I went to Eric Clapton concert last night (the real reason I started this thread!), and by the time it was over the time was almost 11 pm. I was very tired and had to drive back, beating the traffic in the parking lot and around the concert venue before getting on the highway. It was not the traffic itself that hurt fuel economy, sadly, it was the driver. I was so tired by the time I got to the highway (note: almost zero traffic) I just want to get home! I wasn't focused on fuel economy or hypermiling anymore. I could barely keep my concentration on the road it was very hard to concentrate on everything happening on the HSI and MFD. I just stepped on it and hope it would get me home faster.
During my trip to Charleston (700 miles) I mostly locked the RCC on the speed limit. At 70mph FE was mid-to-high 40's. At 65mph it was high 40's. For a stretch north of Fayetteville, NC I locked onto a truck doing 65 since I wasn't in a hurry to get home. I feel driving at night is easier with the reduced traffic & avionics. BTW, SC, NC, VA, MA, DE & NJ all look alike in the dark.
I never try using cruise control before in my life. I almost forgot my Prius got it. Maybe I should give it a try next time. But I have to agree driving at night is a lot easier and more enjoyable, but only if you are in good condition to drive.
Would I make anybody here feel old if I replied "Who is Eric Clapton?" (Just kidding.) Personally, I love driving in the middle of the night - 3 AM is a great time for hypermiling, when I can coast from 40 mph down to 20 if I want, without annoying anybody else (except maybe my passengers, who don't count).
I drive much slower at night. I'm a night owl anyway so I'm wide awake after hockey at midnight. Without traffic, I can hypermile to my heart's content.
Sounds like I am the only one who have problem staying awake driving at night! In terms of traffic, the best time to drive is at night, no question about it.
