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      10-23-2021, 04:04 PM   #1
erickonphoenix
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Road Trip: HOU to AVL

As there is neither fall or mountains in Houston, this year we decided to drive to Ashville, North Carolina to see both the "fall" and "mountains" in person. We ended up driving the Smokey Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway four times, two extra times each just for fun.

All total it was about a 1,985.2 mile round trip we broke it up over two travel days with stops in New Orleans, Biloxi, Gatlinburg, Atlanta.

At 72,431 miles I opted to take a few precautions before departure.
  • Replaced rear tires
  • Replaced front struts
  • Replaced front control arms
  • Replaced sway bar links
  • Replaced rear shocks
  • Changed oil and filter
  • Changed air filter
  • Topped off the coolant with 120 mml

As I DIY'd the suspension work, I got an alignment done as well.

Unless the highway was wide open I opted to run on cruise control and engine set to EcoPro. If traffic opened up I'd turn cruise off and run in Sport. Between some high speed runs and the mountains, my milage was significantly below average. However, my smiles per miles were significantly above average.

I concluded the drive with 1,965.2 total miles
~128 gallons 93 octane (8 tanks at 3.70 average)
Resulting in 20.04 mpg and a fuel bill of around $470 round trip.

Now safely back at home, waiting for the rain the clear up so I can give her a wash.
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      10-24-2021, 07:05 PM   #2
clemsonf31
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Looks like a great trip and the f31 is a very good road trip rig

Max
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      10-25-2021, 12:41 PM   #3
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Awesome trip but I'm having trouble following your numbers?

1985.2 miles, 128 gallons = 15.5mpg??

I can see you gunning it at 110mph but damn lol. Did your radar go off at any point?
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      10-25-2021, 05:10 PM   #4
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Looks like an awesome trip. Such diversity of landscapes within North America, I'm kind of jealous.
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      10-25-2021, 05:13 PM   #5
erickonphoenix
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnj2455 View Post
Awesome trip but I'm having trouble following your numbers?

1985.2 miles, 128 gallons = 15.5mpg??

I can see you gunning it at 110mph but damn lol. Did your radar go off at any point?
it was four fill ups at 15 gallons each then I used a calculator to get the mileage. I add at a third grade level so I'm not above jacking up numbers.

Very little radar but two LIDAR strikes, one in Texas and another in Louisiana. Fortunately it's the deep South so the strategy is to find a big pickup truck, try and pass it which will usually provoke them to speed up so they won't be passed, then drop back and follow them for protection. I've deployed this technique for years.
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      10-25-2021, 08:09 PM   #6
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As someone who moved from ny to houston last year.. The lack of any interesting geography or scenery here is rough man. As an outdoors person who loves hiking and the beach, and as someone who loves spirited driving... this city makes it tough. The roads are SO fkn bad. Sigh. Food is absolutely phenomenal though

Also, I did the drive from htx to ny last october. Lots of fun, and you picked a great time of year. Glad you enjoyed
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      10-25-2021, 08:10 PM   #7
erickonphoenix
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AllaVodka View Post
As someone who moved from ny to houston last year.. The lack of any interesting geography or scenery here is rough man. As an outdoors person who loves hiking and the beach, and as someone who loves spirited driving... this city makes it tough. The roads are SO fkn bad. Sigh. Food is absolutely phenomenal though

Also, I did the drive from htx to ny last october. Lots of fun, and you picked a great time of year. Glad you enjoyed
Agreed, it's a great city to get fat and drunk in. My best advice has been if you must live here, live close to the big airport.
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      10-25-2021, 08:14 PM   #8
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Great pictures from an equally great trip. Thought the preventive maintenance before the trip was more than prudent. Oh ... and the car looks super.
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      10-26-2021, 12:23 AM   #9
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Looks like a really cool trip, love the photos!
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      10-28-2021, 02:20 AM   #10
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Looks like you guys had a great time. Kudos on taking precautionary measures lovely green views!
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      10-28-2021, 03:03 AM   #11
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Nice trip and nice car! That maintenance is actually more than enough lol. Glad you guys enjoyed the getaway.
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