D
id you know that gas prices can vary up to 20 percent at gas stations just a few blocks from each other?
With gas prices reaching nearly $6 per gallon near major attrac- tions like DisneyWorld and averaging almost $4 in major cities, you’ll have to gas up smart to avoid paying far more for gas on vacation than you normally do.
Fill up your car at your local gas station, check the air pressure on your tires, and empty unnecessary gear out of your trunk before your trip. Low tires decrease fuel efficiency by 3 to 4 percent, and every extra 100 pounds of weight lowers it another 2 percent.
On the road, turn on cruise control whenever possible and use the air conditioning sparingly. Opening your car windows or sun- roof actually increases wind resistance, using more gas, so stick to the car’s natural vent system or low-level air conditioning for the most fuel efficient summer travel.
Plan both your gas and food stops before your trip to double up on savings. You’ll always pay a premium to fill up gas along the interstate. The price dif- ference for one gallon covers the extra toll to exit the interstate, so why not use the opportunity to explore local communities?
Before your trip, pick out towns or cities every 100 or 150 miles along your route, depending on how often you usually make pit stops. Check local papers or review sites like
www.Yelp.com to pick out good quality, budget-friendly restaurants enroute. You’ll get more food for less money than you would at a rest stop and skip the lines.
You can find the cheapest gas in cities all along the east coast online or from your phone with services like GasBuddy and FuelFrog. Users upload current gas prices and the database recommends the best-priced gas stations near your location. Check the prices along your route before you leave or download either app to your cellphone.
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