As you are probably aware the actual sand conditions and traffic affect fuel usage the most.
We've also crossed the Simpson lots of times in the last forty years (last weeks trip was the 30th out there), as time has passed, traffic has increased and tracks have become more meandering and slower, the days of 2 days from Birdsville to Oodnadatta in 2wd are no longer. Where once a three to four day crossing was easy now it is probably better to allow 5-6 and take your time as it can be very rough and slow even on the rig road where most of the travel in the swales is corrugated beyond belief.
Travel after rain is always best as the sand is damp and sticks together better making it firmer, the same reason it is better to get going early and travel while it is cooler as it is also damper, the dunes get much harder late in the day as the sand warms up and traffic digs it up.
Also try to avoid crossing in school holidays and before and after the big events like the Birdsville races, Big Red concert and the Finke race.
A trip the week before the Finke a couple of years ago saw up to 80 vehicles a day heading west on the French line between Poeppels corner and the Knolls track so a true desert experience is nigh on impossible.
Currently the only eastern access is via the top crossing of Eyre creek or the Warburton crossing and up K1 so allow enough fuel for the extra distance.
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