Gas prices have been hitting record highs lately, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid your car -- or a fun road trip -- this summer. According to cnnmoney.com guru Peter Valdes-Dapena, “Taking vacations locally would make the most sense financially.” Here, Valdes-Dapena suggests a few ways to get the most out of your miles.
Choose your automobile and accoutrement wisely
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Before you opt for a Mini Cooper over your Jeep, if you’re packing a lot for your trip, it actually makes more sense to use a car with more trunk space. “Avoid packing stuff outside the car; it totally wrecks your fuel economy,” Valdes-Dapena advises. In fact, loading up roof racks and attaching items to the back of a smaller car can actually reduce fuel economy by up to 21 percent.
Go regular
Check your owner’s manual to see which type of gas your car requires. If the manual says regular is okay, go for it! If it says premium gasoline is “recommended” but not “required,” you can still fill up with regular. All that will be lost is a slight amount of peak power -- but how often do you find yourself putting the pedal to the metal anyway? “Bottom line: There are very few cars that ordinary people buy for which premium gasoline is required,” Valdes-Dapena says.
Use cruise control
When driving over even terrain at a constant speed, like on a highway, using cruise control at 77 mph can improve fuel economy by up to 15 percent, according to edmunds.com. “Take your foot off the gas just a little bit and let some of the cylinders turn off -- you’ll keep going at the same cruising speed, and you’ll save gas,” Valdes-Dapena explains. Just remember that cruise control isn’t appropriate on hilly terrain or in inclement weather.
Slow down!
Believe it or not, going too fast wastes gas, even when you’re driving at a constant speed. According to Consumer Reports and edmunds.com, each 10 miles per hour faster driven while on a highway will reduce your fuel economy by 15 to 20 percent. Staying within the recommended speed limits will also help you avoid a costly ticket.
Lay off those pedals
The logic is quite simple: “It’s called the ‘gas pedal’ for a reason -- when you press on it, you use more gas.” Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste a surprising amount of gas; they can cut fuel economy by up to 25 percent.
Using the A/C is not verboten
Tests have been fairly inconclusive as to whether or not using air conditioning has an impact on fuel economy. Driving with your windows down on the highway can be dangerous due to noise and road debris, so roll those windows up and enjoy the gift of artificial cooling. Everyone in the car will thank you.
Avoid traffic
Idling in traffic wastes a lot of fuel, so try to travel when others aren’t. Always bring a map or GPS system with you so you can quickly locate alternate routes should you find yourself stuck in an unexpected jam.
Final Thoughts
Consider a hybrid. Hybrid SUVs, like the Ford Escape, allow you to “get the utility of a larger car with better fuel economy,” says Valdes-Dapena.
To figure out your budget for your road trip, remember to factor in how far you plan to drive, whether or not the drive is longer than one day and will require a hotel stay, your car’s predicted fuel economy (which can be estimated on fueleconomy.gov), and your tolerance for being in a small space with your spouse for many hours at a time.
And when you finally hit the road, the most important things to remember are: “Keep your eye on the speedometer, cruise as much as you can, and take it easy on the gas pedal.”
-- Lauren Le Vine
See More: Travel for Two