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Trip Calculator

Trip vehicles, step 1 of 2. select one or more vehicles..

You can add, edit, and remove vehicles at any time.

You can edit vehicles to personalize the MPG and fuel prices.

In Step 2, you will enter the trip details including starting point, intermediate stops, and destination.

Enter the Trip

You will be able to modify the route by dragging the route line on the map.

The Trip Vehicles section above will be updated with the cost of fuel for the trip.

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This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE and the U.S. EPA.

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Today’s AAA National Average $3.506

Price as of 7/8/24

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Fuel Cost Calculator

This calculator can estimate fuel cost according to the distance of a trip, the fuel efficiency of the car, and the price of gas using various units.

Related Gas Mileage Calculator | Mileage Calculator

The price of gas may go up or down, but it's always a major expense for most drivers. The average American driver spends about $3,000 per year on gas, according to the American Automobile Association. Some of the practical ways to reduce fuel costs are listed below.

Use public transportation

Walking or biking does not consume fuel, and as such does not accumulate fuel cost. In most cases, public transport alternatives to cars such as buses, trains, and trolleys are viable options of reducing fuel costs. Due to the communal nature of ride sharing, the fuel costs of operating public transport are generally less than the fuel costs associated with each individual operating their own vehicle. In some places, public transport is free. Considering the costs associated with owning or renting a car creates even more incentive to use other modes of transportation.

Also known as car sharing, carpooling is the arrangement between two or more people to travel to a shared destination in a single vehicle. Although a heavier car consumes slightly more fuel, it is usually much more efficient than two people driving separate cars towards the same destination.

Use a more fuel efficient vehicle

Driving a smaller car makes a great difference – the fuel cost is about half for a small sedan than for a very large SUV. Similarly, drive with a less powerful engine than you need. Don't pay for an eight-cylinder engine when four cylinders work just fine. Unless you're hauling heavy loads on a routine basis, the extra cost of a bigger engine results in more money spent on gasoline.

Tune the engine

A properly tuned engine maximizes power and can greatly enhance fuel efficiency. But tuning the car engine is often done to increase horsepower – that's not the way to save on fuel. Make sure the tuner gets the message.

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent – this amount will vary depending on the nature of the repair.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Placing ornaments and ground effects, aerodynamics kits, and airfoils, such as deck-lid spoilers, may make you feel good, but they also increase the car's drag and make it require more fuel. Such accessories offer no real handling enhancements, although they may look nice on your car. Also, place signs or cargo on the roof so that the object angles forward. This will reduce the frontal area of the object, and it will cause less drag, and cause you to use less fuel.

Adjust tires

Make sure the tires are inflated to the right levels. Properly inflated tires can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3 percent. Your tires also lose about 1 PSI per month, and when the tires are cold (e.g., in the winter), their pressure will decrease due to the thermal contraction of the air. It is recommended to check tires at least monthly, preferably weekly. Having properly inflated tires will also help you avoid uneven wear on the tread.

Gas stations don't always have accurate equipment for this purpose. Sometimes gas stations use automatic air compressors that stop at a pre-determined level. To make sure you inflate to the right level, double-check pressure with your own gauge.

Recommended inflation pressures are for cold tires; put about 3 PSI more in if the tires have been driven on a while. Inflate to the pressure recommended by the car manufacturer, not to the level stamped on the tire.

Use the correct motor oil

Gas mileage will improve by 1 percent to 2 percent if you use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can reduce your gas mileage by a considerable amount. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Plan trips carefully

There is no more obvious way to save gas than to drive a shorter distance.

Plan your route carefully. With today's GPS route planners, it's easy to calculate a straight route with the fewest stops and diversions. It is also possible to judge which route will have the least traffic. Take highways instead of local routes or city streets when possible – the steady speed maximizes fuel efficiency.

When driving in a city, try to park in a central location, and then walk from one appointment to another, or take public transportation. Ragged stop-and-go city driving is terrible for your gas mileage. This also saves the high level of gas used in parking and pulling out in a parking lot.

Factors that determine the fuel price

Government intervention.

Governments may intervene in gasoline (referred to as petrol in some parts of the world) markets by taxation, which may raise prices for consumers within or outside the governmental territory. Similarly, certain industries may receive financial support from the government to promote commercial enterprise (a subsidy). Generally, subsidized products or services can be sold at lower prices.

Financial markets

The global oil price fluctuates constantly. The key crudes quoted are Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) in the unit of US$ per barrel. The retail fuel price is closely related to the global oil price fluctuation.

Political elements such as structure, regime, personnel, and events can all affect the cost of fuel. For instance, a change in leadership from a leader who doesn't believe in climate change to one who does may result in changes to the cost of fuel for consumers based on different policies, such as choosing not to subsidize fuel. Political relationships between countries are also a factor; nations can go to war over resources, or form alliances in order to trade, both of which can affect the cost of fuel.

Geographic area

Certain geographical areas or countries in the world have an abundance of oil, while others do not have a single drop. Regional consumers within close proximity of high supplies of oil are more likely to have lower costs of fuel due to ease of access. Areas without their own supply of oil that are isolated from the rest of the world (such as islands in the Pacific) can find fuel to be relatively expensive.

