Opposites Attract Attention

"Sixty-six makes such a difference," she said, estimating that the alternatives would add at least 20 minutes each way. She said she also enjoys "being able to hop on any road without worrying what time it is."

Virginia is one of only three states to allow single-occupant hybrids to use carpool lanes. The exemption is due to expire in June, but state lawmakers could extend it.

Janowsky said she would "probably have to look into Metro" if the exemption disappears.

Some hybrid drivers say others in HOV lanes make lewd gestures at them and habitually cut them off, but Janowsky said she hasn't experienced that.

Likewise, Builta said he's heard all the stories about people throwing stuff at Hummers and giving drivers the what-for at gas stations, but he said the reaction he's gotten has been just the opposite.

"People walk up on it," he said. "A lot of kids stop and stare -- it's like a big Tonka truck."

Both proceeded without incident, or even so much as a long stare, on their commutes earlier this month.

Some of the things Janowsky said might shock drivers like Builta.

For instance, she didn't know how much a gallon of gas costs. "Maybe $2.85?" she said.

And: "It's kind of fun to sit in traffic sometimes."

Come again?

"Sometimes I get five minutes where the gas mileage is infinite," she explained. This is more or less the height of ecstasy for hybrid owners.

"The most amazing thing to me is when I go fill up the car, and I've gone 400 miles and it takes eight gallons to fill the tank," Janowsky said. "I've had a couple tanks in the 450 to 470 range. I was like 'Yes!,' " she said, raising her hands into the air.

Remember the 78 miles a gallon she got in traffic?

Builta's mileage gauge dropped to 6.6 miles a gallon when he hit a backup on Interstate 95. At that rate, Builta was paying nearly 40 cents for every mile he drove. In ideal conditions, he said, he gets about 13 miles a gallon.

Builta said he fills his 32-gallon tank about 1 1/2 times a week, at a cost of $70 to $80 a pop. He budgets $400 a month for gas.

"Everybody knows it's not like hybrids," Builta said, "but you're not buying it for the economics."