Toyota Prius Reaches 93 MPG on Coast-to-Coast Guinness World Record Drive
September 13, 2024The Toyota Prius, a long standing hybrid hero, is a premiere choice for those looking to save at the pumps and now, apparently, those looking to break fuel efficiency records.
Wayne Gerdes, a hypermiler behind the wheel of the latest-gen Toyota Prius, set the Guinness World Record for highest mpg on a U.S. coast-to-coast drive this summer, reaching an impressive 93.158 mpg combined.
The 3,211.7 mile trek started at Los Angeles City Hall and ended at New York City Hall, his final efficiency easily beating out the previous record in the mid-70s. According to Toyota, the adventure routed Gerdes through a variety of conditions, including 7,000-foot elevations, the Mojave desert, and various weather conditions.
“For a record attempt like this, it’s a lot of planning,” said Gerdes. “You can’t just go sight unseen into doing this. You have to have that plan. But you also have to be able to work on the fly. So, if things change, you have to switch up your plan. Reroute. Figure out what you’re going to be able to do to achieve that goal
While we don’t expect everyone to start hypermiling the way he has, Gerdes does offer up a few tips on how to sip fuel during the daily grind: Slower acceleration from stops with even pedal modulation and easing off the gas sooner when approaching stops, for example. Our “Your Drive” pro Audra Fordin also shared some money saving wisdom, covering driving style, vehicle maintenance and more.
And since their respective debuts, we’ve covered the Toyota Prius and Prius Prime, both of which having thoroughly impressed us and the former taking a win in our 2023 Drivers’ Choice Awards. While hybrid powertrains continue gaining popularity and proliferating into the market, the Toyota Prius remains a household name and a solid choice for those looking to hop into a hybrid.