1,800 mile road trip observations
09-21-2018, 05:01 AM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
1,800 mile road trip observations
- 1800 mike road trip...13 GS M6. Started from Louisville Ky and drove to Flint for my 50th class reunion...4 Vettes there, we lined up in a row. The roads in Michigan are in some places are like 3rd world countries. Corvettes are bug eaters and had to go to the self service car wash. Wish I had some clean rags and Quick Detailer. Had a open challenge from a soccer mom in a Chrysler mini van... she won kinda <wink>....One night late when I closed the hatch it did not fully close... I tried to repush the hatch back down and set off the booger alarm at 1 am in my parents senior neighborhood... not good... need to adjust the hatch closer. On my way to Buffalo NY I drove for about 40 miles in 5th gear... forgot to shift to 6th after a traffic slow down.. didn’t seem to affect mileage very much. Marathon gas nozzles do not fit my gas tank very well... they trip off and when the tank is not even close to being full. Mobile nozzles don’t seem do it? Premium gas prices vary widely even though the regular garage were about the same. Premium gas was between $3.45-$3.75 per gallon. On back thru Cleveland, Cincinnati saw over 40 Ohio State Patrol cars on the road... they mean business...and then back to Louisville. 26.7 MPG cruising between 70-75 MPH. Flawless mechanical run ...everything run perfectly.. sweet.
09-21-2018, 06:10 AM
#2
Race Director
Glad you had a good time!! I always keep a small duffel bag of microfiber rags cleaning supplies wax, bug spray, because I like to keep my car cleaned at every rest area I stop at during road trips.
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corvette312 (09-24-2018)
09-21-2018, 07:46 AM
#3
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Sounds like you had a good/safe time! I always keeps a few microfibers and detail spray, at least, in the car!!
09-21-2018, 07:53 AM
#4
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Glad you made it to Flint and back without any major issues. Living in Michigan, know all too well your description of the roads is actually kind, some of the roads here are worse than what you find in 3rd world countries.
As far as 5th gear mileage, both 5th and 6th gear are overdrive ratios, so it should not have had too much impact.
Too bad that your reunion wasn't earlier in the year, you could have seen / attended the "Back to the Bricks" Corvette Reunion held annually in Flint. Typically about 700 - 1,000 Corvettes in attendance.
As far as 5th gear mileage, both 5th and 6th gear are overdrive ratios, so it should not have had too much impact.
Too bad that your reunion wasn't earlier in the year, you could have seen / attended the "Back to the Bricks" Corvette Reunion held annually in Flint. Typically about 700 - 1,000 Corvettes in attendance.
09-21-2018, 10:05 AM
#5
Pro
Michigan has 2 issues with their roads;
Frost heave
No weight limits on trucks
I would see trucks with 8 axles on the trailer, that were full of scrap metal. That's gonna do some damage to roads in a hurry.
If only the northern states would use 4 foot concrete slabs for all roads. You'd never have an issue.
Frost heave
No weight limits on trucks
I would see trucks with 8 axles on the trailer, that were full of scrap metal. That's gonna do some damage to roads in a hurry.
If only the northern states would use 4 foot concrete slabs for all roads. You'd never have an issue.
09-21-2018, 10:19 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
regarding the maintenance. I took the opposite approach on my summer trip this year. 9 day road from California to ohio. retuned the southern route to vegas, then back to the SF bay area. other then cleaning the windshield, didn't wash the car once. I was going for the "badge of honor" I guess. when I'm local, I will keep it pretty clean though.
good to see people really driving these cars!
09-21-2018, 11:30 AM
#7
Instructor
How was your comfort in the car? Any tips or tricks you discovered? How many miles/hours did you do in a day?
I don't have any issues in mine, but the longest trip I have done so far is about 250 miles.
I don't have any issues in mine, but the longest trip I have done so far is about 250 miles.
09-21-2018, 11:39 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
my record for a one day drive is 1,100 miles, Memphis to albuquerque ( as part of a 6k mile, 9 day run ).
upon completion, I was ready to do it again. I'm coming in at 6'-2" @ 300lbs and the only issue I had was leg room.
but even that wasn't a big deal. I probably should have / could have stopped more ( to stretch ), but once I'm going, I'm going.
my only tip would be to just get out and drive! these cars offer great comfort, mileage ( I reached 29.2mpg for my trip ), and performance.
