Are you and your family planning a road trip for this summer? Many Americans are expected to as many parts of the country have changed their COVID-19-related restrictions on in-person dining, gatherings, events, and recreation.
Road trips are generally less expensive than traveling by air, but rising gas prices could change how much you will need to budget for your vacation, especially if you’re riding in a V-8 or recreational vehicle.
AAA made reports that the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $3.04 on June 2, compared to $1.97 back in June 2020. With the all-time high for gas prices at $4.11 per gallon, which occurred in July 2008. In some states, prices are already nearing this level.
How to Lower Your Gas Costs
Here are some tips to lower your gas expenses while you are on vacation:
Get a vehicle checkup before takeoff. Before your road trip, visit the mechanic to make sure your vehicle is in good enough shape to make your travels. Make sure your tires are adequately inflated. Replace filters and change the oil. Serious maintenance problems — such as a faulty oxygen sensor — can lower your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by as much as 40%, according to the United States Department of Energy.
Follow the speed limit and drive smoothly. Speeding, quick stops, and rapid acceleration can lower fuel efficiency by as much as 33%.
Limit the idling. If the kids need to take a rest stop, turn off your car while you wait for them. Idling can get you zero miles per gallon. Note that some vehicles with larger engines waste more gas when they idle versus a vehicle with a smaller engine, especially if the air conditioning is on.
Renting fuel-efficient vehicles. If you are flying and planning on renting a car, select a model with the highest fuel efficiency. According to the fuel economy guide by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, 2021 hybrid models that get the highest miles per gallon (mpg) combined highway and city include:
- Hyundai Ioniq Blue (59 mpg),
- Toyota Prius Eco (56 mpg),
- Hyundai Ioniq Blue (55 mpg),
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue (54 mpg),
- Honda Insight (52 mpg),
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue (52 mpg),
- Toyota Camry Hybrid LE (52 mpg), and
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid (52 mpg).
Fuel efficiency isn’t limited to hybrids and plug-ins, however. If you are unable to find a hybrid to rent, try these other fuel-efficient, gas-powered models that may be used as fleet vehicles:
- Mitsubishi Mirage (39 mpg),
- Hyundai Elantra (37 mpg),
- Honda Civic (36 mpg),
- Hyundai Accent (36 mpg),
- Kia Rio (36 mpg), and
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback (35 mpg).
You also could achieve even higher fuel efficiency with plug-in electric vehicles. However, limits on the availability of charging stations and battery range can make these options less practical if you plan to drive for a longer distance.
Traveling in the Heat
With temperatures growing across the United States, you may wonder about the effects of gas consumption in warmer weather. According to the AAA, hot weather generally improves fuel economy. Why is that? First, it doesn’t take long for your engine to warm up. Also, summer grades of gasoline tend to have slightly more energy than winter grades, and warm air causes less wind resistance than cold air does.
Note, there are two major drains on fuel efficiency during the hot weather season: rolling down your windows and running your air conditioning. The AAA estimates that air conditioning can reduce a gas-powered vehicle’s fuel economy by 25% or more, especially on shorter trips. The effects on electric, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids vehicles can be even larger on a percentage basis.
Rolling down your windows isn’t always a better option than air conditioning, especially at higher speeds, As open windows can increase wind resistance, in turn causing your vehicle to use more energy. So, using air conditioning when you are driving on a highway might be more efficient than rolling down your windows, but you should try to keep the temperature as high as you can. If you are wearing a sweatshirt while driving, you may be able to turn up the temperature by a few degrees — and improve the fuel economy — by changing into a t-shirt.
Likewise, it makes more sense to invest in a sunshade, park in the shade, and avoid idling with your air conditioning on. For electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, precooling the cabin while plugged into the charger can extend your battery’s range.
Also, consider starting and ending your road trip during nonpeak times to avoid traffic jams, which can significantly lower fuel economy. For example, you’re likely to experience major delays if you depart on Thursday or Friday evening before the 4th of July and Labor Day weekends. Staggering your departure and return dates can help save money, energy, and frustration.
Outlook for Summer
Heading into summer, bookings for hotels and car rentals are much higher than last year, according to AAA Travel. The biggest drivers of recovery in the travel industry remain road trips and domestic travel.
In the near term, consumer demand is expected to keep fuel prices hovering at their current levels. But cyberattacks and other supply chain disruptions could lead to unexpected price increases. Before you leave on a road trip, plan your route and brainstorm cost-saving measures in advance.
| Which States Pay the Most (and Least) for Gas?
— Source: AAA State Gas Price Averages for 6/2/21 |
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