Gas prices have some thinking they can drive 55

Soaring cost has some slowing down; states discuss new speed limits

ALBANY, N.Y. – As other cars zipped by at 70 mph or more, Mike Papin and his wife, Joann, kept rolling along just below the 65 mph limit as they made their way from their winter home in Florida to a summer place in Vermont.

They’ve typically done six or seven miles above the speed limit during the annual migration, but with gasoline prices roaring toward $4 a gallon nationally, Joann suggested they ease off the pedal during the 1,500-mile drive this year.


“I read somewhere that around 62 or 63 was the best speed to drive to make the most of your gas,” she said.

Drivers have known for years that throttling back is a sure way to improve gas mileage, and the Papins are among those who are consciously slowing down to save. Several airlines have adopted the same tactic, adding a few minutes to flights to save millions on fuel.

But most drivers still wink at posted speed limits because they say their time is worth more than the gas they’d save by slowing down.

AP