A Toyota Prius, driven by hypermiler Wayne Gerdes, has been awarded the Guinness World Record title for lowest fuel consumption driving across the U.S. from the West Coast to the East Coast.

In early summer 2024, Gerdes drove from Los Angeles City Hall to New York City Hall in a Prius LE and achieved a staggering fuel economy average of 93.158 mpg combined over a 3,211.7 mile trip. The previous record, achieved by a Kia Niro EX in 2016, was in the mid-70s mpg combined.

Over two decades ago, the Prius was introduced as the first mass-produced hybrid car and ushered in a new generation of vehicles that combine an electric motor with a high-efficiency engine to increase fuel economy.

"The Prius has impressed us all for the past 23 years, and frankly, it continues to wow us today. The world record for the highest mpg to us is just one more proof point that the Prius truly is an engineering marvel," Michael Tripp, Toyota Vehicle Marketing group vice president, said.

This effort highlights Toyota's goal of achieving carbon neutrality while giving customers and fleets the power to choose the solution that best suits their needs.

Maximizing Fuel Economy Through Various Terrain

Gerdes' journey across the country took him through various terrain and unpredictable weather. He drove the Prius up mountain elevations as high as 7,000 feet and through unforgiving places like the Mojave Desert, where temperatures exceeded 105 degrees, or through the Gulf of Mexico, where he contended with strong winds.

"For a record attempt like this, it's a lot of planning," Gerdes said. "You can't just go sight unseen into doing this. You have to have that plan. But you also have to be able to work on the fly. So, if things change, you have to switch up your plan. Reroute. Figure out what you're going to be able to do to achieve that goal."

Gerdes offers simple tips for everyday drivers to improve their fuel economy. He suggests slower take-offs from stops and keeping even pressure on the accelerator pedal. He also says that when stops are ahead, easing off the accelerator early and using the vehicle's momentum to glide approaching the stop greatly helps fuel economy.

The latest generation of the Toyota Prius hit dealerships in 2023, showcasing new exterior styling, upgraded technology, and up to an EPA-estimated 57 mpg combined. It's powered by the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System and a 2.0L engine with an output of 194 hp on the FWD drive model.