Going from a 45 mile commute to a mere 5 mile commute

[pricoaster]

I currently drive a 45 mile one-way commute, 90% freeway. I consistently avg. 50-53 mpgs on my '06 Prius that has about 24k miles. Right now I have to work to get lower than 50 mpgs. In about a month I'll be moving much closer to work, cutting my commute to just over 5 miles one way, about 3 of those miles will be on the freeway. It's looking like the total commute time will be about 10 minutes or so. Terrain is flat, no large hills at all. I live in Southern California so the weather doesn't get too cold, but I know this shorter commute will cut down on my mpgs. As for errands, everything I need is within 3-5 miles of where I'll be living, so it looks like a lot of short trips. Looks like now I'll be working to get close to 50 mpgs. Any ideas on what I can expect?

[Betelgeuse]

If you do no other driving than what you've described here, I'd guess you can probably expect ~40 MPG in LA weather. Somewhat worse when you have to use the A/C. My significant other does a similar-length commute to you and, when the weather is nice out here in CT, she manages about 40 MPG. When it gets cold, she's lucky to get 35 MPG.

[darelldd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pricoaster @ May 29 2007, 07:10 PM) [snapback]451804[/snapback]</div>

I'll be moving much closer to work, cutting my commute to just over 5 miles one way, about 3 of those miles will be on the freeway.[/b]

Well, that's great news. Regardless of what your MPG is, you'll use much less gas overall - and THAT should always be the goal. Seriously.

Any ideas on what I can expect?
[/b]

I'd excpect to leave the car at home most days and get in better shape by riding my bicycle.

[JimboK]

Even in the warm climate, an engine block heater would help you, assuming you have somewhere to plug it in. It has its greatest effect in the first 5-10 minutes of driving. I easily get 40-50 MPG in my first 5-minute segment with it.

[qbee42]

I'll guess about 45 mpg. As darelldd said, regardless of your mileage, a 5 mile commute is way better than a 45 mile one. Living close to work (or working close to home) is a big, big plus.

Tom

[larkinmj]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ May 30 2007, 07:47 AM) [snapback]451985[/snapback]</div>

I'll guess about 45 mpg. As darelldd said, regardless of your mileage, a 5 mile commute is way better than a 45 mile one. Living close to work (or working close to home) is a big, big plus.

Tom
[/b]

Besides what you'll save in gas (even if you're MPG isn't as good), you'll be spending a lot less time in your car (as much as I love my Prius, I don't want to live in it!), which means for time for family, fun, etc.

[VABeachPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ May 30 2007, 07:18 AM) [snapback]451970[/snapback]</div>

Even in the warm climate, an engine block heater would help you, assuming you have somewhere to plug it in. It has its greatest effect in the first 5-10 minutes of driving. I easily get 40-50 MPG in my first 5-minute segment with it.
[/b]

Jim,

What are speeds and techniques for the first 5 mins. With a block heater, I think the best I see is 30-35 mpg.

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VABeachPrius @ May 30 2007, 09:50 AM) [snapback]452035[/snapback]</div>

Jim,

What are speeds and techniques for the first 5 mins. With a block heater, I think the best I see is 30-35 mpg.

[/b]

Probably the best example I can give is coming out of my fiancee's house. Her driveway is about 500' and slightly downhill, so I can baby the car and not pull too much from the battery during S1. I'm generally at S2 by the time I pull onto the road. I accelerate (keeping RPM in the sweet spot) until either it gets unsafe, I'm at risk of a ticket (45 MPH limit), or the ICE temp hits 158F (triggering S3 operation). I figure since the ICE insists on running anyway in S2, I might as well get as far as I can on it. With the pre-heated ICE on these warm mornings, that's only about a mile. Once at S3 I can warp stealth down into P&G ranges, depending on traffic, until I hit a stop sign about a mile and half into it. I turn either right or left depending on my destination. The route from the left turn involves two more turns within a half mile, so I accelerate until I can start gliding again, and glide down to a speed at which I can safely make the turns. A right turn is onto a lightly traveled road that's usually ideal for sustained P&G. In light traffic on that route I've actually hit 60-65 MPG on the first 5-minute segment, but I didn't want to create any unrealistic expectations for the more typical driver.

To the OP and others: If the description of my driving techniques overwhelms you, don't fret. Even with "normal" driving the block heater should make a considerable difference in that first 5-minute segment.

[tripp]

I have a 5 mile commute over pretty hilly terrain. Speeds range between neighborhood and 55 mph. There are 13 traffic lights on my commute. Without a block heater I can manage low fifties in the spring summer and mid forties in the late fall/winter.

[Wayne]

I do the same commute, short trips and all, only over 7 miles. My guess is 50 will become a struggle for you, but I don't see you going below 45 (on average). I get 48 to 49 in the summer, but those last two miles help me out.