Summer is here and that means vacation season. Whether it’s cross country, along the coast, or traveling a few states away to visit family and friends, road trips are a great way to vacation. Gas prices are rising along with those summer temperatures. These tips are helpful in getting more MPGs out of each gallon of gas used so you can continue on those road trips for a while longer this summer.
12 Tips for Getting More MPGs on Summer Road Trips
Before Your Road Trip
1. Combine Your Errands
When picking up travel essentials and finishing last minute tasks before going out of town, combine errands together when possible for efficiency. Making multiple trips to different stores drags your MPGs down if you’re starting from a cold engine. In addition to the mileage drop, packing and prep time is lost getting ready for your trip because of extra trips out of the house.
2. Plan and Review Your Travel Route
Take one more look at the directions you’re using for your trip. Know what roads you’re traveling and research for any road closures by using sites like the National Traffic and Road Closure Information Site.
3. Check Tire Pressure
Keep tires inflated to the proper PSI levels. The proper PSI level amount for your vehicle will be on a sticker inside the driver’s door as well as in the owner’s manual. Under-inflated tires lower gas mileage around .2% for every 1 PSI below your vehicle’s specified amount for all tires. Keeping tires at proper levels can improve mileage anywhere from 0.6% – up to 3%.
4. Pack Light
Take the items you need but also treat your trip like a flight and keep bags and travel gear light in weight when possible. The more weight your car is carrying, the less mileage it’s going to get.
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While on the Road
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5. Take the Road Less Traveled
Avoid peak traffic times on your road trip and opt to travel during quieter travel hours. Stop and go traffic reduces mileage as well as the patience of the driver.
6. Avoid unnecessary idling
When the car isn’t in motion and on it’s still burning gas. Turn the car off when you make pit stops or when traffic is at a complete standstill.
7. Drive the Speed Limit
On average, you MPGs start decreasing the faster you’re moving beyond 50 MPH. Slowing down helps increase your mileage 7%-14%.
8. Try Cruise Control
Using cruise control will keep your speed in check and save gas at the same time. Cruise control allows you to save fuel by giving the engine the fuel it needs to maintain the set speed as opposed to constant adjustments made by the driver. When using cruise control, remember to only use it if road conditions allow it to be used safely.
9. Avoid Aggressive Driving
This can be a tough one for some people. Myself included. However, the calmer you stay while driving the more efficient you’re driving and fuel usage will be. Constant speeding up, jumping on the gas from a red light, breaking hard and riding the brake to only speed up again irritates you as a driver and decreases your MPGs. In the words of the motivational poster “Keep Calm and Carry On”.
10. Be Aware of How You Use the A/C
I agree that the air conditioner is a must in hot summer months but use it wisely. If the temperature is comfortable, support the fresh air initiative and crack the windows. When you use the air conditioner be sure to set it for recirculating the air. Instead of bringing in hot air from the outside continually, the car is going to cool the air it already has again, which allows fuel to be used more efficiently.
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Additional Options
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11. Use a Fuel Brand (BP, Shell, ExxonMobil) or other credit card for gas purchases
Fuel credit cards rewards its card holders by giving cents off amounts per gallon of gas for using their cards. Credit cards also have rewards programs so while you are not saving money at the pump you are getting cash back or rewards points for that specific card. This is a good option when you pay these charges in full at the end of the statement. If gas charges only add to the balance and interest you already owe then you should opt for another method of saving.
12. Use Phone Apps and Websites to Help
- Gasbuddy – Gasbuddy is a free app I use. You enter your city or zip code and it pulls up gas prices in that area. Once you enter the location you can sort more specifically for things like grade and brands. Learn more about Gasbuddy here.
- iExit – iExit is also free. This app is great for road trips. It shows you where you can stop by exit number for less expensive gas when traveling along major interstates. In addition to gas prices, you’ll find restaurants and other amenities listed in the app.
- AAA – When researching your trip AAA shows what the average price for gas is by state. It won’t save you any money but will give you a heads up on what pricing will be when you get to your destination.
In the end, all road trips have a destination and you’re going to need some dinner to refuel yourself. Click here for some saving tips on your vacation meals.
