I'm a newbie and have done a search and didn't find any threads about this.. but if I missed one then please don't flame me

This may only be applicable to the CVTs... but I'm not sure...

For the first 300 or so miles I found that my cruise control gave me better gas mileage than I could get manually... cruising at 50mph getting around 50-60mpg, leaning closer to 50. I was lucky to cruise getting 40mpg.

Now as I get "better" at some of the techniques discussed here, I am able to consistantly keep it closer to 60mpg during a 50mph cruise.

So I assume a "good" Hybrid driver can get better mileage than cruise... but how much better... and is it worth staring at the gauge the entire time and worrying about it?

I mean, it seems like the car's computer controlling the speed would be better in the long run, plus it seems like it would be safer and a little more enjoyable driving without constantly staring at the gauge?