Natural disaster or weather

Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, major floods, and other such nature-related phenomena can affect the production, manufacturing, and logistics of gasoline, which can possibly affect the price of fuel. For instance, a snowstorm may close certain roads, disallowing the transportation of the resource and driving up fuel costs in these areas. Hurricanes or earthquakes can damage oil refineries, abruptly halting production, which can also eventually increase fuel costs.

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Calculating the Cost of Gas

How to Estimate Cost of Gas for a Road Trip

Many people assume a road trip is a cheaper way to travel across the United States than flying, but that isn't always the case. It depends on the current gas prices and your car's mileage, so you should always add up the cost of your potential road trip before you forego that plane ticket. To do this, you'll need to know the current price of gas, the miles per gallon your vehicle gets on the highway, and the miles you intend to drive on your trip. It's pretty simple to calculate the cost of gas for a trip, and you can get the bottom line in four easy steps.

Calculate Your Gas Mileage

You first need to look up or calculate the mileage, or miles per gallon (mpg), your vehicle gets. You can do this yourself with simple math, or you can use an online mileage calculator . However, your actual mpg may vary depending on your particular driving style, for example, if you prefer to use cruise control or not. You can also try to figure it out by writing down the reading on your odometer the next time you fill up your car. If you have a computerized console, you could also set your trip odometer to zero by pushing the little knob underneath the odometer.

After setting the trip odometer or writing down the number, drive normally until it's time to get gas, then note the odometer reading or the miles on the trip odometer when you fill your tank again. Subtract the first odometer reading from the second to give you the number of miles you've driven. Or, if you set the trip odometer to zero when you filled up the last time, that figure is the number of miles you have driven on that tank of gas. Divide that number of miles by the number of gallons you just purchased on your second gas station visit, which will give you your miles per gallon.

Remember that your mileage will vary based on whether you spend more time driving on the highway or in town. City driving means you'll spend a lot of time stopping and starting, which uses more gas, so your mileage will be lower. If you use a whole gallon of gas to drive just on the highway, however, your calculation will be more accurate.

Research Your Trip Distance

Next, calculate the total distance you'll be driving on your road trip. For this, you can use AAA or Google Maps . Enter in your start and end points, along with any stops along the way, and then note the number of miles it says your trip will cover. Make sure you check that the route being plotting out is likely to be the one you'll take.

If you're planning a several day-, week-, or month-long road trip, you might make some side trips or detours, so it would be impossible to calculate the exact distance. However, you can still make an educated guess by adding in some side trips to your total; if you decide to skip out on them, you'll be spending less money than you budgeted for. Jot down the total distance you'll be driving, plus extra for potential side trips, next to your figure for miles per gallon.

Find Out the Current Price of Gas

For the third step, you need to know the current gas price. Without an approximate price, you can't calculate gas for a trip. Of course it's impossible to know the exact cost of a gallon of gas at any given time in any given location, but knowing the current price will provide you with a dependable approximation of the total fuel cost for your trip. Use AAA to find the average national gas price . Jot down the amount given at the top of the page as your third figure.

Add up Your Trip Cost

Take the mileage of the total distance of your trip and divide it by your miles per gallon. This will give you the number of gallons of gas you'll need on your journey. Then, multiply that figure by the current gas price, and the result is the estimated cost of gas for your road trip.

For example, say you drove 200 miles after filling your car up, set your trip odometer to zero, and had to return to fill up again. On your return to the gas station, you topped up your tank with 10 gallons of gas. Your mpg would then be 200 divided by 10, which is 20 mpg. You are planning on driving 850 miles on your road trip, and the average price of gas was $3.40 at the time you checked.

To calculate the amount of money you need to budget for your road trip, divide 850 by 20 to get the number of gallons of gas you will need, which is 42.5. Multiply 42.5 by $3.40, which gives you $144.50 as the total cost of gas for your road trip. 

Don't Forget Other Travel Costs

The cost of gas is only one aspect of the expense of a road trip. You'll also need to factor in lodging, meals, tolls, and other car-related costs. If you're traveling with friends, you can divvy up the cost of gas, so your transportation fee will be even less per person.

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Fuel Calculator ⛽

Use this fuel cost calculator to easily calculate fuel cost and the gallons / liters needed to complete a trip. Calculate gas cost or petrol cost - we support miles and gallons, liters and km, etc.

Related calculators

• Fuel Needed & Fuel Cost Calculations

Variation in fuel consumption

• Formula for fuel amount
• How to improve fuel economy?

    Fuel Needed & Fuel Cost Calculations

In order to calculate the amount of fuel for a given trip using our fuel cost calculator or otherwise, you need to know the total distance you will be covering and the expected average fuel consumption of your vehicle. It works the same way for cars, trucks, buses, vans, SUVs, and even boats and planes. If you also want to calculate the fuel cost of a trip, then you need to know the price per gallon or price per liter at which you can by.

