We drove from the "burbs" of Chicago, leaving on the 13th for Durango Colorado and arrived home last night and thought I'd share my feelings on my 4Runner.
Driving out west we averaged 18.8 mpg, actual. Since this was our first road trip in my 4R, I thought this wasn't too bad considering we had a head wind all the way to the Rockies. In the Rockies, I was impressed with the power the V6 had, didn't shift into 3rd gear that often and really had all the pep we needed considered we were loaded with luggage and presents.
You all I'm sure have heard about the winter storm that hit Denver and surrounding area's?
Well we left Durango to come home on Thursday, the day after the storm. Durango didn't get the snow like they did to the north and east so we headed towards Wolf Creek Pass but they were blasting the mountian for avalanches. We turned around at Pagosa Springs and headed southwest into New Mexico hoping to take I-70 through Kansas then north home. At Pueblo Colorado, I-25 was open north to Denver (finally) but I-70 remained closed. I-25 should have stayed closed but the powers to be opened it.
Folks, there are peoples homes in Denver that the snow on the roof meets the snow on the ground!
After 13 hours, made it to just north east of Denver off of I-76 and spent the night, Brighton Colorado.
Early Friday we left Brighton and I-76 was a mess! I-80 was even worse with more cars and trucks in the ditches than I ever care to see again. The mpg coming home was 21.5 actual but that was with a slight tail wind and "down hill" to home.
Bottom line is that even with the crappy Dunlop (factory) tires, this truck handled very well in the mountian passes and ice packed highways. 4 wheel drive worked great as I had to "play" with it if you know what I mean. The DAC (downhill assist control) worked very well going through the truns in the Rockies. I'm pleased with the mileage I got also.
Cons would be the VSS which would kick in every time the back wheels spun...rather annoying sound but I could shut it "off" with the center diff lock button "on".
Can Toyota make a softer windshield?!
It's rather hard to avoid salt from being kicked up from the trucks/cars ahead of you but my windshield is littered with tiny white holes from the salt.
Happy to be home but hopefully, someday Durango will be home.
Happy Holidays everyone!
2,800 mile trip to Durango
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