First Road trip LA to Vegas

If I remember right, I15 on the way home to LA has some good grades, (steeper grades than the other direction). So that's good to know that the Prius can handle those without too much of a problem. Did you monitor the energy screen during the trip to see if the electric motor was providing assist during those grades out of LV? I'm curious if the SOC level was after getting over the pass.

My other car I've used on long trips has been a Honda Civic and the ICE has to scream at high revs to make some long grades with the four speed automatic dropping to 3rd. I was hoping the Prius would do much better but have yet to drive a long trip with it.

 

Before we bought our Prius - back in late 03, we rented a Prius to see if it would do the Baker incline - OC to Vegas. After running around in the OC then driving to Vegas, and we filled up in Vegas- it only took 6 gallons and we were SOLD!
Took 4 months to get one - from 5 states and about 30 dealerships, but we have never looked back!

I did put a dog bone pillow on the passenger side head rest for those long trips...

 

I nearly got my Prius in Nevada (Henderson to be precise), but they couldn't get the option package I wanted.

Some have had the seats removed and others put in. They use a resister to fool the system into thinking that the airbag is still there in the seat. When asked if they were concerned about the possibility of needing the airbag in an accident, they said the possibility of that happening is so remote that they're rather pick comfort over safety.

The longest I've been behind the wheel is about 8 hours (with breaks every 2 hours) and have had no problem, but that's me.

 

Thanks for the story Sub, I am taking my first roadie to Vegas in my Prius today!
I will have to compare how mine does to yours, mileage etc. Did you have any issues with any of the valets being confused about driving your Prius? Just wondering. Anyways, wish me luck people! Cause I need it in Vegas!

 

i had to valet park my prius last night and i asked the valet if he knows how to handle the prius. He said that the car is so popular these days that they have a lot of experience parking it...no need for the valet card. it was a restaurant in west hollywood---other places might not have much experience with prius.

 

Where did you have your b-day dinner ?

Ken

 

The Prius does do remarkably well on steep inclines. My earlier car, a Honda Accord, shows revs in the high 3000s while climbing up a hill on my way to work. But the Prius handles it beautifully. If there is another car in front of me, and since it is a "30" zone, there is no momentum left from the downhill run before this climb, then i can hear the ICE contribute to get the car up, but definitely less than i hear the engine from my Accord.

 

We were near Barstow, on the edge of the desert.....


RIP HST

Cheers,
Jeff

 

The Gardens of Taxco in west hollywood. Good authentic mexican restaurant. I had the chicken in cream of cilantro sauce.

 

We've just completed a 1700 mile trip from Silicon Valley to Glamis sand dunes, to Phoenix and back via LA for the weekend.

So we've done 2600 miles in the first month! :|

The car was fantastic on the drive, averaged 50mpg for most of the trip, petrol cost us nothing, and we're very happy with our car.

I do agree though that it isn't terribly comfortable for long trips. My butt kept getting numb and my back was aching, and had to put a pillow behind my back so I wouldn't get crippled.

They were the only problems though, and easily fixable - heading to the shops tomorrow to get a lumbar support!