RESUME SPEED, Wyo. — OK, so this isn’t a real place.
It’s a term I use to describe remote locations anywhere in the United States of America.
But today it more or less symbolizes a trend across much of the western United States — and it is a trend to which I am getting used.
Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Idaho are just four western states that allow motorists to drive 80 mph on interstate highways. Part of the rest of the story is that I’m getting accustomed to it.
My wife and I have been flying low across some of these highways in recent days. Allow me to add that we’re doing this in a little bitty car, a Toyota Prius.
Before you chuckle, I’m going to add that the Prius — in the words of ol’ Dizzy Dean — can “pick ’em up and lay ’em down.” It moves … quickly.
We’ve enjoyed our time on the road, partly because we can get to our destinations more quickly than we could when speed limits were a “mere” 70 mph, let alone prior to 1995 when they were posted at 55 mph.
It’s taken me some time to get used to these speeds. But I’m there.
Part of my justification for driving so quickly is that the Prius is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles in existence. We’re averaging close to 50 miles per gallon on our journey, which is a lot better than virtually every other family car on the road today.
Back in the 1970s, when gasoline prices spiked after the infamous oil embargoes, Congress slowed everyone down to 55 partly to conserve fuel. Since then automakers have done a lot better job of manufacturing fuel-efficient vehicles. My wife and I own one of them.
So that gives us carte blanche to give the all-clear “flaps up” signal when we hit the road.
By golly, it’s rather fun getting places lickety-split.
I also drive a Prius. I also drive a Volt. That makes our Prius the “gas hog”. We use the Prius for our road trips. The two vehicles get about the same mileage on the road, but I don’t have to plug the Prius in.
I haven’t experienced an 80 mph speed limit yet. I have driven 80 on the interstates with a 75 limit and people pass me. Yet it feels good, even invigorating, to drive that fast. If I am traveling long distances, I will go as fast as it is allowed. If I am traveling shorter distances, say 50 miles, I will drive my age, or about 61, and my gas mileage in the Prius will regularly be around 55mpg. As old as I am, I am typically not in a hurry and the time I would save by driving 75 is negligible, unless I’m looking for a bathroom. If I find one, by the time I park the car, hobble into a place with a public restroom available, do my business, wash my hands and return to my car, any time I saved by driving faster is wiped out. It’s a push. So, if it’s a short trip, I’ll drive a little slower and save some gas. Sometimes that’s invigorating. Prostate be damned!
Agreed that the Volt makes the Prius looks like a gas-guzzler. My Prius is still pretty efficient … and quite quick on the highway. Thanks for the comment.