Planning a summer road trip can be exciting — until you start thinking about fuel costs. Whether you're driving your own vehicle or renting one, even small decisions can noticeably affect how much you spend on gas. With a little foresight and strategizing, however, you can keep more money in your pocket while still enjoying the ride.
Here are three ways to save at the gas pump on your next road trip:
1. Tune up before you take off. Visit a trusted auto repair shop to have your vehicle inspected. A qualified mechanic can ensure the tires are adequately inflated, change the oil (if necessary), replace critical filters and assess other potential risks. A serious maintenance problem — such as a faulty oxygen sensor — can reduce your vehicle's fuel efficiency by as much as 40%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Keep a cool head behind the wheel. Follow posted speed limits and avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration. Speeding and abrupt stops may significantly lower fuel efficiency. Also, limit idling. If your passengers need to hop out for any reason, turn off the car while you wait. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. And vehicles with larger engines waste more gas while idling than those with smaller engines — especially when the air conditioning (AC) is running.
3. Choose your rental wisely. If you're flying to your destination and renting a car, or just renting to begin with, select a model with the highest fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids will typically offer the greatest value from a cost-of-gas perspective. Of course, when it comes to EVs, bear in mind that battery range limits and availability of charging stations can make these options less practical if you plan to drive longer distances.
You can find examples of "fuel economy leaders" in the 2026 Fuel Economy Guide published by the Department of Energy (in collaboration with two other federal agencies). If you can't find an EV or hybrid to rent, or you'd prefer a gas-powered vehicle, look for fuel-efficient models that are commonly used in rental fleets. The Fuel Economy Guide also contains extensive information about these.
In addition, compare rental rates, mileage limits and insurance coverage to avoid surprises. Watch out for extra fees — such as charges for additional drivers or fuel refill policies — that can quickly increase your total cost.
With temperatures rising across most of the United States, you might wonder how hot weather affects gas consumption. Generally, it improves fuel economy. First, your engine warms up faster. Plus, hot air causes less wind resistance than cold air, and summer gasoline blends can sometimes provide slightly better efficiency.
However, there are two major drains on fuel efficiency in hot weather: 1) running your AC, and 2) rolling down your windows. Because of its high power consumption, AC reduces the fuel economy of gas-powered vehicles, particularly on short trips. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that it reduces fuel efficiency by more than 25% on hot summer days. And the effect on EVs and hybrids can be even more significant.
But rolling down your windows isn't necessarily a better option — especially at higher speeds. Open windows increase wind resistance, making your vehicle use more energy. So, using the AC when you're driving on a highway may be more efficient than lowering your windows. But try to keep the temperature as high as possible. If you're in the habit of cranking the AC and wearing a sweatshirt while driving, perhaps raise the temperature a few degrees and wear only a T-shirt.
Other energy-efficient moves include parking in the shade, investing in a sunshade and, as mentioned, avoiding idling — particularly with the AC on. For EVs and hybrids, precooling the cabin while charging can extend your battery's range.
Last, keep an eye on traffic. Today's navigation apps can be a big help in this regard. Starting and ending your daily drives during nonpeak times helps to avoid traffic jams and improve fuel economy. For example, you're likely to experience major delays if you depart on Thursday or Friday evening before the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. Staggering your departure and return dates can help save money, energy and frustration.
Fuel costs are just one dot on the map when it comes to navigating the many costs of a summer road trip. But they're an important one. By doing some research before departure and making thoughtful choices while traveling, you may be able to stretch your dollars further and reduce unnecessary spending.
Get in touch today and find out how we can help you meet your objectives.
