1500 Mile Road Trip Review

We visited my girlfriend's daughters & grandkids this week, traveling from Michigan to Virginia Beach. Given the recent changeover in my vehicle stable, it was between spending an estimated $300 in fuel to drive the new Ridgeline or $130 to drive the Prius. We took the Prius as it was just the two of us with only a couple bags and had no regrets. The actual fuel cost was just under $110, averaging 52.3 MPG per fuelly.

Observations:
- No problems maintaining speed in the (mild) mountains of PA on I-76.
- Seat comfort was fine, as we stopped for breaks about every 2-3 hours and swapped seats.
- We drove one tank down to a remaining range of 13 miles and it only took 9.6 gallons to fill - plenty of reserve.
- Cargo space was ample as we took a number of presents under the rear floor and used that space for dirty laundry on the way back.
- The Prius was a hit with my girlfriend's adult daughters. The boyfriend of the younger daughter sniffed at 50 MPG, claiming he gets 60 in his 1990 Ford Festiva.
- I never felt at a loss for power when needed, like when pulling away from a toll booth, etc.
- The open area under the "bridge" was very useful for small items needed when on the road.
- My girlfriend liked to creep up to 80 MPH if not using cruise control.

Aside from visiting family, swimming in the ocean, & good food, the Blue Angels and other jets were practicing over the beach for the air show this weekend. Also my girlfriend (former Navy) asked her ex-husband (also former Navy) to get us on a carrier. Since most of his carrier contacts had retired, he took us where he works as a contractor at NAS Oceana. I think this beats a carrier. While I was in the cockpit of that operational F-18, a Sr. Chief walked by and asked him "Does he know what NOT to touch in there?"