Our calculator supports entering distances in miles and kilometers. In terms of fuel consumption, it is very versatile as it accepts: miles per gallon, gallons per 100 miles, kilometers per liter and liters per 100 kilometers. In the US, miles per gallon and kilometers per liter would more frequently used, while in most of Europe the preferred metric would be liters to travel 100 km and gallons to cover 100 miles. The result in terms of fuel amount is in gallons or liters, and for fuel cost is in the currency you entered it in (you can simply ignore the currency sign, e.g. $ (USD)).

Make sure to account for the variation in fuel consumption when driving within city limits and on highways - usually the consumption is higher in the former case. Always fill your tank with more fuel than you anticipate you would need, especially during winter or when driving through desolate areas or when extreme weather conditions are expected.

    Formula for fuel amount

If you are using mpg (miles per gallon), then the formula for calculating the total amount of gas needed is:

Fuel = Distance / Consumption mpg

For example, if the distance is 500 miles and consumption is 20 miles per gallon, then the fuel you will need for the entire distance is 500 / 20 = 25 gallons.

If you are using gallons per 100 mi to measure consumption, then the formula for calculating the amount of fuel needed is:

Fuel = Distance / 100 x Consumption per 100 mi

For example, if the distance is 300 miles and the consumption is 5 gallons per 100 miles, you will need 300 / 100 x 5 = 15 gallons of gas.

Both formulas are applicable for metric units - km and liters, just make sure you do not mix metric units. Using an online fuel calculator will make sure you do not commit that mistake.

    How to improve fuel economy?

Don't like the numbers you see when you use our tool? If you wonder how you can improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle so you can cover more miles (or kilometers) with less fuel, we have some tips that can result in significant savings, especially when applied consistently over time. Here is our list of 10 fuel efficiency tips :

• Drive sensibly - If you drive aggressively - too fast compared to other cars, constantly overtaking other vehicles, and rapid acceleration followed by braking, only to accelerate again wastes a lot of gas. By some estimates, quick starts and hard stops can increase fuel consumption by more than 30% ! This is why this is number one in our fuel efficiency list.
• Observe the speed limit - Different vehicles have optimal fuel economy at different velocities, but one way to increase gas mileage is to avoid driving at higher speeds. A small reduction of your average speed , say from 70 mph to 60 mph (equivalently: from 115 km/h to 100 km/h) can help you save 10 to 20% due to lower fuel consumption.
• Follow the leader - drive at about the speed of the vehicle in front of you, if they are following the first 2 tips above. This will make sure you need to accelerate and decelerate as little as possible. If possible, overtake drivers who do not follow them, as it will make it very hard for you to do so. This will result in smaller numbers from our fuel cost calculator.
• Check your tires - make sure your tire pressure is at optimal levels as indicated in the owner's manual provided by the auto manufacturer. If the pressure is too low your mileage will decrease significantly, not to mention that the car may become dangerous to drive.
• Smart routing - make sure you take optimal paths to reach your desired destination. Learn the different modes of route selection your GPS employs - the shortest is not always the fastest and idling stuck in traffic will waste fuel. Use services such as Google Maps to check for traffic congestions on the planned route. Using a route you know well can also help improve fuel efficiency, since you will know in advance where it makes sense to increase speed and where it does not, because of a traffic light just ahead.
• Air conditioning - turning it off will most likely improve your fuel efficiency by 10-15%, and will result in you having more power to accelerate quicker when needed. If it is necessary, make sure you do not set it to unreasonably low or high levels. Air temperature in the range between 64°F - 75°F (18°C - 24°C) is comfortable for most people. Due to the law of thermodynamics, each subsequent degree of heating or cooling requires progressively more energy to accomplish and maintain.
• Remove excess weight - make sure you remove any unneeded heavy items you have in your trunk. One of the untold benefits of losing weight is that your car will be a bit more efficient as well.
• Turn cruise control ON - when on a highway, make sure to use your cruise control option. By keeping your speed constant, it will most likely save gas and result in lower fuel costs.
• Avoid idling - idling means 0 miles per gallon and the larger the car engine, the more gas is wasted when idling. Avoid excessive idling, when possible, in line with point #5 above to keep fuel costs low.
• Maintain your vehicle - a well-maintained car, truck, van, SUV, etc. will operate at greater efficiency. Exact fuel savings are hard to calculate, as it will depend on the type of maintenance work your vehicle needs. However, good maintenance is sure to lead to fuel savings and smaller cost numbers coming out of our calculator.

All the above advice is fine, but what do you do if you have been following the above advice, yet our tool still shows you numbers that are so high you want to cry? Well, it is most likely time for a new car, or it could be just the fuel price fluctuations over which, unfortunately, neither you nor we have much influence, individually. Fuel prices in most places contain license fees and other state or local government taxes, in some places reaching as much as 50% of the final price. Financial market fluctuations, natural disasters or extreme weather, crisis, as well the geographical area you are in and the local fuel suppliers all influence the price of gas. All you can do is try to observe them and predict when you can get a more decent price.

