Last month, this Australian couple crushed their own fuel efficiency record when they ended their 9,505-mile trip across the United States in Ashburn, driving a Volkswagen Jetta and getting a world record 67.9 miles per gallon. Just last year, they made the same drive and set a record with 58.8 mpg. The difference, they said, was better weather and their tires. The feat was recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records.

What made you try this again?

Helen: We were challenged by Goodyear to use their new Fuel Max tires and took them up on it. The tires made a big difference, but there were others as well.

John: We had fewer head winds, and we weren’t pounded as much by rain.