But gawd, can you drive....

[Milu]

It's years since I've driven in the states and I don't want to knock, criticise, dispute, flame or otherwise critique the view that a 70 average on a journey is possible. Of course it is. I've probably done it more often than anyone posting on this thread. But always on a one-way journey from A to B. I suppose it could be done if one went up and down a deserted stretch just for the sake of racking up miles, but on a normal trip?

Has anyone besides PB averaged 70+ over 5000 miles? If yes then you have access to roads and conditions that go way beyond anything I'm familiar with, leaving me truly envious.

[Noah930]

I'm glad everyone seems to have had such pleasant and rapid driving experiences in their necks of the woods. The couple weeks per year I go home to visit my parents in LA (Hollywood) seem to be filled with lots of traffic...at most times of day.

A trip out to Palm Springs was filled with several episodes of stop-and-go traffic, even out in BFE Redlands. And we had the opportunity to witness a CHP on the side of the road running radar just before we reached Palm Springs--actually it was the car that had just passed us a mile back that had the dubious distinction of discovering the speed trap. Admittedly, it is rare to see CHP running radar (IIRC there is some unofficial rule that says they only run radar/laser if the local town has purchased the unit for them), but not for that lady that day.

I still stand behind my experiences of finding awareness and courtesy rare commodities on American roads.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by CS119laCoS


Also, there is almost NO radar used on So. Cal. highways. I don't think I've ever seen it, in fact. If they use it, it is very rare.

Depends where you are. hwy 14 between Valencia and Palmdale it is pretty common. On the 2-lane highways in southern and central CA, it is even more common. The main stretches within the city not so much, mostly because traffic tends to be heavier and visual is easier.

[Purrybonker]

Originally posted by Milu
Sorry guys, I don't believe it is possible to average 70+ mph over 5000 miles on the streets. Even allowing for lack of traffic and that PB was only measuring when he had the engine running.

I was playing around with the Garmin Nuvi on the way to the office this morning. I checked the log and it still shows about 2/3 of my trip data, it was reset at some point during the trip; but stills show data for 3700 miles. After using it on and off again around town back here in Calgary it still shows a moving average of 69.9 MPH over 3700 miles.

This slick little Nuvi allows for screen shots - I'll post the screen shot showing my trip data later on today.

Man I love this thing and would never go on a road trip again without it.

[Howard Agency]

Whatever. Returning from 914club event, Moab, UT to Westlake Village CA. Speed limit from Moab to just north of Vegas is 75, traffic (very light) moved a bit faster. And +1 on the Nuvi!!!. Does anyone have the Euro card or data? Going 'over there' end of the month.

BTW, it shows shipping lanes when you are at sea!

[Nostril Cheese]

it is possible to average 90MPH on the 405 through the westside at 5AM.

[Moses]

I'm embarassed to admit it, but I once drove from TRE in West Hollywood to the Bay Area (350 miles) in 4:45

That's over 73 MPH and the last hour I was limited to 50-60 MPH.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Moses
I'm embarassed to admit it, but I once drove from TRE in West Hollywood

umm, TRE is in North Hollywood. If there is a TRE in *West* Hollywood, I think "pistons and cylinders" have a different meaning...

[Moses]

Originally posted by nostatic
umm, TRE is in North Hollywood. If there is a TRE in *West* Hollywood, I think "pistons and cylinders" have a different meaning...

Oops! Maybe that's why it took so long to get out of there. Tyson and Dave have some 'splainin to do.

[Moneyguy1]

Interstate 20; West Texas. Hardly any traffic, sky's the limit.

East Texas: 'nother story. Obey the posted limits and watch for the changes when entering incorporated areas.

[Noah930]

If there is a TRE in *West* Hollywood, I think "pistons and cylinders" have a different meaning...

And how might you know that?

[artplumber]

Originally posted by Noah930
And how might you know that?

If you've ever visited there (or lived there) it is obviously, to use another sporting analogy, the land of pitchers and catchers.

[Purrybonker]

Originally posted by artplumber
If you've ever visited there (or lived there) it is obviously, to use another sporting analogy, the land of pitchers and catchers.

nope, you must be thinking of the wrong sport there sport, 'cause a football playing acquaintence of mine spent some time in WeHo recently...

....seems he left here as a Tight End, but when he came home he was a Wide Receiver.

...ta dum...

[Purrybonker]

[Howard Agency]

Originally posted by Purrybonker

Damnn! Had to beat me by 1 mph
This was in a stock 914. I'll take the 996 next time

[speeder]

What do those things cost? I want one!

[artplumber]

This is probably not the greatest thing to post on the web (ie top speed 113 mph)

And I believe, that this proves the issue raised, that the moving average may have been approx 70 mph, but the overall average was closer to 60mph.

[Howard Agency]

Denis, here ya go. Other models offer almost the same features for less $, but the Nuvi's shirt pocket size, MP3 and storage capabilties sold me. Push a button and find the nearest gas station, lodging, hospital, etc. with distance and directions to each. Restaurants by type of food. Our local Costco has them for $550. I paid more a few months ago... like all of these gadgets, the prices are coming down.

Peter, 'stopped' refers to really stopped, as in gas, lunch and pee breaks. And I don't know about Purry, but I was in four states AND stopped at Willow for a couple of hot laps. I never exceed posted limits.
I was also surprised at the high average speeds, but little traffic and courteous drivers made it easy. Surprise 2: 914/4 averaged 31.6mpg, with one leg over 36.

Nuvi

[Milu]

Originally posted by Purrybonker
I was playing around with the Garmin Nuvi on the way to the office this morning. I checked the log and it still shows about 2/3 of my trip data, it was reset at some point during the trip; but stills show data for 3700 miles. After using it on and off again around town back here in Calgary it still shows a moving average of 69.9 MPH over 3700 miles.

This slick little Nuvi allows for screen shots - I'll post the screen shot showing my trip data later on today.

Man I love this thing and would never go on a road trip again without it.

Mr PB,
What can I say beyond eating my words and mentioning that I think you are one lucky guy to have enjoyed a trip like that.

[Purrybonker]

Originally posted by Howard Agency
Peter, 'stopped' refers to really stopped, as in gas, lunch and pee breaks. And I don't know about Purry, but I was in four states AND stopped at Willow for a couple of hot laps. I never exceed posted limits.

Yes, I meant to mention that as well. The max speed and other data can be reset independently. The 113 mph on mine is a "leftover" from a track day and does not reflect speed on public roads.

I'm with Howard - the Nuvi 360 is just the ticket. Use it in the car, stick in your shirt pocket when you're walking or riding the bike. I take it for walks daily and listen to audiobooks while working out. It has an SD slot to load up on MP3's or any kinda electro-crap. The only weakness I've found is the lousy speaker. Use headphones or aux input to audio equipment for anything other than nav instructions. It even has numerous selectable voices and languages - you can have an aussie, french or british chick telling you where to get off if that does it for you.

Garmin has a new Nuvi 660 out. It has a bigger screen and an FM transmitter - neither of these appeal to me. I like the size of the 360 and the FM transmitters never work in densely populated areas anyway. But the 660 will probably mean a price drop on the 360.