does driving slower really save you money?

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Capitalizt
60MPH is the sweet spot. At that point, an extra 5mph isn't going to make much difference at all. In a 30 mile trip, you'll only arrive 2.5 minute early, but will have likely burned an extra dollar in gasoline. Is 2 minutes of your time worth $1? = $30/hr? Mine isn't, lol... I'll save the gas and leave the house 2 minutes early thank you.

Please, look at my math above. The difference between my post is I actually calculated the numbers and showed my work, while you are just throwing out numbers with no basis in reality.

"have likely burned an extra dollar in gasoline" What is that based on?

Hardly anyone drives 65mph here, average left lane speed is 80mph and some people drive faster. A 30 mile trip, the difference between 60mph and 80mph is 7.5 minutes. Considering both ways, that is 15 minutes a day. Over an hour a week. The gas savings is insignificant compared to the time saved, unless you can't even find a job paying $15/hr.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
In the real world, your perfect math scenario doesn't work. Speeding often just gets you to the next bottleneck faster and diminishes the time savings. And then there are the intangibles, such as speeding-->greater mental stress. Try slowing down sometime and get rid of that "Type-A" driving personality and you might live longer

I'm more stressed going the speed limit with the idiots that surround me, than by going over the speed limit to get away from the morons. I prefer to speed, not necessarily by a lot, but on the highway I tend to always go about 5-10 faster than most in the fast lane, then when I finally find the front of the pack, I slow down to only a few mph faster than those behind me.

This works great, because almost every time, others do the same thing... just want to get in front of the pack. Because the pack is filled with morons who don't know how to drive or keep the same damned consistent speed. I just want to put my cruise control on so I don't unnecessarily shift in speed as well and annoy those around me.

+

 

[nageov3t]

if I get to work 12 minutes late... that's 12 fewer minutes I spend chained to my desk, and I get paid exactly the same, regardless of whether I show up 12 minutes early or 12 minutes late

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think what will save you more money is to decrease your acceleration rather than your velocity. It's all about the RPMs anyways. Also, allowing your vehicle to coast longer while approaching red lights is good too.

Wind resistance is a bitch at 70+ .

I can understand this man's point, but I look at it in a different way. Essentially, travel time = wasted time. Although, it is good to compare how much time you save to the cost of getting into troubles . Like I used to save 1 minute going 80 in a 65. 1 minute isn't worth a huge ticket.

 

[finite automaton]

I do 60mph on the free way, and it's not stressful at all. It might be because I don't give a sh*t what the other drivers do or think, just as long as they don't hit me.

I get 19mpg @ 60 mph, and 16.5mpg at 65mph. Wind resistance is a bitch for my lifted jeep liberty. I usually car pool to work, which is why I havn't considered buying a more efficient vehicle. Plus, you can't have fun off-road with a more efficient vehicle

 

[Throckmorton]

You forgot to factor in the speeding ticket cost for driving 80 in a 55.


And you also forgot to factor in the fact that 80 isn't the flow of traffic anymore with $4 gas, and that speed limits aren't 55 anymore. It's more like 70mph vs 65mph, which isn't going to take 15 minutes of your time away, but 3 minutes. 65 vs 70 is enough to make a 10-20% gas mileage difference for some vehicles. And feeling good about using less resources and lower wear on the vehicle is worth more than the 3 minutes

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
In the real world, your perfect math scenario doesn't work. Speeding often just gets you to the next bottleneck faster and diminishes the time savings. And then there are the intangibles, such as speeding-->greater mental stress. Try slowing down sometime and get rid of that "Type-A" driving personality and you might live longer

Sounds like you just have a bad commute in general. I work odd hours to avoid traffic and the only time I hit those "bottlenecks" is if there is an accident right in front of me. In which case, what can I do? It sucks, but it's not like I would have avoided the traffic if I was driving 5mph under the limit.

I don't believe any of that BS about speeding leading to greater mental stress. It's fun, and I enjoy it. It's not like I am weaving in and out of traffic passing cars- I'm just driving with the rest of the people in the left lanes who are all driving the same speed as me.

 

[BrianH1]

Leave an extra ten minutes earlier and you are in the clear.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I'm guessing you're a salaried worker. You're not getting paid any extra for getting to work earlier.

Technically I am, but it's basically locked at 40 hours a week anyway so it's not like extra time at work is making me extra money.

However, when I'm low on time I end up wasting money. For example, the difference between wasting 14 minutes on my morning commute can mean that I won't have time to make eggs for breakfast (cost aprx $1), and instead I have to buy food at some local place near work for $5. Even if there isn't an exact relationship with time vs money, I know it's a bad idea for me to spend 14 minutes doing something I hate (driving slow in traffic) rather than spending an extra couple bucks on gas and having that time to do anything I want.

Set your alarm so you can wake up 14 minutes earlier.
Problem solved.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
You forgot to factor in the speeding ticket cost for driving 80 in a 55.


