Altitude Driving.

kdogg · July 23, 2009

I'm going on a trip, leaving at 2am tommorow, and was wondering what route option I should take. I could take I 5 all the way to Medford mostly just above sea level and then go up. Or go down to Portland and start heading east up the mountains, and travel the rest of the way at high altitude. What would be better for me, the truck and the gas? Oh forgot to mention I'm also towing my 25 ft camper trailer. Everything is unloaded as light as possible.

Any advice would be appreciated.

mattgob86 · July 24, 2009

well on gas it would be better to stay down on flat land till you absolutly have to go up a mountain unless you are going up a mountain to some flat land, its the up and down and lack of consistancy that screws ya on gas

68haywagon · July 24, 2009

Thinner air means you burn less gas...but then again you also lose power.

I don't have any experience towing so I can help you out there.

Mike

elcompalaline · July 24, 2009

Seems like my truck lost MPG when I first drove up here (Hood River OR) from Vegas. I think it was due to the altitude since it was not used to it. Now its a bit better on gas (after almost 2 months now), so IMO I would just go for it and eat the bullet as far as fuel costs, if your truck is not used to the different altitude and your towing than bad MPG will be the result regardless of your route.

MRMDFY · July 24, 2009

You're talking about driving from Bothell, WA to Medford, OR? If the two routes you're considering were even close in terms of distance, I could understand your question. As it is, you're talking about virtually 100% freeway driving for 460 miles on a major interstate versus 1/3 freeway driving and adding 60 miles to your journey. For the remaining 2/3 of your trip, you'd have to average 20+% better fuel economy to break even and the drive will take longer.

About the only way you win is better and more diverse scenery. For a few bucks and 8 hours of drive-time, that may well be worth it. For that matter, tack another 90 miles onto your trip and head through Yakima and Bend. If you're not in a hurry, that'd be a nice drive.