Dump the Pump Day – Save Money on Gas

Everyone knows that winter holidays and school vacations are the busiest times of the year to travel. However, summertime comes with its own travel hazards, particularly for drivers. People scramble to the highways en route to beaches, lakes, boardwalks, campsites, and wherever else they choose to beat the heat. Fuel costs tend to increase during the summer as well, leading to more expensive travel costs. Today is National Dump the Pump Day, so we’re bringing you some tips to save money on gas.

On June 19, 2014,  the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and public transportation systems across the country celebrate the 9th Annual National Dump the Pump Day. Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation (instead of driving) and save money. Public transportation can be a great way to save money, but it may not be available to everyone. Today we offer motorists a few tips to help them save money on gas.

• Use the Internet – Websites such as gasbuddy.com, compare prices of gas stations in your location so you can always find the lowest price. They also have some great tools and a weekly drawing for people who send in gas prices.

• Don’t Speed – Most cars reach optimum efficiency and use the least amount of gas between 50 and 55 miles per hour. Going over this limit will decrease your efficiency and increase your fuel usage.

• Route Selection – Plan your routes with the amount of gas you will use in mind. Google map direct routes to your destination, or if you have a few stops, make sure they are close in proximity. Also, choose roads with less stop signs and traffic lights so that you won’t need to stop and accelerate as much.

• Cruise Control – While on the highway, use cruise control, which keeps your car running at a constant speed rather than speeding up and slowing down. This causes you to burn more fuel.

• A/C vs. Open Windows – If you are driving on the highway in hot weather, use your air conditioner instead of rolling down your windows. The added drag of the open windows decreases fuel efficiency more than using an air conditioner.

• Public Transportation- Using public transportation is great way to avoid the gas station. Taking the train to work helps the environment and your wallet – see how much money you can save through public transportation with the fuel saving calculator.

Try these tips to save money on gas today and every day.

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