And you also forgot to factor in the fact that 80 isn't the flow of traffic anymore with $4 gas, and that speed limits aren't 55 anymore. It's more like 70mph vs 65mph, which isn't going to take 15 minutes of your time away, but 3 minutes. 65 vs 70 is enough to make a 10-20% gas mileage difference for some vehicles. And feeling good about using less resources and lower wear on the vehicle is worth more than the 3 minutes

I didn't forget anything.

I haven't had a ticket in 3 years, and the ticket I did get 3 years ago was from driving too slow.

80 mph is still going with the flow around here, either there are enough people who don't care about the price of gas or maybe it's just to compensate for the horrible traffic we have when there are accidents. And yet, the speed limit *is* still 55mph on the interstates here, absurd as it is. Drive through northern VA sometime, you will see just how stupid the speed limits are- 55, and average driver speed is 75mph in the middle lanes, 80mph+ in the left.

 

[PingSpike]

I agree with the basic premise, thats why I don't take the bus.

That said, everyone is going slower and since the roads I drive on have few if any passing openings, fighting the flow of traffic to save time just wears out my brakes and car while using more gas to get to the same conclusion.

I'm getting better at ignoring the raging voice in my head.

 

[BassBomb]

Hell I go the speed limit and pass idiots who are trying to speed in too populated lanes.

For example my main street to get home from work is 60km/h

Most people are wanting to avoid the people who take right turns in the right lane, so they drive in the left. Also alot of people take left turns onto other major streets.

So I drive in the right lane @ speed limit and can pass significant amount of people, not hitting reds too much and goin on my merry way.

I have reduced my speeding since my school finished (mid April) and it is much more relaxing. And I actually enjoy it that so many people are pissed off tailgating me because im driving the ACTUAL limit!
I have also started accelerating slower and I am saving much more in gas, and my drives are not much longer so I am happy with it.

 

[AMCRambler]

I like watching the people that are in a huge hurry go from red light to red light like a raped ape. Meanwhile I drive normally and get there a few minutes later, lol. I don't drive 5 under the limit to save gas though. My personal time is worth more to me than a few nickels at the pump every fill up.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I go easy on my car to decrease wear and tear and also decrease the amount of gas it takes me to get where I need to go. I guess most of you are busy running mega-corporations and have to spend tons of time at work, which is why you want to squeeze every available second of time at home just a little longer. Or, and this is what I'd guess it is, you think you are really important and that extra 3.2 minutes you'll spend in the car is a complete travesty and you should have free reign over the streets to drive as fast as you want to compensate you for lost time.

If you have to drive faster to get somewhere 3 minutes faster, then drive a normal speed and leave your house 3 minutes earlier. Not only does this make you a responsible, mature adult by understanding you choice of not speeding mixed with a little time management, but it also makes it safer for everyone else since you aren't in a hurry. I'm sure everyone will justify their need to get home a few minutes sooner so they can start their lazy afternoon a few minutes earlier, but it is what it is. I don't care about the money I'm saving by driving the speed limit and generally not being a dumbass on the road. I care about wasting gas needlessly.

 

[overst33r]

Where the hell does traffic go 80mph in a 55mph zone? Don't try to skew the numbers. How about you do 80mph in a 70mph zone and compare that to going 65mph for a more realistic outcome. Your numbers will be dramatically different and make your argument a moot point.

Also, theory is one thing, but every commute has some traffic lights in it, and the speeders are usually the ones to get to the red light first, effectively killing their time advantage... That includes traffic jams as well.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I have a 12 mile commute, speeding doesn't really get me there much faster. Probably about 7-9 miles of freeway.

It's all on the same scale though. If your commute is so short that increased speed won't make a noticeable difference in the time it takes, it also won't make a noticeable difference in the amount of gas used.

Speeding does however make a noticeable difference in odds of getting pulled over, though

Which is why on my 12 mile commute I stay under 10 mph over (unless I am late, but I have become better about speeding now that I have seen 2 people pulled over in the AM this week).

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Xavier434
I think what will save you more money is to decrease your acceleration rather than your velocity. It's all about the RPMs anyways. Also, allowing your vehicle to coast longer while approaching red lights is good too.

Wind resistance is a bitch at 70+ .

I can understand this man's point, but I look at it in a different way. Essentially, travel time = wasted time. Although, it is good to compare how much time you save to the cost of getting into troubles . Like I used to save 1 minute going 80 in a 65. 1 minute isn't worth a huge ticket.

And the ticket will cost you upfront at least 15 minutes if not 30.
Plus the time on the back end to process it.
Points == $$ for the next 3 years
No points == time to fight and/or class time

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Lothar

Set your alarm so you can wake up 14 minutes earlier.
Problem solved.

Why stop there? Lets just quit sleeping, it's a huge waste of 8 hours a day. We can just work all night long instead of sleeping, great idea?

The point is time lost is lost. Just because you can shift it around and make yourself lose time from your sleep instead of losing time from making breakfast, it's still lost. If your time is worth less than $10/hr, go for it. If not, you are just being stupid.