Cite this calculator & page

If you'd like to cite this online calculator resource and information as provided on the page, you can use the following citation: Georgiev G.Z., "Fuel Cost Calculator" , [online] Available at: https://www.gigacalculator.com/calculators/fuel-calculator.php URL [Accessed Date: 09 Jul, 2024].

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Travel Cost Calculator

Quick links, trip pricing calculator.

Travelmath provides an online cost calculator to help you determine the cost of driving between cities. You can use this data to figure out a budget for a road trip. The driving calculation is based on the average fuel efficiency of your vehicle, and you can change the gas mileage in mpg or L/100 km to match your exact make and model. Gas prices are automatically estimated based on current fluctuations, and again you can adjust these to fit your local gas station prices. Both U.S. and international units are available to make the calculations easier to use, and the output is given for both one-way and round trip travel routes.

Check the driving distance for your planned route, and see if the total driving time requires an overnight stay. If it's a long trip, you may want to research some hotels along the way . Or compare whether it's better to fly or drive to your destination.

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Gas Costs Calculator

Take control of your fuel budget with our Gas Cost Calculator.

Fuel Cost Calculator

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Gas cost calculator for a trip

When planning a road trip, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of gas. With fluctuating gas prices and varying fuel efficiency of different vehicles, it can be challenging to accurately estimate how much you'll spend on gas during your trip. That's where a gas cost calculator comes in handy.

A gas costs calculator is a tool that helps you estimate the amount of money you'll spend on gas during your road trip. By entering a few simple details such as your starting location, destination, and vehicle's fuel efficiency, a gas cost calculator can quickly provide you with an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on gas for your trip.

One of the benefits of using a gas cost calculator is that it can help you plan your trip budget more accurately. By having a good estimate of your fuel expenses, you can better allocate your funds and avoid any unexpected costs.

Diesel fuel cost calculator

A diesel fuel cost calculator is a helpful tool for anyone planning a road trip with a diesel-powered vehicle. With fluctuating diesel prices and varying fuel efficiency of different vehicles, it can be challenging to estimate your fuel expenses accurately.

To calculate gas costs for a trip, you'll need to know a few key pieces of information:

• First, you’ll need to know the distance you’ll be traveling. This can be easily found using a map or a navigation app .
• You’ll also need to know the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, which can be found in the owner’s manual or by doing a quick online search.

Once you have this information, you can use a gas cost calculator to estimate your total fuel expenses. Our gas costs calculator will also provide you with the cost per mile, which can be helpful if you want to estimate the cost of shorter trips.

Fuel cost calculator comparison

Another useful feature of a fuel cost calculator is the ability to compare different vehicles. If you’re considering renting a car for your road trip, a gas cost calculator can help you compare the fuel efficiency of different models to determine which one will be the most cost-effective.

In addition to gas cost calculators, Our fuel costs calculator that can help you estimate the cost of fuel per mile. This can be especially useful if you’re trying to determine the most fuel-efficient route to take during your road trip.

When using a gas cost calculator or fuel cost calculator, it’s important to keep in mind that these estimates are just that – estimates. Actual fuel costs may vary depending on factors such as traffic, road conditions, and changes in gas prices.

Despite this, a gas cost calculator can still be an incredibly useful tool for anyone planning a road trip. By providing you with a good estimate of your fuel expenses, you can better plan your trip and avoid any unexpected costs along the way.

Calculate gas costs Online Free

Calculating gas costs online for free is a convenient and useful way to plan for road trips and daily commutes.

You can quickly get an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on gas by using our gas cost calculator. This allows you to budget more effectively and avoid any surprises during your trip.

Many gas cost calculators online also provide additional features such as route planning, which can help you find the most fuel-efficient route and save money on gas.

Overall, calculating gas costs online for free is a simple and effective way to manage your fuel expenses and make informed decisions when it comes to planning your trips.

How much in gas will my trip cost?

To calculate how much your trip will cost in gas, you’ll need to know a few key pieces of information:

• Distance : You’ll need to know the distance you’ll be traveling, which you can easily find using a map or navigation app.
• Fuel efficiency : You’ll need to know your vehicle’s fuel efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG). This information can usually be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or by doing a quick online search.
• Gas prices : Finally, you’ll need to know the current gas prices in the areas you’ll be traveling through. You can find this information by checking online or using a gas price app on your smartphone.

Once you have this information, you can use a gas cost calculator to estimate how much your trip will cost in gas. Simply enter the distance, fuel efficiency, and gas prices, and the calculator will provide you with an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on gas.

Keep in mind that gas prices can fluctuate, so it’s a good idea to double-check the prices before your trip and update your calculations accordingly. Additionally, factors such as driving conditions and traffic can affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, so it’s always a good idea to have some extra funds set aside for unexpected expenses.

In conclusion, a gas costs calculator is an essential tool for anyone planning a road trip. By providing you with an accurate estimate of your fuel expenses, you can better plan your trip and avoid any unexpected costs. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, a gas cost calculator is a valuable resource that can save you time, money, and stress.

