How to Budget for Gas During Your Spring Break Road Trip

Regardless of how far you’re traveling, it’s always a good idea to make sure your car is in good working order before a road trip. The U.S. Department of Energy says things like low tire pressure and dirty air filters can reduce a car’s gas mileage, so make sure your car undergoes proper pre-trip maintenance.

In addition to making sure your car’s ready, it’s also a good idea to have a rough idea of how many gallons of gas you’ll need to get from Point A to Point B so you can estimate your gas costs. Online calculators are one good way to do this. For example, GasBuddy.com’s Trip Cost Calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll spend on gas by taking into account your route, your car model’s gas mileage, and gas prices you can expect to find along the route.

It’s nice to plan a few sightseeing stops along the way, but keep in mind that the further you travel off the beaten path, the more you’ll wind up paying for gas.

No matter how carefully you budget, it’s your right foot that’ll help decide how much gas you burn. Take a hint from the U.S. Department of Energy and go easy on the accelerator when the light turns green. Also, keep to the speed limit. Not only does this promote safer driving and more fuel efficiency, but it also helps prevent you from getting a speeding ticket!


James Wood Chevrolet Cadillac