Trying to eke out the best mileage whilst in a major city proves difficult. Trying to get the best mileage possible while on the Strip in Las Vegas proves downright impossible. No matter, as my car has Oklahoma plates and I’m in the biggest tourist destination in Nevada. So I consign myself to appear confused and lost as I trundle down to the Mandalay Bay for their awesome buffet.
I discovered an incredibly important part of urban hyper-miling: timing the lights. If you hold a steady 30 – 33mph down the Strip, barring any heavy traffic, you can cruise the entire thing without slowing down. Really. I did this once, on a Wednesday Morning, much to my chagrin. Try it any other time, especially when the Los Angeleans in their shiny BMW’s and Mercedes-Benz CLSs show up, and you’d better get used to start-stop, clutch in-clutch out style of driving. No matter, I discovered the best way to conserve gas in this manner: walking. Plus, walking from casino to casino burns off those extra calories you accumulated in the pastry section of the buffet.
And while walking, you notice a lot more things about Las Vegas, namely the sheer number of high-end car dealerships. Penske Ferrari in the Wynn Hotel (where I’m staying) has quite the selection. The manager was not in yesterday, so cross your B&B fingers in hopes they will let me take out the 430 Scuderia at a later date.
However, there are several used car places with slightly loved vintage Italian steeds of menace. For example, one 1985 Ferrari 328. They were willing to let me take it out on the side streets for a bit in the name of journalism. However, one snag destroyed that plan: Italian reliability. Various electrical gremlins wreaked havoc with the silver bullet, and no amount of jumper cables were going to solve that problem. Oh well, at least now I can sell a few carbon credits.
.75 Gallons diesel used while in Las Vegas
37 miles driven in Las Vegas
49mpg while in Las Vegas
13 Starbucks Soy Mocha Lattes drunk
$67.00 won
8 “working girls” spotted
1 Broken Ferrari 328
A Ferrari in poor man’s grey?
I live in Las Vegas. There isn’t any reason to drive on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Unless you want to be seen driving a Ferrari down Las Vegas Boulevard.
We really like you touristy types. You pay our taxes for us and give us jobs. Just keep yourselves on The Strip and all will be well.
I always see lots of cars interesting cars on the strip .I’ve never got behind the wheel in Vegas.Two reasons fear and beer.
This might sound dumb but where to hell does one park?Do the hotels throw in parking?Is it secure?I
mean I see all these high end vehicles.I just can’t imagine parking can be safe and free?
Two words leaped out at me in the above piece: “awesome” and “buffet.” No.
I agree about the walking on the strip versus driving. Better people watching that way anyhow. You would be surprised how many miles you can walk off doing that.
Funny. I’ve never spotted a “working girl” in Vegas. Maybe I don’t know what one looks like.
You’re new to the Green Wave?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_wave
Fun read (aside from “the sliver bullet”).
It’s been years, but on a business trip to Vegas, not only did I see “working girls” I was propositioned by two of them (together). Considering I didn’t gamble, it was probably the only memorable part of that trip. Even though I turned them down.
When I see a Ferrari in traffic, it is usually on a ramp truck.
Eggsalad, how do you like living in Las Vegas? I have considered it for my near future.
Ahh…memories of Red Flag trips flood and haunt my memory as I read this! You know what I mean…since we were normally the DDs for the trips.
Don’t pass up the Nine Fine Irishman pub in the New York New York!
Good luck on the drive!
The first time we went to Vegas, it was December and the phone company was on strike. They had glitter on their picket signs.
Mbella:
Living in Las Vegas is like living anywhere else. It is what you make of it. I like it swell here, others think it’s a filthy cesspool.
Mandalay Bay, eh Mike? I always like Bellagio and Wynn buffets.