2014+ Jeep Cherokee Forums banner

2nd ROAD TRIP - PA TO NC and back

2K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Walkingdeadfan 
#1 ·
for my 2nd significant road trip, I drove from Philadelphia PA area to Durham NC in the I4 Trailhawk...on the trip to NC, in the on and off rain that was sometimes steady and often a down pour, the TH averaged 26.5 mpg on mostly highway driving with very little gridlock. I left PA mid-morning to try to maximize driving time without traffic around Baltimore and Richmond, both areas can be difficult at certain times of day. Driving right around 65 mph for most of the trip; the mileage gauge continuously climbed from the low 20s to 26.5. It was about 70 degrees outside at departure and 66 when I arrived in Durham. Acceleration was never a problem as I consistently passed any thing I needed to get by. I am still shocked at how quiet and comfortable the ride is on the Trailhawk. It is much better than my last Jeep - a 1995 GC or my brother-in-law's 2011 Wrangler. As much as I love road trip driving, I have always needed a break after 2-3 hrs of driving/riding in a car. Not so with my Trailhawk.
Another consistent thing with driving the TH, the looks you get from other drivers. The Cherokee is still new enough that many people have only seen it in TV commercials. The TH, while shown in the commercials, is often only seen from a distance carving up a trail with dust flying behind it. It seems to still draw wide eyes from others on the road and approving looks from what I can only assume are jealous other SUV drivers who wished their trucks were as cool.
On the ride back to PA, my MPH was 70-80 for most of the trip and my mileage per gallon declined with it. I only averaged 24.5 on the trip back, but with all the road work on I95 North in Virginia and Maryland, that was to be expected. Lots of slow crawling along in traffic. One highlight of that portion of the trip, driving side-by-side with another TH - True Blue - for a portion of the gridlock. I have to admit, the blue is another great color for the TH. It looks black at times, but when the sun hits it, the blue really shines.
The purpose of my trip was to see UNC-NC State play baseball in Durham. The game was rained out, but the drive was worth it.
Next road trip- Annapolis, MD a week from Saturday to Army/Navy College Baseball. It's a Gold Star game, which means the winning team receives a Gold Star for beating their rival. Win first, sing second! Go ARMY! Beat NAVY!
...can't wait...more road trips ahead with Spring and Summer and Fall ahead...
 
See less See more
#3 ·
I too was impressed with the quiet, smooth ride on the highway in my Latitude. I came from a 2011 Nissan 370Z sports car and the road noise on the highway made listening to the radio near impossible unless it was cranked up to an uncomfortable level. In the Jeep I can play the radio at a comfortable level and carry on a conversation with a passenger at highway speeds. I like my Jeep!
 
#4 ·
JIruns --Glad you enjoyed your road trip and thanks for the information on the gas mileage from the TH. I am assuming you have the v-6 so you hit a little above the average going and just a "tad" below the estimated hwy mileage coming back. Anyhow, glad to hear how you enjoyed the comfort ride in the TH allowing you to keep on driving. Nice review on the road trip--Thanks.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top