We did just over 800 miles on a long weekend trip from Memphis to St. Louis.

According to the trip computer, we averaged 77 mph (running about 85mph on the highway) and 27 miles to the gallon. I put 14.5 gallons of gas in the tank with 360 miles on the trip odometer. The TL on the open road was comfortable and responsive. X-Country channel 12 on XM radio is a fun station with an interesting mix of music.

While in St. Louis we took a day trip down Route 66. I stopped and washed the bugs off for the ride, I got the look from my wife but I was not cursing Route 66 in a dirty TL! Sunroof open and rear windows down provide a nice breeze. The TL got a lot of looks as we rolled down the “Mother Road” of America. We stopped at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and parked beside an Acura Legend, it was nice contrast. I did not see many TL’s. We did get passed by an RXS type S who was trying for low level flight, by the time I thought it would be fun trying to keep up, he was gone…

Headed back to Memphis we did not get the good gas mileage as before. I was interested in stability at higher speeds. Riding at about 85 miles an hour (the speed traffic would bear, I was not passing ever car by any means) we did 1 to 1 ˝ mile sprints at 95 miles an hours. The TL drove like it was on rails! I know we have some speed junkies on the board; I could have gone much faster, but why? I have two kids, I don’t want to go to jail, kill someone, or die…

All in all a great road trip in the TL. We passed the 10,000 mile mark and I have no complaints, except one….The next road trip is in the Van with kids, no sunroof, and no XM radio.