Nord: Thanks for the stats. I have a couple of questions, I hope you don't mind. I've been doing this since 2001, so I have plenty of experience. But, I think it is important to make improvements each time. Especially with costs increasing each year.

It appears your using less fuel that we are. What are you driving? Can you guestimate your normal mpg fuel consumption during your inbound and outbound travel? Fuel is one of the biggest expenses. Using the numbers you posted; ($391 in fuel)/(176 gallons) = that equals an avarage fuel cost of $2.22/gallon. That seems very low. Average gasoline costs on the way up, in Ontario and Quebec were roughly $1.10/Liter (3.8L/gallon=$4.18 gallon). I'm not trying to be negative at all. I'm just asking to see if there is a way I can lower my own costs.

We drive full size four wheel drive trucks and average a conservative 13mpg on the way up and back. I know some of the smaller rigs probably get better milage than we do, especially if thier running slower than we are travelling.

Again, I'm asking because I genuinely believe there is always room for improvement.

Thanks, JR