Toyota Prius: Hypermiling Into the Record Books
The Toyota Prius, already well-known as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles you can buy anywhere, has achieved a new world record for fuel economy during an epic cross-country drive. “Hypermiling” enthusiast Wayne Gerdes was recently awarded the Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption driving from the U.S. west to the east coast. Driving a stock Toyota Prius, Gerdes achieved an incredible 93.158 miles per gallon combined – smashing his previous record of 70-plus mpg.
From L.A. to New York Through the Heart of America
Gerdes set the new world record by driving from City Hall in Los Angeles to City Hall in New York City – a total distance of just over 3,211 miles. His cross-country journey took Gerdes and his Prius across the Mojave Desert, and he faced strong winds along the Gulf of Mexico. The Prius even tackled a 7,000-foot mountain climb, and faced temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. Through it all, the Prius still achieved great efficiency – far better than the 56 mpg the EPA estimates it will achieve on the highway in normal conditions.
"For a record attempt like this, it's a lot of planning," Gerdes said a statement released to media. "You can't just go sight unseen into doing this. You have to have that plan. But you also have to be able to work on the fly. So, if things change, you have to switch up your plan. Reroute. Figure out what you're going to be able to do to achieve that goal."
How To Maximize Efficiency
Achieving over 90 mpg required, Gerdes says, an unconventional driving style. Not only did he accelerate slowly away from stops, but he was extra-diligent about keeping even pressure on the accelerator pedal. He would also ease off the gas pedal as early as possible, anticipating stop signs or red lights – making the most of the vehicle’s momentum to “glide” along for as long as possible without using any fuel. Of course, hypermiling also includes driving at or below the speed limit, which also improves fuel economy.
While reaching the levels of economy Gerdes accomplished during his cross-country trip may require more patience and anticipation than most of us have the same techniques Gerdes used in his Prius can be adapted to get better economy in our day-to-day driving. Accelerating gradually instead of aggressively, driving smoothly and at slightly lower speeds, and anticipating stops by looking ahead and using the vehicle’s momentum can help you achieve better economy without a lot of effort.
Toyota Prius: A History of Exceptional Economy
The Prius has a 20-plus year history of helping everyday drivers save a lot of fuel. Along with the original Honda Insight, it helped to usher hybrid vehicles into everyday life – bringing together an electric motor with a small, highly efficient gasoline engine to increase fuel economy without requiring drivers to make any adaptations to their driving routines.
Since its debut in the U.S. market in the year 2000, the Prius has helped Toyota become synonymous with hybrid technology. Now, Toyota offers hybrid versions of most of the vehicles it sells, in almost every segment from compacts like the Prius right up to huge pickup trucks like the Tundra, which now has a hybrid V6 engine instead of a V8 powerplant. The very popular Camry is the first Toyota, after Prius, to go hybrid-only for 2025.
Conclusion: The Hypermiling Champion
Of course, Prius is still Toyota’s flagship hybrid. In basic form, like Gerdes’, it has a 2.0-liter engine and Toyota’s reliable hybrid system. Total system output of the front-wheel drive model is 194 hp, and it will get up to 57 mpg combined. Now, you also have the choice of all-wheel drive, and a plug-in hybrid Prius Prime with decent all-electric range as well.
While you might not want to drive across the country like Gerdes did, hypermiling all the way, a Prius has always been, and still is, a great way to save a lot on your gasoline bills.
