Took a road trip 2013

We took our 2013 Prius 3 on a road trip for our vacation this year. If anyone has any doubts or worries about taking a Prius on a road trip, you probably want to read this.

Here's the quick story, Phoenix, AZ to St. Augustine, FL, and back. Our total mileage was over 5600 miles, driven in 2 1/2 weeks. One week before we left, I had the 5000 miles service performed at slightly above the 4000 mile mark, and made my next service appointment for three weeks later. (With a rather odd look from the service writer)

Out route was I-10 east, then I-75 south to Tampa, I-4 east to St. Augustine, then back on I-75 to Memphis via Alabama (side trip to Talladega Raceway) then on to Memphis, Tn. From Memphis I-40 west to Flagstaff, AZ, then south back to Phoenix, AZ.

Here's some of the side notes. The car performed perfectly! It handled the 85 mph speed limit in Texas with no problems. It did cost in fuel during this leg of the trip, about 38 mpg. But I wasn't surprised, the motor had to work quite hard during this leg. We had to stop for restroom breaks more than gas breaks though. (This continued to be the case for the whole trip). The first day we traveled for 12 hours, then another 5 to get to our first stop, San Antonio. A couple of days in San Antonio, and then it was off to New Orleans, a 10 hour ride.

We spent a few days in New Orleans, with a small side trip to Mississippi and back, then went on to Tampa. Another long driving day, but no problems. At the 70 to 75 mph speed limit, we averaged about 47 mpg. A couple of days in Tampa, with some driving in between, and then it was off to St. Augustine. A couple of days there, and then we started back west.

St. Augustine to Pell City, AL, was the heaviest rain day that we saw. Sure we had showers along the way, but this was a blinding rain, but again, no issues with the car or handling. One night in AL and we made the short trek to Memphis. Spent a few days in Memphis, had to see Elvis, then continued on from Memphis to Amarillo, TX. (What a long day that was). Again, the speed limit was 70 to 75, and we averaged about 47 mpg, no complaints. Amarillo to Flagstaff through New Mexico (New Mexico is beautiful, well worth the drive through) brought us to Flagstaff, AZ. We filled up in Flag, and started "down the hill". At one point, the dash board was saying we were averaging 91.7 mpg, traveling at 75 mph, but it wasn't going to last. Final fuel tally from Flag was 61.5 mpg, at 65 mph average.

Overall I figure the average fuel economy was in the 47 mpg range,but again, we were traveling about 75 mph for the majority of the time. The next to last day the dash told. Us that maintenance would be required soon. (I was warned it would happen by the service writer before I left the 5000 mile service). The last day, the Maintenance Required alarm came on, and stayed on. I took it in for the 10000 mile service the day after getting home.

The only wear that was found by the dealer during the service was that the cabin and air filters are starting to get dirty, but do not need to be changed yet. No other issues were found.

The GPS unit was used for the entire trip. Directions were spot on, with no real issues. We took our Garmin with us anyway, and used it when we were looking for something to eat or a particular landmark while moving. I used the Entune to find things while the car was stopped. Wish Toyota would realize that sometimes the passenger can look for things on the GPS while the driver drives.

So, as I said, if you are thinking about buying a Prius, and are concerned if it can handle anything you can throw at it, we really put it to the test, and it came through great. My wife had concerns, but after driving it for as long as she did, she told me that she has found to respect what the car can do.

Dave

 

I actually wrote this for the benefit of anyone who is thinking of buying a Prius and is researching the "ins and outs" of the car. Before we bought our car, I did exactly that, scoured the web pages read many threads on the car, so I was comfortable with my purchase, which I was. Before we left, we did hear from many people that we know, who don't know the car, that it would not be able to make the trip, and handle the speeds. Which as we knew, and know now to be wrong.
You would be surprised how many people read these threads, and never post, especially if they have not purchased the car. I just hope that if someone is interested in buying one, and this post helps them out, then great. Otherwise, the Prius crowd, that already knows, can read it and say "so? Nothing new here"
Besides, as I did say in the post, my wife had doubts before we left, now that she has seen the car perform, she's a believer.

 

For the most part, when you get into the cities, and of course construction zones, they lowed you down. When it wasn't 85 in Texas, it's as generally 75. LA, MS, and FL were for the most part 70.