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Gas Prices and Summer Car Travel
by Fisher Swanson
Here are some things to consider and some tips for traveling in
the 2 dollar (or more) per gallon era.
Vacation Close to Home
The less you drive the more money you save. Chances are there
are a number of attractions in your area and possibly even campgrounds, some of
which you have never visited. By considering local recreational activities you
can cut your gas costs considerably.
Determine the Fuel Cost
Know how much the gas will cost you on the trip and be sure to
bring extra money to pay for higher fuel prices. One problem with fuel prices
going up is that everything will generally cost more. For people without a lot
of disposable income, that usually means that credit cards get used more than
usual. You can prevent that by having a good budget and a clear understanding of
how much money you have to spend. Visit http://www.homemoneyhelp.com for help in
setting up a budget.
Expect Insane Gas Prices Elsewhere
If you think gas prices are bad at home, wait until you get out
on the open road and have to fill up at a gas station in between towns. Keep in
mind that the gas price you encounter in your neighborhood could be quite a bit
less than what you pay over the course of a road trip. So when determining
likely gas costs always add at least 10 cents to the cost per gallan to account
for variations in gas prices.
Choose Your Car Wisely
Statistics show that most households have numerous cars. If
possible, drive the car that gets the best gas mileage.
Plan Your Trip
Make sure that you pick a direct route favoring freeways over
surface roads. Plot your trip out on a map and be sure to bring the map. Getting
lost is a big waste of gas!
Avoid Rush Hour
When planning your trip, factor in not only traffic in your area
but other cities you might be driving through. There is nothing worse than
getting stuck in some other city's rush hour traffic. Stop and go traffic uses a
lot of gas.
Gas Saving Tips for Road Trips
Here are some general gas saving tips for travelers:
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Maintain a constant speed.
- Use
overdrive whenever possible.
- Check
your tire pressure before leaving.
- Use
the low setting on your AC.
- Open
windows can actually cause so much drag at high speeds that they make your mileage worse.
- Drive
the speed limit.
- Make
sure your car is well maintained.
- Don't
carry any unnecessary cargo.
- Note cheap gas prices at stations as you drive to your
destination so that you can go to those gas stations on the way home.
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Fisher Swanson writes for
ThriftyFun.com. For more information visit http://www.thriftyfun.com
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