An economy car may get 3 times the gas mileage of that 87 Suburban. I rented a 2013 Ford Focus when my wife and I flew out to Phoenix and toured a couple years ago. It had a direct injected 2.0L engine and was really good on gas. I didn't check it but it must have been getting 35 to 40 mpg. I think the direct injection was what made it so fuel efficient. I don't like the transmission in those Focuses and I've read they are problematic, but it was comfy and like I said the mileage was phenominal.
Actually we rented a 2.5L Jetta from Phoenix to Vegas and the Focus when we left Vegas. The Jetta really impressed us but the fuel mileage was not as good as the Focus. They were close in other areas, comfort, performance, ergonomics, but we liked the Jetta best. The 2.5L 5 cyl engine is no longer available in the Jetta. It was replaced by a turbo 2.0 I think.
Anyway, I'm very happy that you are home safely and are back to plan your and your family's future!!!!!!