One of the great American pastimes is the road trip. Hopping in your car and seeing different places can be an enjoyable, memorable experience. There’s a lot to plan for as you leave home and head toward your destination. One aspect you must consider is how much you’ll spend on fuel. This is a significant part of your budget, and it can get out of control if you’re not careful. The good news is there are some steps you can take to spend less and have more money for other road-trip needs.
Lighten the Load in Your Car
For any road trip, you’re going to need to bring along enough supplies and belongings. These include luggage with all of your clothing as well as food and other essentials for the excursion. But the less you pack, the less you’ll spend on gas. Heavier loads in your vehicle will cut down on its fuel efficiency. In fact, 100 pounds of gear will reduce your car’s fuel economy by 1%. Do the math, and you can see how a lot of extra weight can hamper the gas mileage. Pack wisely and take only the most important items.
Check the Tire Pressure
Driving on low tire pressure can be dangerous and unwise. You run a larger risk of having a flat tire or even a blowout on the highway. Less concerning but still a problem, poor tire pressure can affect your car’s gas mileage. Check the owner’s manual of your vehicle to see what the recommended pounds per square inch are. However, the general rule is to keep the tires at 30 to 35 PSI. It’s wise to keep a tire pressure gauge with you and to check the tires often, particularly before you leave on a road trip.
Be a Good Driver
Following traffic laws, driving courteously, and avoiding aggressive driving are beneficial in many ways. When it comes to saving money on gas, these behaviors can play key roles. Exceeding highway speed limits reduce your vehicle’s gas mileage. Sudden stopping and starting can cut down on the fuel efficiency by as much as 40%.
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Keep an Eye on Gas Prices
It can make you cringe to see gas prices on the rise. There isn’t anything you can do about this, but you can shop around for the lowest prices. Before you begin your trip, do some research and find out how much gas prices are in the states you will visit. Within those states, prices will vary from city to city. Plan to fill up the tank in those places where you’ll pay less at the pump.
Spending a lot of money at the gas station can be stressful and frustrating, especially on a road trip when you’ll need to fill up often. You can cut back on your gas budget by following these tips. It’s also a good idea to have the service team at James Corlew Cadillac in Clarksville, Tennessee, look at your car before you leave.
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