For this 64.2 MPG tank I used cruise control as much as possible.
Probably 550 of the tank's 603 miles were on cruise control at 53
MPH, driving alone.
There are very few hills in my driving; just several mild inclines.
There are a couple of large bridges that supetankers pass underneath at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
I take these at about 40
MPH uphill.
If I "drove with the load" I would never crest the bridge.
It is a LOT of trouble to keep up this mileage in the city driving I have to do.
When I actually HAVE to stop at a red light I select the lane with the most cars.
When the light turns green it is more likely there are no cars behind me so I can creep up to speed.
I roll through stop signs. etc.
I can't "drive with the load" cause I'm only going 53
MPH on the freeway.
If I slowed down on inclines I'd drop to 45 or less, very dangerous.
Even at 53 I'm pissing off the most impatient of drivers.
But when they see my license plate "SIP GAS" they almost alway change lanes immediately.
And I have no desire to speed up past 53 on the declines.
That would waste gas compared with holding it to 53.
Of course I only drive in the right-most of 4 lanes.
I never used the air conditioner on this tank.
I really am not sold on the driving with the load thing.
Remember Physics 101?
The force of gravity is constant, going up or downhill.
The way I see it whatever you lose going uphill you gain going downhill.
So, it's a wash.
I think the priority is to maintain the speed that the car's drag is optimized for, I think about 45 to 55
MPH.
It seems that this 64.2 tank is proof that just leaving it in cruise control is best.