Ernie's Aerodynamic Alaskan

Adventure

	July 1, 2004 (first full day in Anchorage) We traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Anchorage, Alaska. The car is a 2003 VW New Beetle TDI diesel with a newly-designed wing attached at the rear to the trunk lid. The wing improves fuel economy by 5% to 8% by lowering aerodynamic drag. The car was loaded with us, Ernest Rogers and grandson, Kai Rogers, and our stuff, total weight close to 500 pounds. Here we are at our final destination with relatives in Palmer, Alaska.
June 25 Left Salt Lake City, Utah at about 8 AM Traveled northward on I-15, and turned off at Rexburg, Idaho, headed for Island Park. Refueled with Biodiesel (20%) at West Yellowstone, Montana. 287 miles. 4.98 gallons of fuel. 57.6 mpg Rejoined I-15 at Helena, Montana and proceeded northward. Encountered intermittent rain and headwinds across Montana. Spent about an hour at the customs crossing, driving back and forth and around the checkpoints until we presented the right identification. Continued to a small lake near Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, after midnight. Total miles for the day just short of 700. Speed averaged was 65 mph.
	Everywhere we went, people were astonished by the mileage we got. No one had seen a car like this before, although some knew that diesel cars were around and could get excellent mileage. Biodiesel (a 20% natural oil methyl ester blend) is an excellent fuel, that showed mileage results the same as normal diesel and seemed to burn a little quieter.
We drove through about 800 miles of smoke from hundreds of fires burning throughout the western Yukon and eastern Alaska, the result of unusual, very hot and dry spring weather. Everyone up here is talking about the impact of global warming upon the environment.
	June 26 Traveled northward through beautiful farm country on Highway 2 in Alberta. Refueled in Edmonton. 751 miles. 49.3 liters (13.0 gallons) of fuel. 57.8 mpg Traveled northwestward on Highway 43, entering forest and occasional farm fields. Roads have been excellent so far. Weather clear and calm. Stopped for the day at Grande Prairie, Alberta. Total miles for the day just over 700. Speed averaged was 105 kph /65 mph.
June 27 Began early; northwestward on Highway 43 to the start of the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek. Refueled at Fort Nelson, British Columbia. 666 miles. 44.2 liters (11.7 gallons) of fuel. 57.1 mpg Continued westward on the Alaska Highway, planning to stop at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. Beyond Fort Nelson, entered mountains with steep grades and sharp turns. Lowered speed. Pavement and weather still favorable.
	About 100 miles east of Watson Lake, the sky began to fill with smoke clouds. 30 miles before Watson Lake, smoke was on the highway. We turned back a few miles to a rest stop and talked to people gathered there. Some said they had seen fires near the town and the road seemed unsafe. We stopped, expecting to camp there. Then we were told to evacuate, and that the highway would be closed at the next town to he east. At the last moment, a police car asked if we wanted to go to the west or east. We shouted, “West!” Ours was the last car to get through to the west, as we speed at 70 mph toward Watson Lake, complete with police escourts. Smoke was everywhere, but not so dense as to be a problem. We continued driving until we were a safe distance beyond, and then slept in the car for what remained of the night. Total miles for the day was about 900. Average speed was 100 kph /62 mph.
June 29 Resumed driving early, after a difficult night. Continued on to Whitehorse, Yukon. Refueled at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. 582 miles. 39.5 liters (10.4 gallons) of fuel. 55.9 mpg Smoke filled the sky, discouraging camping out in western Yukon, and on into Alaska. Beyond Whitehorse, the road surface became very uncertain and heaving of the pavement was common. Pavement was completely absent over extensive stretches where the highway was being widened or repaired. The car became covered with mud (added to the bugs), mostly from water spraying on the roads by the road builders. Frequent speed changes and stops, occasionally cars were escorted, involving long delays waiting for the pilot car. We pushed to complete most of the trip that day. Stopped at Palmer, Alaska, after a very hard driving day. Total miles for the day was 850. Average speed was uncertain.
	June 30 Completed the trip, arriving in Anchorage in the afternoon. Distance, about 50 miles—a pleasant drive after the previous days. Tank was refilled to finish the test. 699 miles. 12.6 gallons of fuel. 55.5 mpg

Total trip distance: 2,985 miles
Total gallons of fuel: 52.7 gallons
Average mileage: 56.6 miles per gallon

salon.com article
Home