From X-mas Eve to New Years Day I put 2500 miles on my 4runner and just wanted to share my experience. This write-up is mainly for new owners and people who are researching the vehicle as most owners on here already know what an awesome rig they have.

We took off on December 23rd from Hollywood, FL where my family just relocated a couple of month's ago for my Wife's job. We were visiting family in the Baltimore/Washington area (1,075 mile trip up Interstate 95). My 4runner started the trip with just over 6,000 miles on it. We drove 18 hours straight through the night (a must with a 10 month old, 3 year old and 50 lb mutt in the trunk). From the picture you can see we were pretty loaded including our Yakima Skybox 16 (Santa packs lighter).

Impressions:
1. We averaged 18.5 mpg for the trip averaging 75mph. I was very happy with this since we had the carrier on top and a full load. For comparison I only averaged 24mpg with a 2012 Subaru Outback car cross-country with the same car-top carrier traveling about the same speed.

2. I have never been more comfortable driving for that amount of time straight. I drove cross country (twice) for our last family re-location from Maryland to the SF Bay area and back in our 2012 Subaru Outback. I love that car but I found the 4runner's seats much more supportive and comfortable for the long-haul. I had no fatigue and my back wasn't killing me, which is a minor miracle. The softex has really grown on me.

3. The ride was extremely quite in the cabin. Couldn't even tell that I had the carrier on and had plenty of power on the highways.

4. The 4runner always surprises me with how much you can fit in it. When packing for the ride back, looking at my dog comfortable in her crate in the trunk, all of the X-mas presents and weeks worth of stuff that you have to lug around with a toddler and 10 month old, I told my Father "This is why I don't have a Highlander".


Things I learned:

1. I really love this truck! Every mile I sit in it the more and more happy with the choice I made in purchasing this vehicle.

2. The third row is very useful (especially when visiting the grandparents). I found the most useful set-up is a 2-2-2 configuration when we only had 6 adults. Two adults up front, two kids in their car seats in the middle with the second row pulled forward as far as possible and two more vertically challenged adults in the third row. My wife and mom usually rode in the back and both are 5'5" and were fairly comfortable. One thing that helps with claustrophobia in the third row folding down the middle section in the second row (giving a more "captain's chair" feel) and removing the second row headrests to open up the cabin. With the two car seats in the second row we didn't need them. As for cargo space with the 3rd row, that's what the car-top carrier is for (strollers, bags, etc.).

3. Driving through the night is the way to go with kids. Although it hurts the next day (especially if one isn't taking a nap) it probably saved me 6 extra hours of drive time with them sleeping for 3/4 of the trip.


As I said I just wanted to share my experience. A year ago I was lurking on this site reading all of the helpful and knowledgeable information that a few months later helped me (and convinced my wife) to pull the trigger on the best car purchase I have ever made.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year!

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Great write up. We did 2000 in 7 days. Some deep snow and some highway snow. Lots of time in 4wd and 4-5 degree temps. We also had a Thule weekender box on the roof. Avg mpg 16.8 so I was happy as well. Last few years we've had an Infiniti that never broke 12 mpg.

Wish we had the snow opportunity! My daughter had a meltdown because she thought we would see cold and snow since we were driving north. Instead she just got more Florida weather in the Mid-Atlantic. Just figures the year I move from NorCal, Tahoe is getting dumped on.

Moremankev, where in New Mexico are you from? My sister in-law lives in Gallup and has been rubbing it in sending pictures every time they've gotten dumped on. Taos is supposed to be the best skiing in N. America right now!

We are in las cruces, but spent last week up near Santa Fe.