Jeep Patriot cross country mileage

[dm1333]

I just recently completed a 3300 mile trip from Sault Ste Marie, MI to Fort Bragg, CA. I took a detour through the Black Hills and then Yellowstone National Park which accounts for the extra miles. I was towing a small utility trailer and had an extra 1100 pounds of stuff divided up between the trailer and what was in the Jeep.

The trip was 3308.1 miles long and I used 114.04 gallons of gas for an average of 29.008 mpg. My speeds varied from 55 mph through Michigan, Wisconson and Minnesota to about 65 through the western states. My worst tank was in the Black Hills (not towing, just sight seeing) 245 miles/9.2 gallons for an average of 26.6 mpg. While towing over two 8500 foot passes to get into Yellowstone I averaged 27.31 mpg. A good portion of that was in 3rd or 4th gear going up and then as low as 3rd gear heading down. I barely had to touch the brakes because of engine braking.

My two best tanks were in Yellowstone, 33.75 mpg, because the speed limit is 45, and leaving Yellowstone, 278.8 miles to Twin Falls on 8.7 gallons of gas for an average of 32.04 mpg.

The Jeep towed well, had good braking power and never felt overburdened by the trailer I was towing. Any lingering doubts about buying this new vehicle instead of keeping my 1996 Nissan P/U are gone now!