As we arrange our trips, part of the plan is how to save cash. A large part of our transportation costs could be brought down if we could save gas, so we thought now a good time to address the issue on how to economize on gas while driving. With gas costing over one buck a gallon over last year at this time, and over $4 a gallon in some places (and Europeans only wish their gas was so cheap), finding ways to economize on gas while driving is apropos.
The best way to save gas would be to get a Prius, but given that you probably wouldn't be reading this if you had, we will bypass that as number one. That aside, here are the 5 recommendations on how to save cash this summer season:
1. Pick the most effective route. When stopping a great deal, the shortest course may actually make you burn more gas. To economize on gas while driving, try to drive more at night, particularly when you're planning to negotiate a large metropolis. Personally I have saved myself significant amounts of time and gas going through Atlanta, for instance, at nighttime or the early morning previous to rush hour. In addition, there are dozens of apps that help you find cheaper places that should save gas expense. Skip the long toll-booth lines by purchasing a monthly E-ZPass, that will cover you in the Northeast to Virginia and west to Illinois. They'll save gas and time.
2. Look for cheaper gas stations. Paying out a premium price for gas at one of many chains is money down the drain. The gas is the same, and for the additive chains throw in to be able to market their product as "different" is not worth the cost difference.
3. Reduce your carrying weight and ease up on the accelerator. A car is running the least efficiently when it's accelerating, and when it is carrying the most weight. It's estimated that for each 100 added pounds the car is hauling, it's going to cost an additional 2%, which over a long trip will not save gas.
4. Make sure the tire pressure is where it should be. Among the the easiest ways to economize on gas while driving is always to monitor your tire pressure. Underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for each pound per square inch in all four tires, that may in fact add up if they're extremely low. It is quick and simple to check them using a tire gauge whenever you get gas.
5. Learn to depend on public transportation. It looks like it's a safe bet that gas prices will not ever be coming down, at least in the long run, and we may have to make a choice on how we travel, either by utilizing other sources of energy or mass transit, or both. In Europe, where gas can cost double and more than within the United States, to economize on gas has become a more pressing problem. The more people use public transportation, the more money may be dedicated to it, and the better the service will become. The investment within the countries transportation infrastructure is a necessary long-term answer to how we could all not spend as much while driving.
A closing word on persons traveling to Europe: on our website we've dedicated much information on ways to avoid wasting gas and travel expenses in while visiting Europe, from Busabout to RailEurope and European travel guides.
Author Resource:
If this article was helpful, please check out My Disney Vacation for some interesting tips on saving money on a trip to Disney World, as well as Disney World Facts . Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid traveler now living in London.