Anyone ever gone from NY to Florida in their Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Rocco42, Jul 1, 2011.

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  1. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    I am going to see the final launch of the Space Shuttle next week, and was wondering if anyone had done the trip from NY to Florida in a Gen III. I was thinking that the 1100 mile trip should take me just about 2 tanks of fuel. That's pretty cheap.

    Anyone else have any info I should know about this trip.

    It will be a bittersweet moment for me. I grew up watching the Mercury missions on TV, and being drawn into the field of science by them, like many a kid of that time. I watched the Apollo missions moon landing, and kept up with a lot that NASA does over time. I never got to see the Kennedy Space Center, and am looking forward to my first visit there. The bittersweet part of it, is that with all the budget cuts that NASA has suffered, I'm afraid it will be the last manned space mission that I will be able to see in my lifetime.

    Go figure... They spend more money on air conditioning for the troops in Iraq than they do on all of NASA!
     
    #1 Rocco42, Jul 1, 2011
  2. Troyroy

    Troyroy Member

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    Yes, have done this trip before......your not going to get that good a mileage.....because of high speed on I-95

    Figure 3 tanks of fuel....that's more what you will spend.

    Have a great trip......be careful !!!!!!
     
    #2 Troyroy, Jul 1, 2011
  3. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Last February I drove the Prii in my avatar from Minneapolis Minnesota to Orlando Florida (~1590 miles) on about $118 in gas. I ran 70-75 MPH the whole way. At the very worst running 80-85 MPH, a Gen III will get 43 MPG and that is loaded very heavy with stuff. Set your tires at 45 psi minimum if you want to eek a bit more mileage out of her :p The Prius is a awesome traveling vehicle whether you travel back roads or hauling nice person down the Interstates ;) Enjoy that Space Center, it is very cool indeed :)

    Mike
     
    #3 WE0H, Jul 2, 2011
  4. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    I took a 3500 mile trip to Florida in January from Boston to Daytona Beach to Orlando to Boynton Beach to Fort Myers to Daytona Beach and back home fully loaded with stuff. Trip A read 47.5 MPG at the finish.
    I filled up twice on the way to Daytona and had plenty left when I got to Daytona.
    Take 295 arounf DC.
    Stay on 95 thru Jacskonville.
    If you have an EZ Pass it will work all the way to the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
    Enjoy your trip.
     
    #4 skilbovia, Jul 2, 2011
  5. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    I've done the Florida trip from just north of Detroit to see the shuttle launch twice in my 2010 Prius. The first was with the family and all the luggage and the Prius turned in 49.3 MPG running the speed limits on cruise control. We saw a spectacular pre-dawn launch that I will never forget. The second trip was by myself and the Prius did 49.9 MPG running the speed limit on cruise control. I drove from my home 30 miles north of Detroit to Chattanooga TN on the first tank of gas! My tires are at 42/40. Unfortunately the launch was delayed for 3 months so I never saw that one. I did take a tandem mile high hang glider flight while in Florida. That was also incredible and I highly recommend it!

    I understand the bittersweet feelings and hope it it is launched while you are there. Enjoy the trip!!!
     
    #5 DetPrius, Jul 2, 2011
  6. FLteacher

    FLteacher Junior Member

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    Where are you planning to go to see the launch? Do you have tickets for the Space Center?
     
    #6 FLteacher, Jul 2, 2011
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    If you have to stay a night in hotel, it won't save you. If you are bringing more people then driving should be more economical than flying.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Jul 2, 2011
  8. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    Yes, I have two tickets for the Space Center, and am only using one, as the other person bailed out on me. Know anyone who needs a ticket?
     
    #8 Rocco42, Jul 2, 2011
  9. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    Like I said, the person who was going to go with me, bailed out. The cost is not an issue at this point. I just want to see the last manned space launch probably in my lifetime.
     
    #9 Rocco42, Jul 2, 2011
  10. FLteacher

    FLteacher Junior Member

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    Yes. Me!
     
    #10 FLteacher, Jul 2, 2011
  11. Larrylifelines

    Larrylifelines Junior Member

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    Done the trip from Rockland County, NY, to Cape Coral, FL, several times. Best advice is to skip I-95 and use the inland routes--78 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95. I get 36 MPG, because I do the trip with my kayak and bike on the roof, and go 75 - 80 MPH. Enjoy the launch--I always wanted to see one.
     