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5 best luxury crossovers in key segments, lorraine explains: 3 dangerous things you might do on a summer road trip, ontario licence plates aren't just free, but now auto-renewing, electrified vehicle sales growing faster in canada than u.s., fuel trip calculator: calculate your fuel trip costs instantly.

Input your vehicle details, the price of gas and how many kilometres you drive into our calculator and instantly find out the cost of your trip

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With gas prices changing every day (and in every place), it can be difficult to know just how much your daily commute and other trips are costing you.

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Fuel Trip Calculator: Calculate Your Fuel Trip Costs Instantly Back to video

Our fuel trip calculator can help! Using fuel efficiency data from Natural Resources Canada, the calculator can estimate how much you’re spending on gas each day — or how much you’ll spend on gas for your next road trip.

Save Money on Fuel Trips with a Top-Rated Fuel Trip Calculator

New: compare new and past models with the driving vehicle comparison tool ..

If you’re looking to cut down how much you spend on gas, Natural Resources has tips for more fuel-efficient driving:

• Accelerate gently

• Drive at a steady speed (50-80km per hour is the most efficient range for many vehicles)

• Coast to decelerate

• Avoid idling

• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight

• Limit the use of air conditioning and other powered accessories

• Limit all-wheel and four-wheel drive

Data for the calculator comes from Natural Resources Canada, which publishes fuel efficiency figures for most makes and models of cars sold in Canada. The calculator assumes a combination of city and highway driving for determining fuel efficiency, so costs will be higher if you drive primarily in a city, where fuel efficiency tends to be lower.

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How to save money on gas: 10 tips for your road trip.

As a car owner, you’re subject to several ongoing costs — regularly scheduled maintenance , annual inspections , insurance and, of course, fuel. Learning how to save money on gas is a time-honored tradition amongst drivers, but it becomes an even bigger focus if you’re about to take a long road trip where fuel costs will add up. The good news is that saving money on gas doesn’t have to be daunting. Let’s look at a few strategies to save money on gas on road trips.

1. Routing the trip through states with lower prices

You may be aware that prices for goods and services vary by region and gas is no exception. This means with a bit of planning and foresight, you can potentially route your trip to go through states where gas prices tend to be lower than the national average. So when it comes to gas money, you may be able to slightly reduce the allocation within your road trip budget.

2. Driving along highways

While we’re on the subject of routing, it may be helpful to try to route a lot of your driving along major highways and interstates. This lets you drive at consistent speeds without a lot of starting and stopping, which helps improve your overall fuel efficiency.

3. Not refueling just off the highway

Speaking of highways, while driving along the interstate does help with fuel economy, gassing up at a station right off the highway could hurt your wallet. These gas stations may rely on their convenience to be able to charge a little extra for the same gallon of gas. You may be able to get a better deal by driving just a little bit further away from the highway.

4. Using apps to find gas deals

So, you’re off the highway and looking for some cheap gas. Thankfully, mobile apps can help you do just about anything these days, including helping you locate cheaper gas prices. There’s a plethora of apps available to help you compare gas prices near you, helping you find a better deal and save money on gas by driving to a different gas station just down the road.

5. Being frugal at expensive stations

Sometimes, necessity gets in the way of your best-laid plans. There may be times where you can’t spend time looking for a gas station with lower prices. You can still exercise your frugality though. Instead of filling up all the way, consider just topping up enough gas to safely get you to the next area, where prices are hopefully more affordable.

6. Prioritizing car maintenance

Your car gets better gas mileage when it’s been properly maintained (it’s safer too). Inadequate tire pressure, for instance, can cause a noticeable increase in fuel consumption. Before heading out on a road trip, be sure to check off important items on your car maintenance checklist . Even the things that aren’t directly related to fuel efficiency can still go a long way towards making your trip generally smoother.

7. Traveling light

The more weight your car is hauling, the harder it has to work. In turn, that burns more gas. Having some luggage on your trip is necessary, but if there’s any extra weight in the car that you don’t need, removing it could boost your fuel economy. Additionally, if it’s possible, avoid using roof storage racks as they not only add weight but also alter the aerodynamics of your car by creating additional drag.

8. Using rewards and loyalty programs

This is generally dependent on the card you have and may not always be applicable, but some credit cards offer occasional discounts and rewards on gas purchases. There are also some grocery chains and buyer’s clubs that offer members gas “points” that are redeemable for a discount at the pump. You may not always be able to take advantage of these programs, but it doesn’t hurt to inquire.

9. Choosing the right car

If gas consumption is a big enough concern for you on your road trip, you may want to consider the vehicle you’ll be taking. While some people prefer to drive their own car on a road trip, there’s nothing that says you can’t rent something specifically for that trip. Renting an electric car , for instance, may help eliminate a lot of your concerns about gas money, but you’ll still have to look out for charging stations along your route.

10. Using public transportation when you can

If you’re planning to take a trip to a major city with bustling public transport, one great way to save money on gas is to ditch your car when you arrive at your destination. Exploring the city on foot or using local public transport not only helps you save on gas, it also lets you see a whole other side of the city and maybe even stumble across some hidden gems.

