Now that we have somewhat decent wifi I thought I would share our fuel expenses for our trip across Canada. All I can say is ouch although not unexpected. I at least upped my optimum points (Esso) and Airmiles (Shell).
Vehicle is 2017 GMC Canyon SLT diesel. Prices for diesel were comparable to gas prices, either a cent or two above or below. The good news is now that we are in BC, diesel has been 10-15 cents cheaper than gas. Haven’t seen that for a while.
Distance travelled to date: 5500 kms
Fuel costs to date: $1,347, not including the Diesel Exhaust Fuel (DEF) additive which has been about $40 but I haven’t really kept track of that, I just buy a jug now and again when at Canadian Tire.
Average fuel economy 17.6 L per 100 kilometres. All but a few kilometres pulling trailer with a canoe. Just for reference we were getting around 8L/100 kilometres in mostly urban driving.
An interesting observation for me is that the fuel economy appears better while driving through steep hills and mountains. Surprisingly, best fuel economy was Ontario and Banff/Jasper and several passes to go from Alberta to southern BC including the Kokanee pass at 17.3L/ 100 kilometres and the worst through the Saskatchewan and Alberta flat prairie at 18.9L/ 100 kilometres. No doubt caused by high cross winds and faster posted sign limits.
By far the worst main roads were Manitoba with terrible heaving from frost? We felt like we were on a roller coaster half the time. They were four lane though which is welcome from our drive through northern Ontario. Ontario has poor passing lanes through the hills past Wawa and few rest areas. Best rest areas were Saskatchewan and for us, by far, the worst are in Alberta (at least near the Saskatchewan/Alberta border). We didn’t stop at a rest area in Manitoba so couldn’t judge.
Since I keep track, just for fun, here is the breakdown ….
Ontario (Sept 1, 2018)
$75 at 1.27
$72 1.29
$56 1.39
$82 1.44
$65 1.36
$79 1.52 (past Thunder Bay)
$70 1.39 (near Lake of the Woods)
Manitoba
$68 at 1.20
Saskatchewan
$80 at 1.25
$82 1.23
$75. 1.18
Alberta
$81 at 1.27
$71 1.23
$55. 1.28
$50 1.30
$40. 1.94
British Columbia
$96 at 1.45 (Radium Springs)
$85 1.39
$65 1.34 Osoyoos (Sept 21, 2018)