Hypermiler drives Hyundai Sonata Hybrid cross-country on 38 gallons

How’s this for a cross-country trek? More than 2000 miles on two tanks of gas behind the wheel of a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Hypermiler Wayne Gerdes drove a 2011 Sonata Hybrid 2269.3 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean averaging 59.58 miles per gallon.

What’s especially impressive about Gerdes’ feat is he did it in a hybrid vehicle, which is normally known for better fuel economy on local streets – and not the highway. The 2011 Sonata Hybrid, which goes on sale later this month, is the only hybrid currently on the market that puts more of an emphasis on highway fuel economy and that better reflects the way most Americans drive.

Gerdes, the man who coined the term “hypermiling” to describe techniques used by driving enthusiasts to maximize fuel efficiency in cars, began his journey in San Diego on December 26, 2010 and celebrated New Years Day in Georgia using only 38 gallons of fuel to cross the continent. Where I live in CT that would be about $120 or so. Not a bad price for driving cross country!

“As a fan of fuel-efficient vehicles, I enjoy the challenge of putting new technology to the test,” says Gerdes.  “This demonstration shows how the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can deliver extremely impressive fuel economy and range for drivers who value fuel savings. This is the first time I’ve driven a car that ‘does it right!’ Driving on the interstate at the posted speed limit (or 65 mph, whichever is slower), the Sonata Hybrid will exceed or equal its competition while offering a much larger, roomier, and comfortable car.”