Here are facts and figures about MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience Professor Cliff Ricketts’ March 4-8, 2012, quest to drive coast-to-coast across the southern tier of the United States on 10 gallons of gasoline or less.

Trip details

Length of trip: About 2,532 miles
Trip start: Tybee Island, Ga.
Trip projected end: Long Beach, Calif.
Trip route: Interstate 16 in Georgia; I-75 through Georgia and Tennessee; I-24 in Tennessee; I-40 through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California; and California Route 210 West, I-210 west, I-605 south, I-105 west and I-710 south
Alternative-fuels vehicles in use: 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid, 1994 Toyota Tercel, 2007 Prius hybrid

Traveling Support team members: Terry Young, hydrogen expert, Woodbury, Tenn., and Mike Sims, electrical expert, Jackson, Mich.; MTSU agriculture students Travis Owens of Woodbury, Brett Harris of Manchester, Tenn., and Steve Foe of Murfreesboro; agriculture student teachers Hayley Box of Murfreesboro and McEwen, Tenn., and Dawn Baker of Tipton, Ind.; and Austin Peay State University student Sonya D’Archangel of McEwen

Sponsors: Tractor Supply Co. (20-plus years); Farm Credit Services of Mid-America  ($15,000 and $1,500 grants); MTSU Office of the Provost and Office of Research and the College of Basic and Applied Sciences

Media contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 (o), 615-785-1196 (c) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In the rear-view mirror

Day 1 (March 4) details
Depart from: Tybee Island, Ga., 8 a.m. ET
Destination: Murfreesboro (7:09 p.m. CT arrival)
Approximate distance: 521 miles
Alternative-fuels vehicle in use: 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid, 1994 Toyota Tercel
Fuel sources: Solar power and hydrogen from water
Amount of gas used: 0 gallons

Day 2 (March 5) details
Depart from: Murfreesboro, 8 a.m. CT
Destination: Fort Smith, Ark. (8 p.m. CT arrival)
Approximate distance: 521 miles
Alternative-fuels vehicle in use: 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid, 1994 Toyota Tercel and 2007 Toyota Prius hybrid
Fuel sources: Solar power and hydrogen from water
Amount of gas used: 0.125 gallons (Note: In the 900 miles driven from Tybee Island, Ga., to Conway, Ark., no gasoline was used)

Day 3 (March 6) details
Depart from: Fort Smith, Ark., 7:30 a.m. CT
Destination: Santa Rosa, N.M. (7 p.m. MT arrival)
Approximate distance: 610 miles
Alternative-fuels vehicle in use: 2007 Toyota Prius
Fuel sources: E95 (5 percent ethanol/5 percent gas) and electric

Day 4 (March 7) details
Depart from: Santa Rosa, N.M., 7:30 a.m. CT
Destination: Kingman, Ariz. (7 p.m. MT arrival)
Approximate distance: 511 miles
Alternative-fuels vehicle in use: 2007 Toyota Prius
Fuel sources: E95 (5 percent ethanol/5 percent gas) and electric

Day 5 (March 8 ) details
Depart from: Kingman, Ariz., 7 a.m. MT
Destination: Long Beach, Calif.  (3:15 p.m. CST/1:15 PT arrival time)
Approximate distance: 342 miles
Alternative-fuels vehicle in use: 2007 Toyota Prius
Fuel sources: E95 (5 percent ethanol/5 percent gas) and electric

Amount of gas used for total trip: 2.15 gallons

(Source: Dr. Cliff Ricketts; all times approximate)

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Oil it up: As most auto body technicians will tell you, checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked items. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine, ensuring your engine will run at peak performance. And don't forget to keep it clean. You can increase your gas mileage up to 10 percent by ensuring your oil, air and fuel filters are clean.

Fill it up: Fill up with the lowest octane gasoline possible for your vehicle. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your truck's fuel economy or performance. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year, according to the Car Care Council. The council also suggests tightening your gas cap because fuel will evaporate from your tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fill up.

Pump it up: Check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated and aligned. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage up to 3 percent. If you don't know what the right pressure is for your tires and truck, consult your owner's manual or stop in at your local tire shop.

Ease on up: It's hard to make changes, but if you really want to see increased gas mileage, it's suggested you avoid unnecessary idling, revving your engine and slamming on the brakes. It is recommended that you stop and start gently, use cruise control when possible and reduce the amount of trips you make each day.

Roll on down the road: The easiest and most rewarding step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement is to install a truck bed cover on your pickup. A truck bed cover, also known as a tonneau cover, will reduce drag, making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. There are several different tonneau cover options available on the market today.

The Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover, Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company, is an affordable and high-quality option. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck. Since the roll-up cover is lockable, it's also great for protecting your gear, all while improving the overall look of your vehicle. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling larger items. The company estimates that you can save over $200 within the first year of installing an Access Roll-Up Cover on your truck bed.

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Courtesy of ARAcontent