09-21-2018, 12:13 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
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Wow, that is a long story, but quite well told.
09-21-2018, 12:23 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
it was a longer drive. had my older daughter riding shotgun too. currently the only thing holding me from driving more,
is the rise in insurance costs. every time I turn in a mileage audit, here comes the new rates. up over $100/month since last year. no tickets or claims, but the rates keep rising. that's the thanks for being a loyal, 40 year customer.
is the rise in insurance costs. every time I turn in a mileage audit, here comes the new rates. up over $100/month since last year. no tickets or claims, but the rates keep rising. that's the thanks for being a loyal, 40 year customer.
09-22-2018, 02:29 AM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
About the longest I Drive is about 500 miles. The seats are very comfortable and the leg room is good... I am 5’11” and weigh 235 lbs. the rub comes in are the roads... a Corvette on fresh smooth blacktop ride like a dream but when the roads get rough like in Michigan... the ride is like torture. The car felt like it actually left the pavement and land and kinds bounce... dangerous to me.
09-22-2018, 12:30 PM
#12
Advanced
My Wife & I recently did a "road trip" from Mississippi up the east coast to Carlisle Corvette show. Then up to Maine, then back across to Conway, New Hampshire, then Burlington, Vermont. Then across upper New York state to Niagara Falls. Then down through PA. to Lexington Ky., then home to MS. Thee weeks, a little over 5000 miles. Averaged 25-27 mpg. Best of 28 mpg for a couple of tanks. Northern roads took their toll, created a vibration in drive line. Overall a good trip. My wife (or son) normally take 1-2 trips a year. We broke 111,000 miles this trip. Crystal Red 2010 Grand Sport Coupe love it.
09-22-2018, 02:14 PM
#13
Instructor
After owning my '12 Grand Sport for a year and taking one 1000+ mile trip this summer, the most surprising about the car was the comfort. At 50+ years old (6'1, 190 lbs) I didn't think the car would be this comfortable. No issues with back or legs. Even my wife, who is not a small woman (not being ugly, just the truth), finds it to be very comfortable and easier to get out of than she thought it would be.
09-22-2018, 02:55 PM
#14
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i wasn't sure who you were directing your question to, but I thought I'd pipe in.
my record for a one day drive is 1,100 miles, Memphis to albuquerque ( as part of a 6k mile, 9 day run ).
upon completion, I was ready to do it again. I'm coming in at 6'-2" @ 300lbs and the only issue I had was leg room.
but even that wasn't a big deal. I probably should have / could have stopped more ( to stretch ), but once I'm going, I'm going.
my only tip would be to just get out and drive! these cars offer great comfort, mileage ( I reached 29.2mpg for my trip ), and performance.
my record for a one day drive is 1,100 miles, Memphis to albuquerque ( as part of a 6k mile, 9 day run ).
upon completion, I was ready to do it again. I'm coming in at 6'-2" @ 300lbs and the only issue I had was leg room.
but even that wasn't a big deal. I probably should have / could have stopped more ( to stretch ), but once I'm going, I'm going.
my only tip would be to just get out and drive! these cars offer great comfort, mileage ( I reached 29.2mpg for my trip ), and performance.
I couldn't drive that far in a Greyhound bus, sucks getting oldNSF
09-22-2018, 03:37 PM
#15
Safety Car
Agree about the bug magnet. Was cleaning windows today. Amazed at number of bugs, then got out the detailer to clean off the front bumper. Whew !!
It’s good to read these road stories, wish there were more written....
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iw172 (09-24-2018)
09-22-2018, 04:49 PM
#17
Instructor
Im planning a long trip for next year, so anything I can learn from reading about these long drives is always welcome.
please keep them coming.
Im happy to hear you had a good time and your car performed flawlessly.
please keep them coming.
Im happy to hear you had a good time and your car performed flawlessly.
09-22-2018, 11:03 PM
#20
Advanced
1,800 mile road trip observations
Did that last sentence mean you actually did drive for Greyhound? I drove out of New Orleans for 21 Yrs.
Last edited by RDG5500; 09-22-2018 at 11:04 PM. Reason: need to delete spelling error