    #11 Larrylifelines, Jul 3, 2011
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    At 50mpg you'll need 22 gallons. I got 46mpg-51mpg per tank between Philadelphia & Charleston this winter so you'll have to work for that 50.

    I found the cheapest gas at Colonial Heights, VA (same price as South Jersey) & Latta, SC (even cheaper). I don't know what prices in GA or FL are but you may want to top off while still in SC.

    I stayed on the Interstates for almost the whole trip. Picking up US40 in Delaware & riding it down to White Marsh MD (just above Baltimore) will boost the FE.

    Driving straight through isn't a bright idea. You'll need to pull over somewhere & sleep. That's what the rest stops are for. Just drop the seat all the way back.
     
    #12 JimN, Jul 3, 2011
  13. ArielG

    ArielG New Member

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    Gah! I really wanted to go to this... because of my job (I'm a biology teacher at a school involved with the SSEP) I can go and watch from where NASA employees go to watch. It's a bit pricey for me to fly and hotel it alone (and I know I can't drive it alone - I'm sure I'd fall asleep). Someone talk me out of purchasing a last minute plane ticket.
     
    #13 ArielG, Jul 3, 2011
  14. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    We drove from Cleveland OH to Key West once and from Cleveland to Winterhaven another time.

    I do not have the details on the Key West trip. Going to Winterhaven we left with a full tank of gas. We drove (20 hours) with one stop for gas and a potty break. I never turned the car off at the gas station.
     
    #14 Judgeless, Jul 4, 2011
  15. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    Thanks everyone... I'll let you know what mileage I get on the trip.
     
    #15 Rocco42, Jul 5, 2011
  16. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    Well, the trip is in the history books.
    The launch was great. Kennedy Space Center brought back many childhood memories, that caused me to choke up from time to time. If you have kids, and want a nice place to take them, where they might actually learn something, this is the place. It may be a bit pricey, but it's less expensive than Disneyworld, and more informative.

    At any rate, the trip encompassed about 2810 total miles, on about 54 gallons of fuel. That's about 52 mpg. The cruise control was used on the highways, which I believe adversely effected fuel consumption, especially at speeds above 65 mph.

    Why so many miles, may you ask? I stayed at a little old motel in Daytona Beach Shores, whose backyard was the beach! I made a couple of trips to KSC, Titusville, and Merrit Island Wildlife Preserve. I also wanted to go across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and at a lunch stop, found my way to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, and Chincoteague Island, VA. All in all, it was an excellent vacation.

    I was getting great mileage when speeds were lower than 65 mph, but as soon as I hit 70, it gradually went down. I consider it a learning trip as well, to see the performance of my new machine.

    Oh, I came up with a name for my car. I call him Darwin.
     
    #16 Rocco42, Jul 18, 2011
  17. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    ^snipped^

    So are you saying we should not have or do not need air conditioning? :confused:
     
    #17 dustoff003, Jul 18, 2011
  18. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    No, it's about priorities. More a priority in this country for attacking a country that posed no threat to us, than exploring space, and making things better for everyone on the planet.

    Do you know that this country spends more on the military than the rest of the world's countries combined? Do you know that clearly one half of our Federal tax dollars go to the military??
    You should read Eisenhower's Farewell Speech, and see the factions that he warned us of. You can find it here: Eisenhower's Farewell Address to the Nation
    And there's even a video, if you don't care to read it here:
    ‪Eisenhower Farewell Address (Full)‬‏ - YouTube
     
    #18 Rocco42, Jul 19, 2011
  19. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Ha ha ...good name...survival of the fittest...car?
    My relatives do same trip with CAMRY better MPG, >100 MPG (via AMTRAK auto-train).
    I am envious..had the idea...we saw SST Launch #10 with the kids. Great experience.
    I know its a crap shoot with the weather. Good job. Any pics?
    Still time to see landing? Do they allow that?
     
    #19 wjtracy, Jul 19, 2011
  20. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    Yeah, the Autotrain costs more, when you consider the train fare. And there is no adventure on a train as there is when you drive yourself.
    Pics can be found here:https://picasaweb.google.com/rocco.rizzo/July2011HistoryInTheMaking

    I believe that they do allow people to view the landing, but from a safe distance. I would check with KSC though.
     
    #20 Rocco42, Jul 20, 2011
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