Finding out how to save money on gas is a top priority for most drivers, but it becomes even more important if you’re getting ready to go on a road trip. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to be frugal with your gas costs even when you’re spending large chunks of the day on the road. Apps to find better prices nearby and a bit of clever routing can go a long way toward conserving gas money. You can also shed any excess weight from your car and keep it well-maintained to maximize your fuel economy.

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Gas Calculator -‌ Gas Costs, Mileage, Routes

Looking to calculate fuel cost for your trip on Google Maps? Use the Gas Cost Calculator App! See total trip cost breakdown – fuel, toll and other charges, tags – E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag – toll plaza, toll discounts. Travel on the cheapest or the fastest routes to your destination. For car, truck (2 axle to 9 axle), EV, RV, bus, motorcycle – across USA, Canada and Mexico roads, highways, bridges, tunnels and toll facilities. 

Business? Integrate Toll API for pre-trip, on-trip and post-trip toll and route information.

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USA Trip Calculator 🇺🇸

Embarking on a road trip across the United States is an adventure that promises endless memories and breathtaking sights. However, without proper planning, it can also come with unexpected expenses, especially when it comes to fuel costs. This is where Roadtrip's USA Trip Calculator steps in, offering a tailored solution for travelers seeking to manage their budget effectively while exploring the vast landscapes of the USA.

Why Choose Roadtrip's USA Trip Calculator?

Customized for your journey.

Our USA Trip Calculator is designed with the diversity of American road trips in mind. Whether you're cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway, traversing the historic Route 66, or exploring the scenic byways of New England, our tool provides tailored calculations based on your specific route, vehicle type, and current fuel prices.

Fast and User-Friendly

We know that planning a road trip should be more about excitement and less about hassle. That's why our calculator is designed for speed and ease of use. In just a few steps, you'll have a clear estimate of your trip's fuel costs, allowing you to budget effectively and spend more on experiences.

Always Accessible

The USA Trip Calculator is web-based, making it accessible from anywhere at any time. Whether you're at the planning stage at home or making adjustments on the road, our tool is available on any device, ensuring you have the information you need, when you need it.

Up-to-Date Information

Fuel prices can vary greatly across the United States, and they change frequently. Our calculator uses real-time data to provide the most current prices, ensuring your trip estimates are as accurate as possible.

The Roadtrip App: Elevate Your Road Trip Planning

While the USA Trip Calculator is a great start, the Roadtrip app brings your trip planning to a whole new level:

• Interactive Map-Based Planning : Use our app's interactive map to plot your route, discover points of interest, and calculate distances accurately.
• Vehicle Specific Calculations : Enter your vehicle's make and model to get specific fuel efficiency data, making your cost estimates even more precise.
• Local Fuel Prices : Get updated fuel prices for your entire route, helping you plan your refueling stops wisely and save money.
• Emission Estimates : For eco-conscious travelers, the app provides estimates of your trip's carbon emissions, helping you to make more sustainable travel choices.

How to Plan Your USA Road Trip for Maximum Savings

• Plot Your Route : Start by mapping out your journey, including all the major stops you plan to make. This helps in calculating the total distance of your trip accurately.
• Update Fuel Prices : Input the latest fuel prices, or let our app do it for you in real-time. This step is crucial for an accurate cost estimate.
• Enter Your Vehicle Details : Providing specifics about your vehicle ensures the calculator can accurately determine your fuel efficiency.
• Calculate : With all the details in place, hit calculate to receive an instant estimate of your trip's fuel costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How accurate is the USA Trip Calculator? A: Our calculator is highly accurate, provided you input the latest fuel prices and accurate vehicle information. For a more comprehensive planning tool, including live fuel prices and route optimization, the Roadtrip app is the ideal companion.

Q: Is there a fee to use the USA Trip Calculator? A: No, our calculator is completely free to use. For travelers seeking enhanced features and real-time updates, the Roadtrip app offers a full suite of planning tools.

Q: What additional features does the Roadtrip app offer? A: Beyond fuel cost calculations, the app offers route planning with interactive maps, live fuel price updates, vehicle-specific efficiency data, and carbon emission estimates. It's everything you need for a well-planned and budget-friendly USA road trip.

Planning a road trip across the United States doesn't have to be daunting or expensive. With Roadtrip's USA Trip Calculator and the comprehensive Roadtrip app, you have all the tools necessary to plan your journey efficiently, save on fuel costs, and focus on making unforgettable memories. Download the app today and start planning your dream road trip with confidence and ease.

59 Easy Ways To Save Money On A Road Trip (2024)

Are you wondering about the best way to save money on a road trip?

Taking a road trip is an exciting way to travel, but it can also get expensive ! Between the insane price of gas these days, hotels, and food, not to mention the things you want to do on your trip, you can spend a small fortune if you aren’t careful.

Planning your trip? Use our favorite resources!

