Saving Gas on Long Trips

One thing I try to impress upon people here is that you don’t have to totally change your life to make changes that count. You can still drive to work. You can still travel if you want. It’s easier to save more emissions if you don’t, but you can be a “greener” driver without cutting the fun or privacy out of your life.

We went on vacation this week and wound up driving to Mt. Rushmore. On the way there, we enjoyed pretty good gas mileage, but I drove on the way home and saved a LOT of gas. I don’t mess with my husband’s car too much, so unfortunately I can’t give you exact stats, but a little over $100 worth.

Here are three things anyone can do on a long trip to save gas without going to great inconvenience or expense:

1) Only use cruise control on flat, reasonably straight roads. I don’t know if you’ve driven through the Black Hills, but they don’t qualify. It’s up, down, up, down and snaking curves for most of the drive. Not only is using cruise control in that situation bad on gas mileage (and on your car) but it can be a safety hazard.

2) Slow down (when it’s convenient and safe for yourself and other drivers). It’s too bad that last part has to be thrown in there, but humans can be incredibly self-centered, and thoughtless. We had a few times on our trip home where for 50+ miles, we were the only ones on our lane of the road. It’s okay to slow down in those situations. It’s less okay to go 40 mph in a 75 mph zone when you’re surrounded by other people. On the trip home, I am guessing I averaged 58 – 62 mph. No, we didn’t make the best time possible, and it wasn’t that exciting of a drive, but it padded our budget.

3) Take care of your car. Keep the tires inflated. Change the oil. Clean it out once in awhile. This is old hat, common sense stuff many of us are doing anyway. Now you have another reason to feel good about it.