Though gas prices where I live in Raleigh have dropped almost 40 cents over the past month, the era of higher prices is most likely here to stay. Nevertheless, there are numerous things drivers can do to save gas and maximize their miles per gallon. Two of the biggest changes drivers can make relate to how they drive: traveling at lower (or the posted) speeds, and accelerating and braking smoother.

Driving on the interstate can often be a harrowing experience, but I’ve actually noticed less of a frenzied pace on I-40 than I used to. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think more and more drivers are realizing that reducing their speed just a little can translate into big savings at the pump. According to a CNN Money article, gas mileage for most cars decreases exponentially over 60 mph. For every 10 mph faster, fuel economy is reduced by 4 mpg. So if your SUV only gets 24 mpg on the highway to begin with, remember that it could be as little as 20 mpg if you’re going 70 or higher.

Aggressive driving, like accelerating and braking faster than necessary, can also waste gas and money. If your light turns green, but you see the light a block away is red, why peel away only to have to slow down again? Fueleconomy.gov reports that aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by about 5% around town; a Consumer Reports study said that starting and stopping rapidly lowered a Toyota Camry’s mileage by 2-3 mpg. While you don’t need to crawl away from traffic lights or stop signs, a smart move would be to look down the road to anticipate potential slowdowns. So whether you’re driving around town or taking a road trip, there are actions you can take to squeeze more miles out of your gas tank. Driving a little slower and less aggressively will go a long way.

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Tags: Auto News, General Auto, travel //