We took some video while we were on the trip as well. I have created a video section and posted two videos. A third is forthcoming at some point but it is significantly larger than the first two and thus wasn’t posted initially.
Still working on those other photos … Lots to do and not a lot of time to do it in.
The videos are in Flash Video format and are processed through an SWF video player that was authored by Jeroen Wijering (http://www.jeroenwijering.com).
The 2001 Jetta GL with a 4 cylinder 2.0 L engine and a five speed manual transmission is rated by the EPA for 21 MPG city / 28 MPG highway. With driving about 10 MPH over the limit in most areas, having the air conditioning blasting, using regular gas instead of premium or mid-grade, and having the car fully loaded, we managed to squeeze a little over 30.5 MPG out of it. Things that helped were maxed out air pressure in the tires and mega-premium full synthetic oil in the engine (Mobil 1 15,000 mile).
Using the Forbes numbers for the H2, which are the most generous (since GM doesn’t provide its own numbers for the H2) … if we drove a Hummer H2 on the same trip, it would have cost us $1,406.53 using 458.15 gallons of gas at 13 MPG highway. If you use the other numbers for the H2, it could have been as much as 827.22 gallons of gas costing $2,539.57 at 7.2 MPG.
On the other hand, if we drove a 2007 Prius, which gets 60 MPG city and 51 MPG highway, we would have spent $358.51, using only 116.78 gallons of gas at 51 MPG (using the lower of the two numbers since most of the trip was highway). The 2007 Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle for model year 2007 according to EPA estimates. Since we bettered the advertised fuel economy for the Jetta, it is reasonable to say that we would have bettered the fuel economy for the Prius as well, and would have come in at a lower number.
Kelsey and I were looking at air fare for Arizona, and it was coming up at anywhere between $500 – $1000 round trip for the both of us … we got to see a good chunk of the country in the process, and only spent $600 on fuel. Quite the bargain, I say.
Got home safely, finally. Will post pictures etc tomorrow.
— Kevin, 1:45 AM EST, Washington DC
We stopped in Chicago to meet up with Jon, who is a very distant relation of Kelsey’s (mom’s sister’s husband’s sibling’s spouse’s relation … haha). We had breakfast at this great place called The Pancake House. There are many of them, including one in Bethesda MD, which we will be checking out. He lives in a high-rise with a great rooftop view of the lake and a rooftop pool. We got introduced to the Nintendo Wii while we were there (and it is awesome and we might buy one). After using his shower to feel less gross, we hit the road. Our visit was great, but all too short. Come visit us in DC!
So, with regard to the post title, Kelsey and I are both feeling sick. We will end up getting in late tonight — Google Maps puts it at about 1:00 AM. We are currently taking a food break in Montpelier, Ohio. Ohio is a big state, man … it’s going to take a long time to get across it. We have about 525 miles to go and home is looking pretty good about now. It’s been a lot of fun, but we are both looking forward to sleeping in our own bed and showering in our own shower. Nothing like a 6000 mile road trip to remind you of how much you love being home 🙂
All for now — will post back later.
— Kevin, 4:26 PM EST, Montpelier OH
Yesterday was long day of traveling and not feeling like we got very far. We have since made it through South Dakota, while visiting the Corn Palace. We have also crossed Minnesota and Wisconsin, yes Kevin bought cheese. Now in Illinois and feeling like we are home (the slower speed limit is a big clue!).
We are making good time now and with luck, will be back in Washington DC by night fall. After driving through the night I have happily relinquished driving privileges to Kevin and am going to take a nap. Talk to you all later!