A gas mileage question...or maybe it's a math/physics problem..

[likesmountains 52]

I can drive 9 miles to work in traffic with 11 stoplights and traffic..or I can go the back way 3 stoplights and no traffic but travel 15 miles. I get 37-40 mpg now, and am just curious if anyone knows if it's more efficient to drive further, but stop less..or to just go with the route that's fewer miles. Have fun!

[NMDemDist2]

1. I'd go the long route,

starting and stopping eat fuel like crazy

a body in motion stays in motion, a body at rest wants to stay at rest....

It would sure be worth it to test the theory with a tank of gas I bet

[Warpy]

2. The only way to test this is to fill the tank, do one route for a week

then fill the tank again, keeping track of what it takes to fill that tank. Then take the other route for a week, fill the tank and compare the numbers.

It's a short trip so the savings will probably be minute when you compare one week to the next. However, those savings will mount up over a year or two.

[yy4me]

3. Minor bonus to your solution, the long was will save wear and

tear on your brakes and transmission. Probably other things too.