Are you crazy? Stop-and-go traffic is what drives me nuts. Give me the open road, man! Just let me move, even if I have to go twice as far.

RAY: So, in conclusion, Bob, it's clear that the answer is, You need to relocate, and move closer to work! Beat up old car

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