I drive about 23 miles each way to work from ashbourne area to citywest. I have 2 options, take the N2/M50 or take the back roads (ratoath, dunboyne, liexlip, celbridge etc).
As an exercise I took the back roads for one week and took the M50 for a week. I have a computer thingy in the car that gives me average mpg until I reset it. For the 2 weeks I averaged 32mpg using the M50 and 24mpg using the back roads (probably as a result of constant breaking/accelerating from lights/hills/sharp bends).
Heres the maths bit...
according to google. 1 US gallon = 3.79 litres
1.10 euro a litre = 4.169 euro per gallon.
Back roads: 46 miles /24 mpg * 4.169e per gallon = 7.99e per day on fuel
M50: 46 miles / 32mpg * 4.169e per gallon = 5.99e per day on fuel
So while I pay 3.60 on tolls, I save 2 euro per day on fuel taking the M50. Do those figures look right? If so, the actual daily cost on the M50 is 1.60e (tolls minus fuel saving) but I gain 40 minutes and we all know time is money so verdict is to take the M50.
Other factors
Less stress on the car with the better roads on the N2 and the M50, this may pay off in the long run with lower maintenance costs.
Less stress on me taking the N2/M50, theres very little driving stress on those roads.
Opinions? Am I missing anything?
As an exercise I took the back roads for one week and took the M50 for a week. I have a computer thingy in the car that gives me average mpg until I reset it. For the 2 weeks I averaged 32mpg using the M50 and 24mpg using the back roads (probably as a result of constant breaking/accelerating from lights/hills/sharp bends).
Heres the maths bit...
according to google. 1 US gallon = 3.79 litres
1.10 euro a litre = 4.169 euro per gallon.
Back roads: 46 miles /24 mpg * 4.169e per gallon = 7.99e per day on fuel
M50: 46 miles / 32mpg * 4.169e per gallon = 5.99e per day on fuel
So while I pay 3.60 on tolls, I save 2 euro per day on fuel taking the M50. Do those figures look right? If so, the actual daily cost on the M50 is 1.60e (tolls minus fuel saving) but I gain 40 minutes and we all know time is money so verdict is to take the M50.
Other factors
Less stress on the car with the better roads on the N2 and the M50, this may pay off in the long run with lower maintenance costs.
Less stress on me taking the N2/M50, theres very little driving stress on those roads.
Opinions? Am I missing anything?