For accommodations –   Hotels.com  |  Expedia  |  VRBO ​ For car rentals –   Discover Cars ​ For tours & excursions –   Viator ​ For cheap flights – FareDrop ​ For travel insurance –   Safety Wing

Sam and I have taken dozens of road trips. It is our favorite way to experience a new place and travel in general. We have traveled a large chunk of the US, hitting up lots of national parks like Yellowstone , Grand Teton , Glacier , and Acadia , and exploring other underrated but wonderful regions like the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and the Bold Coast of Maine .

We’ve also been fortunate enough to plan some road trip routes in England and Scotland which were some of our favorites of all time. We are itching to get back to Europe and plan some more epic road trip itineraries.

related: the best car for a road trip in Europe

On many of the road trips, I have learned the hard way and made plenty of costly mistakes, but I’ve also learned a ton about how to save money on a road trip and make any vacation more budget-friendly as well.

So here’s a list of 59 ways to save money on a road trip so you can have the vacation you dreamed of without draining your bank account!

Let’s dive right in, shall we? We’ve got a lot to cover!

I’ve broken this list up into sections so if you are looking for tips in a particular area, like how to save money on accommodation or gas, you can find it easier and also refer back to the list later on if you need to.

Ways to save money on a road trip – P lanning

1. Plan ahead!

Every cheap road trip needs to start with some proper planning. The more you know ahead of time the better off you will be and the fewer surprises you will have when you get home and start totaling up your bills.

Although everyone plans a trip differently, some of the things you should know ahead of time include:

• Who’s coming – are you going solo? Is this a whole family trip?
• Your route – where you are going and how long you’ll be traveling. This will give you a baseline to determine how much gas you’ll need, possible accommodation locations, etc. I love Google Maps for this!
• When will you do most of your long stretches of driving? Will you drive mostly during the day or at night?
• Lodging – do you prefer B&Bs? Is camping more your forte? You can start to figure out where you can stay along your route that fits your style and budget.
• Tolls – does your road trip route have tolls? Knowing this ahead of time will save you the headache and surprise of finding out on the spot and allow you to avoid them if you wish.
• Parking – finding places to park can sometimes be the most stressful part of road tripping in my opinion. Knowing what the parking situation is like where you’ll be going can relieve some of that stress.
• Attractions – before you leave, you should research the places you want to see. Are they only open on certain days/hours? What does it cost? Are certain exhibits/aspects of the attraction under construction? You don’t want to be disappointed when you get there and realize they are closed!
• Know the cancellation policies for accommodations, car rentals, etc. in case you need to alter your plans or you are delayed. If you have to make last-minute changes, you don’t want to be upset because you didn’t know you don’t get a refund on your hotel. Know what to expect ahead of time.

I’ve got an amazing resource that can help you with all these aspects of planning for your road trip plus SO much more! Click here to check out the ultimate road trip planning workbook!

While researching as much of your trip as you can ahead of time will save you money overall, no one is saying you have to stick to your plan 100% – I mean, you want to be able to take that random detour to see that kitschy roadside attraction if you want to, right?

Allow room for hidden gems and spontaneous detours – that’s part of what makes a road trip so special – but if you don’t plan anything, you will likely spend a lot more money simply because you didn’t take the time to do a little research.

2. Make a budget and stick with it

One of my top travel tips on how to save money on a road trip is to make a budget . No one saves money if they don’t know what they should be spending in the first place.

I mentioned what areas you should be planning for your trip, and these mostly correlate to what I calculate in my trip budget. As you’re planning, you’ll be able to figure out estimates for these road trip costs:

• Attractions
• Parking/tolls
• Miscellaneous – ice, toiletries, laundry, souvenirs, etc.

Making the budget itself is only part of the equation – you need to actually stick to it! If you say you are only going to spend $30/day on food, keep yourself accountable! If saving money on road trips is important to you, you need to track your expenses and log them every day so you can see if you are overspending or if you are on target.

There are so many different apps that make this super easy – some free and some paid. I personally like Wanderlust: Travel Expenses, but regardless of how you track, just make sure you stick with it!

3. Travel with friends

When you travel in a group, you end up splitting two of the most expensive trip costs – lodging and gas. You can save a lot of money by finding a friend or two who are ready for adventure!

While traveling with other people can definitely make a trip easier on your wallet, make sure you and your friends are compatible travel partners. Nothing ruins a trip faster than some unmet expectations or unwelcome surprises.

Have a conversation about how everyone likes to travel and what everyone expects to get out of the trip and you’ll be much better off.

When it comes to keeping track of who-paid-what and who-owes-who, I like the app Splitwise.

4. Pack layers

No matter if you are going to Hawaii or Alaska, pack layers! You don’t want to have to buy that overpriced souvenir hoodie because you forgot to bring a jacket. Having to purchase additional clothing can blow your budget fast, so pack essentials even if you don’t end up using them.

5. Pack your toiletries correctly

Something I’ve been guilty of time and time again is just throwing my toiletries into a travel bag and calling it good, only to show up at my destination with my face wash and contact solution spilled all over EVERYTHING.

Learn from my mistake – take a couple of extra minutes and pack your toiletries the right way! Put all containers with any liquid, gel, or cream in a separate, sealable plastic bag. To double up on the protection, unscrew the lids and put some plastic wrap over the top before putting the lid back on. It’s a total game-changer!

