Non Turbo Travel Times Out West

[Lin]

We are planning a trip to the Four Corners area this month.  Google Maps shows the travel time to be 4+ hours from Joshua Tree to Flagstaff.  Of course, they are estimating that for a car keeping up with at least the speed limit.  I always add an extra 20% for figuring the bus travel time.  However, this trip involves increases in altitude up to 7000 feet, so I am wondering if even adding 50% to the Google estimate would cover it.  What has been your non turbo experiences with this?

[Astro]

I found in my recent journey that an added 25% worked well for me.

[luvrbus]

I would use 50% Lin once you leave Needles it all up hill to Flagstaff,I would need to figure the hp for you but you will be down 50+ hp with the 8v71 N/A by Flagstaff fwiw not only the climb but the headwinds are a killer.If you use I 10 to I 17 it is still a long slow climb

[edvanland]

Then when you get on 89A out of flagstaff it is also up hill. I agree add 50 % and if you make it faster all is well.

[DoubleEagle]

I hope you have an automatic, if you have a 4 speed Spicer you might be spending a lot of time in second gear. At least you will have time to see the scenery, and your cooling system will get tested.

[Dave5Cs]

Lin my Navigator ran the numbers and she says 4 hours by car is 5 hours and 12 minutes by Bus Avg time.

[luvrbus]

Lin my Navigator ran the numbers and she says 4 hours by car is 5 hours and 12 minutes by Bus Avg time.

Dave he cannot drive from Needles to Flagstaff in 5 hrs and 12 minutes   

[Ed Hackenbruch]

During the years that we had the bus i figured out that overall we would average going 50 miles in an hour no matter what our speed was. When you encounter hills, wind, traffic, towns, and fuel stops it affects the miles you make good.  It got to where i would figure out how many miles we were going to go each day and if i divided it by 50 i could come pretty close to how many hours it would take us to get there.   

[muldoonman]

 

Dave he cannot drive from Needles to Flagstaff in 5 hrs and 12 minutes   

210 miles in 5 hours can't be done?

[windtrader]

Humm. Here is a trip calculator showing the route and elevation. Going from 500 to 7300 ft over 230 miles along pretty straight roads. That is an average of .56% grade. If this is a clear road it sure seems even an old bus can do 55.

Following link shows map
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wi2wzglcxz0xe21/needles-flagstaff.png?dl=0

[luvrbus]

Humm. Here is a trip calculator showing the route and elevation. Going from 500 to 7300 ft over 230 miles along pretty straight roads. That is an average of .56% grade. If this is a clear road it sure seems even an old bus can do 55.

Following link shows map
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wi2wzglcxz0xe21/needles-flagstaff.png?dl=0

Not going to happen on that route 

[windtrader]

Oh wise one, care to share a bit more?   

[luvrbus]

It's all up hill and the engines heat in a hurry you might average 30 mph in a old bus on a cold day from Needles to Flagstaff

[Dave5Cs]

Clifford talk to my Nav she is always correct. She also cooks my food!...

Don our Bus and a lot of others only go full bore up hills 7% grades at 27 MPH and Blinking all the way....

[windtrader]

I get slowing way down on a grade at least in single digits but I'm hoping any bus can run at freeway speeds on a .5% grade. Yes, that is POINT 5. But who am I to argue against you grizzled busnuts.