I've heard it over and over – SLOW DOWN, SAVE GAS – but how much gas are we really talking about?
Over spring break, I put my gas guzzling sport utility to the test, and I'm a believer! Although, I must admit if you drive 55 m.p.h. be prepared to be the slow poke in the right lane that everyone passes and stares at!
Here are the results:
70 miles per hour = 18 miles per gallon
65 miles per hour = 20 miles per gallon
55 miles per hour = 23 miles per gallon
Let's do the math on the gas savings:
Pretend we're going on a 300 mile trip, and the premium gasoline that my sport utility loves is $4.00 a gallon!
Driving 70 miles per hour, I'll need nearly 17 gallons of gas at a total cost of $68!
If I slow down to 65 miles per hour, I'll need 15 gallons of gas at a total cost of $60!
And if I drive like a granny at 55 miles per hour, I'll only need 13 gallons of gas at a total cost of $52!
Is it worth it?
You have to ask yourself what's more important – saving time or saving money. Driving 70 miles per hour will get me to my destination 1 hour and 15 minutes faster, but it will cost $16 more. In celebration of Earth Week, why don't you slow down and enjoy the scenery on your next road trip!
Other ways to save gas without driving like a granny:
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
- Take it easy on the accelerator…you don't really have to be the first one to race ahead from the stop light!
- Instead of idling in the car pool line, turn your car off. The same goes for waiting in the line at the drive-thru!
- Choose the route that requires the least amount of stop signs and traffic lights even if it's the longer route.
- Opt for carpools.
- Walk or ride your bike whenever possible! Couldn't you walk your child to school instead of driving a mile?
- Enter your zip code at GasBuddy.com to find the cheapest gas in your area.
Just think, if gas nears $5 a gallon, we might all be driving like granny!
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