Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, American consumers have focused their travel on the open road and wide-open spaces. And though more countries are opening up their borders for U.S. citizens, tens of millions of them are continuing to opt for domestic road trips
instead. But with national gas prices higher than we can believe, how can we still afford
a family road trip this summer? Jerry
, your favorite super car app
, breaks it down. Wanderlust despite inflation
Rethinking driving across the Southwest to that family reunion? Canceling half of your college tours back East? We feel you.
As spring is coming to an end, many of us are also itching to go explore national parks and historical monuments across the country this summer. The American Automobile Association (AAA)
advises travelers to start to plan their trip now, as they do not anticipate a price dip in gas prices anytime soon. AAA conducted a survey of more than 1,000 American travelers, and according to Travel Pulse
, “52 percent of them said they would take a family vacation during the summer—and 58 percent of those said they would adjust their itineraries if gas prices continued an upward trajectory and made it cost-prohibitive.” Even vacation rental site Vrbo is seeing a 15% uptick in bookings. While Californians are sure feeling the burn of the high price of gas, the rest of the country is also experiencing the financial burden.
NBC News
notes that “Gas prices, when adjusted for inflation, are expected to average $3.84 a gallon for regular this summer, the highest level since 2014, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, an independent research organization.”What to do before your road trip
Embarking on a long road trip requires lots of planning, and fortunately, there are some things you can do to save money before you hit the road.
It’s important to make sure you’re keeping up with your car’s maintenance throughout the year, and especially before your vacation. Not only will this help prevent any unexpected hiccups during your trip, but your car will actually get better gas mileage.
Inspect your tire pressure before you leave by making sure they are properly inflated. Believe it or not, this decreased fuel consumption as well as helps avoid tears or blowouts.
Especially when traveling in the summer, you want to keep your vehicle cool and fresh. Consider changing out your air filters to ensure you’ll get the maximum benefit from your car’s AC.
Credit card deals and discounts can also save you at the pump. Some credit card companies like Discover offer cardholders 5% cash back on purchases made in the summer months.
You can also sign up for a credit card that is specifically devoted to gas
, or a club that involves a reward system with your local gas stations. And don’t forget that some stations could shave off 10 cents per gallon if you go inside the store and pay with cash. And before you’re running on data instead of your home wi-fi, download gas apps that will make your search for cheap gasoline much more efficient.
AAA members can enjoy the AAA Mobile, while the Geico and Waze apps will guide you to stations with the most affordable prices. Other apps that can help save you money include Gas Buddy and Gas Guru, which also comes in handy when trying to locate a car wash or ATM.
What to do on the road
When you’re feeling free on the open road, make sure not to stop at busy gas stations off major highways. Stations right along the interstate tend to jack up their rates because of their convenient location.
However, if you’re in a pinch, use the closest gas station you can find—just don’t 100% fill up your tank. It’s best to always have at least a quarter tank of fuel in your car at all times, and certainly to get you to the next closest gas station with affordable prices.
Excess idling can also burn your gas fast. According to CNN
, “Even in winter, you don't need to ‘warm up’ the car. If you're going to be idling longer than 60 seconds, cut off the vehicle.” Avoiding construction zones is also a good idea, as well as aiming to drive cautiously and carefully. Quickly accelerating or slamming on your brakes will empty your tank much faster. Unless the road is slippery, using cruise control is also a good option for your wallet and gives your foot a break.
It’s also important to drive steadily within the speed limit. CNN notes that according to Edmunds, “You get about 14% fuel savings if you stay at a steady 50 miles per hour.”
Obviously, some roads will require you to drive much faster, and in this case, consider taking the scenic route instead. It might even be more fun and lead to unexpected pit stops like the Cabazon Dinosaurs in the Southern California desert. #adventure
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