How to drive 1,418 miles on a single tank of gas

Gerdes and Bernius are hypermilers—experts who pride themselves on getting the absolute highest mpg possible. A few years ago, Mother Jones published a feature about Gerdes, in which he competed for the title of Most Fuel-Efficient Driver in the World and managed to get 59 mpg in a regular old Honda Accord.

Among the techniques used by hypermilers are: emptying the vehicle of all but the essentials to cut weight; drafting behind 18-wheelers; accelerating and turning extremely slowly; and using the brakes only when absolutely necessary. Gerdes and others can sometimes pull a vehicle to a full stop without stepping on the brakes.