Highway vs In-Town

[supton]

Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
supton - Not trying to nitpick, but I think the OPs commute is half what you laid out above.

Originally Posted By: Bob5150
My commute goes from 18 miles per day to 37 miles per day, so about double the mileage.



*slaps head* Right you are, I missed the "per day". Some days my reading comprehension is the absolute pits.

 

[datech]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
I do something similar since buying the Regal. On my morning commute with the Park Avenue, I used to drive mostly surface streets after crossing the Miss. River Bridge, total of 9 miles/25 minutes. Now I stay with the expressway for 2-3 extra miles, then exit to (better paved) surface streets with fewer lights, total of 12 miles/20 minutes.

Plus it's a lot more fun.


It seems like the decision is pretty close. Maybe just go with what you like. Which way is safer, or more enjoyable? Do you ever check on the 'net for traffic problems/delays, etc. That's would I would do.

I had a 45 mile commute once, and I found 4 or 5 different routes, which all were withing 10-15 minutes travel time, so I would just vary according to what I wanted to do.

 

[D189379]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Bob5150

Cons:

-slightly more fuel used

Slightly? You're roughly doubling your fuel cost because you're driving twice the miles each day and you're wearing out all other components of the car more while doing so.

Taking an average fuel consumption of around 23 MPG, over the course of 15 years, you'd be paying $13,000 more for gas if you took the longer route, assuming gas prices stay at $4/gal. By comparison, how much would a new transmission cost you?


I don't think his slipping transmission in his 20 year old car is going to last him another 15 years.

 

[Kuato]

Drive the short route, and put the saved gas costs aside for the next beater. Then get a manual trans .

 

[datech]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
I do something similar since buying the Regal. On my morning commute with the Park Avenue, I used to drive mostly surface streets after crossing the Miss. River Bridge, total of 9 miles/25 minutes. Now I stay with the expressway for 2-3 extra miles, then exit to (better paved) surface streets with fewer lights, total of 12 miles/20 minutes.

Plus it's a lot more fun.


My guess is the new, longer route also uses less gas because the engine is running 5 minutes less. Cruising on the highway in top gear for 3 miles probably uses less gas than idling at stop lights and accelerating in lower gears.

Sometimes you just have to test each way and see. Hard to say.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: datech
Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
I do something similar since buying the Regal. On my morning commute with the Park Avenue, I used to drive mostly surface streets after crossing the Miss. River Bridge, total of 9 miles/25 minutes. Now I stay with the expressway for 2-3 extra miles, then exit to (better paved) surface streets with fewer lights, total of 12 miles/20 minutes.

Plus it's a lot more fun.


It seems like the decision is pretty close. Maybe just go with what you like. Which way is safer, or more enjoyable? Do you ever check on the 'net for traffic problems/delays, etc. That's would I would do.

I had a 45 mile commute once, and I found 4 or 5 different routes, which all were withing 10-15 minutes travel time, so I would just vary according to what I wanted to do.

I do prefer this current if longer way, and the surface streets I travel now are in much better areas. When I lived in Denver I delighted in finding new or interesting ways to and from work. Here, there are only 3 or 4 reasonable-distance ways for me to use in my commute, and two of them have streets in poor condition and in poor areas.

 

[Propflux01]

I don't think it matters much. If the transmission is slipping as bad as he says, it's not gonna last long anyway. I've never had them last long when they slip no matter how good I babied them.

 

[kkreit01]

You listen to Dave Ramsey much? Life is short. Drive something decent, and keep making normal payments on the house. You can get used car loans for ~2.5%.

I would pick the shortest route. When it does break, you'll want to be closer to home, and on a suburban road -- vs. a busy highway.

 

[Lyman]

I'd say it's time to start shopping for your next beater.

 

[KitaCam]

I have the same choice to get to the highway from home...
City streets or highway feeder with fewer lights...distance is +2 miles on the feeder...
I go with the feeder because I drive a stick and it's just a smoother drive...why not?