Casper Trip

2006_02_23-2006_02_24
Trip: Casper from Billings
Why: To watch my brothers compete in the Wyoming State Wrestling
tournament
Time of departure: 5:55pm
Estimated time of arrival: 11:00pm
Distance: 271mi
Time driving: 5 hrs
Car: Laura's 4Runner
Cost:
Gas:
Before leaving: 12.8 gal($2.14)=$27.58
@271mi: 15.8gal($2.05)=$36.40 approx 17mi/gal
@154.5 mi return trip: 8.38gal($2.10)=$17.60 approx 18mi/gal
Total cost:
$81.58
Total round trip distance:
550 mi
A mere four hour drive there and one night's free stay with my parents
in a hotel room made for a great trip. We started out leaving late
because of a meeting I had and some car oil problems. Then
approximately 3 hours later, 50 miles from Casper, the 4runner's gas
light fliped on. Being in Wyoming there was no gas station from where
we were until Casper, but Laura assured me her vehicle could make it
50 miles after the light came on. Outside the wind was howling. I
slowed down, coasted when I could, and drafted behind large trucks
trying to do all I could to maximize our gas mileage. About four miles
out of town the engine finally puttered out. Between running on fumes,
rolling down hills in nuetral, and some pushing we managed to get the
4runner about 40 yards from a gas station where borrowed a gas can to
revive the the poor gas starved car. As for the wrestling Ryan went
2-2 and robby went two and barbeque. Not the best results but they are
improving. After watching wrestling we drove back to Billings. The
return trip was no where near as exciting.