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I like watching the people that are in a huge hurry go from red light to red light like a raped ape. Meanwhile I drive normally and get there a few minutes later, lol. I don't drive 5 under the limit to save gas though. My personal time is worth more to me than a few nickels at the pump every fill up.

I like watching people that drive to work on local roads instead of using a proper highway. I never suggested speeding from light to light, that is silly. Why would anyone choose to drive to work on a road full of stoplights anyway?

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Where the hell does traffic go 80mph in a 55mph zone? Don't try to skew the numbers. How about you to 80mph in a 70mph zone and compare that to going 65mph for a more realistic comparison. Your numbers will be dramatically different and make your argument a moot point.

Northern Virginia.

And the numbers won't be "dramatically" different. Because while the difference in time will scale down, so will the amount of gas wasted.

 

[Parasitic]

You'd have to be traveling at much faster speed to maintain an OVERALL speed of 80mph to get that 22.5 minutes...so in reality maintaining 80mph on the freeway will not actually give you a 14-minute headstart. However, it's much easier and more possible to maintain at least 55mph. Just try it yourself.

And I don't mean just on the freeway. Your daily commute also must consist of backing out of the driveway, waiting at at least 2 traffic lights, and getting to your parking spot on the garage. Add in stopping/accelerating to highway speeds/merging on and off ramps, you're not getting that much more time saving than you think you are.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
I like watching the people that are in a huge hurry go from red light to red light like a raped ape. Meanwhile I drive normally and get there a few minutes later, lol. I don't drive 5 under the limit to save gas though. My personal time is worth more to me than a few nickels at the pump every fill up.

I get entertainmnet value from those types.

Count how many vehicles they inch forward. Usually 3-4 per light at the most.
so after 4-5 lights, they may actually clear one light in front of me.
Then they are again stuck having to work through traffic for another set of lights.

Stress level for me is less.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Your 14 minutes wasted on the commute cost you $4.66, which AFAIK is more than 1 gallon of pretty much anywhere.

By the way, a quick survey at gas prices from gasbuddy shows that in at least 8 counties/metropolitan areas in California the gas prices are >$4.50/gal for pump 87.

San Jose: $4.574
San Francisco: $4.554
Orange: $4.573
Oakland: $4.535
Modesto: $4.517
Los Angeles: $4.602
San Diego: $4.563
Riverside: $4.547
Bakersfield: $4.639
Fresno: $4.537

So your theoretical maximum cost delta isn't far off from realistic gas prices.

 

[dullard]

(1) Time is only money if you would have worked during that wasted time. If your choice is (a) drive 14 minutes more vs (b) work 14 minutes more at an hourly paid job, then your math is important. If your choice is (a) drive 14 minutes more vs (b) waste 14 minutes looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning, then your math is wrong. In this latter example, you get paid the same each year regardless of the option you choose - time wasn't money. Yes, you can put an intangible value on that wasted time, but it often is NOT the value of what you are paid at your current job.

(2) In some cases (free flowing highway/interstate), driving faster gets you there sooner. In some cases (timed stop lights, overcrowded roads) driving faster does NOT get you there sooner. Please don't assume that your case of having more free time applies to us. It may or it may not.

For example, my drive to work is about 12 minutes total. I pass through about 15 stop lights. Of those, 10 are timed. I can floor it and go double the speed limit and still only get there in 12 minutes. Why? I can speed and get through the 5 non-timed lights, but I am guaranteed to just be stopped at the next timed light. So, instead I just drive at a steady pace, let the speed demons pass me, then I pass them in a different lane just as the next light turns green and the speed demons are just starting to accellerate from their stop. This is, of course, relevant to my drive and not yours.

Driving smart saves money without necesarilly losing time.

My goal as always: never hit the breaks unless I am at my destination or there is an emergency. Of course, I can't achieve that goal, but on many drives I can come close. Breaking is where you paid to burn gas that you didn't use. The jackrabbit starts, high speed, followed by slamming on the breaks is just all wasted gas compared to me when we both arrive at the same time.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: dullard
For example, my drive to work is about 12 minutes total. I pass through about 15 stop lights. Of those, 10 are timed. I can floor it and go double the speed limit and still only get there in 12 minutes. Why? I can speed and get through the 5 non-timed lights, but I am guaranteed to just be stopped at the next timed light. So, instead I just drive at a steady pace, let the speed demons pass me, then I pass them in a different lane just as the next light turns green and the speed demons are just starting to accellerate from their stop.

Driving smart saves money without necesarilly losing time.

This is pretty much the case for most of the commuters out there. Unless your house and company are right on a highway so you don't need to wait for traffic lights EVER driving 50% faster will not save you 50% more time.

 

[palswim]

I agree.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...did=1909245&arctab=arc

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Where the hell does traffic go 80mph in a 55mph zone? l.

eyerywhere in this country