Do the math on commute route

Friday, January 6, 2006

Dear Tom and Ray: I have two routes I can take to work, both along interstate highways. The more crowded, direct route is 20 miles and takes me 40 minutes because of stop-and-go traffic. My average speed is only 30 mph if I take the shorter route, but I'm on the brakes a lot. The longer, circuitous route is 30 miles, but takes only 30 minutes, because I can cruise at 65 mph most of the way. If I take the shorter route, I suspect I'm using less gas, because I'm driving fewer miles -- 20 miles instead of 30. If I take the longer route, my commute is 10 minutes shorter, and I feel there is less wear and tear on the car. From the standpoints of gas mileage and vehicle wear, which is the best route to take?

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