Not only will this protect your clothes and other items from stains and smelling funky, but now you won’t have to swing by Walmart and buy more toiletries. Yay!

6. Double- and triple-check your packing list

This goes along with making sure you don’t have to run out and buy something because you forgot to bring it. But in order to check your list, you have to make one first!

I normally start making my checklist and packing about a week before my travel dates. Maybe that’s a little overkill for some people and that’s perfectly fine! But I know for me, I’m constantly remembering things I want to pack throughout the days leading up to leaving, so if I start the list early, I can keep adding things on as they come to me.

Check out this post on everything you need to pack for your road trip.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Food

7. Pack your own food & water bottles

What’s a vacation without your own snacks? A lame one in my opinion! It’s always a good idea to have some food in your car while you’re traveling so 1) you don’t have to stop constantly whenever anyone feels snackish, and 2) you don’t want anyone getting hangry (I am totally guilty of this one!).

Some basic non-perishable snacks , such as trail mix, jerky, popcorn, and seeds, are always a great idea and will be OK to leave in the car throughout your long road trip.

To save money on road trip food, your best bet is to stock up at your local grocery store before you leave. If you have a Sam’s Club or Costco membership, you can get what you need in bulk and save even more.

I’m also an advocate of bringing a refillable bottle and ditching the plastic bottled water. You save money and you help the environment. Win-win. If you’re worried about drinking water out of roadside bathroom faucets, get a filtering Lifestraw water bottle or water purification tablets .

8. Bring your own coffee

If you are a die-hard coffee drinker, you can spend a lot of money topping off your coffee cup at the gas station every few hours.

A great alternative is to bring along your own coffee that you already know you like and use a french press or similar to make your coffee on the go.

I personally don’t drink coffee, but a lot of travelers recommend the Aeropress because it’s compact, lightweight, and cleans up quickly and easily.

9. Fix your own meals

Going along with the previous suggestion, another one of my favorite road trip tips is to not only bring your own drinks and snacks but also make your own meals.

This can look different for everyone depending on where you are staying and how much time you like spending on your trip cooking and eating. But here are some ideas to get you started:

• If you’re camping, cook over the fire or with a camp stove. Many campsites have a grate so you can grill and place cast iron cookware right over the fire. We personally like to cook over charcoal but wood works too. We also bring our backpacking cookstoves because sometimes it’s just easier to whip up something quick on one of those than starting a fire, especially in the morning. You can make coffee and tea quickly with those too!
• If you’re staying in hotels or Airbnb’s, get a place with a kitchen . It might cost a little more than a place that doesn’t, but you more than likely will still save money by making your own food than having to eat out every single meal. This is a great option for a family road trip too because eating out with a lot of people can get REALLY pricey really fast.
• Bring a good-quality cooler and buy whatever food you can ahead of time . Invest in a road trip cooler and pack that sucker full of several days’ worth of meals. It will keep everything cold until you get there. If you’re camping, ice is still cheaper than eating out all the time. You might have to go grocery shopping once or twice on your trip, but getting what you can at home first will probably still save you some money.

related: how big of a cooler do I need for a road trip?

• Make sure you bring all the utensils you will need to prepare the food. This goes for both camping and hotels. Once you buy all that food, you don’t want to realize you forgot tongs, or a spatula, or a chopping knife, and then have to buy one in order to make the meals. Most places with kitchens will have some kind of cookware available, but make sure you check with the place first and bring any utensils you know you will need for the food you’re going to make.

10. Have some meals prepped ahead of time

Let’s be real, even if you intend to cook glorious gourmet meals every night of your trip, there are probably going to be a few days when you just don’t feel like it and you’d rather hit up the drive-thru on your way back to your hotel.

In comes the pre-made meal! These don’t have to be super complicated or fancy – ideally, it’s something you can either throw in the oven and heat up or dump in the skillet and warm over the fire. That way you aren’t wasting food you already bought but you also don’t have to spend a lot of time or energy making a whole meal for the family.

This even works for lunches or meals on the road. I tend to be the kind of person who throws a bunch of random foods together and calls it a meal – shredded chicken, carrot sticks, string cheese, an apple, maybe some nuts or a protein bar – you can do something like this for dinner too if you know you’re going to be out late. It will help when you just don’t have it in you to make supper when you get back to your accommodation for the night.

11. Collect grocery discount cards

A lot of chain grocery stores offer free discount cards which allow you to save some extra money. Places like Safeway & Kroger come to mind, but it doesn’t hurt to see what stores are in the area when you are in your planning phase and see if this is something they offer.

12. Take advantage of free hotel breakfasts

If you’re planning to have a few hotel stays on your next road trip, one of my top tips is to try and pick ones with a free breakfast. Also, as long as there is no sign explicitly telling you not to, you can also take some fruit, granola bars, etc. to go with your lunch or for snacks.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Eating out

As delicious as your home-cooked meals are, you probably will want to eat some meals at a restaurant. I personally think trying the local cuisine is such a huge part of any vacation experience. But there are still some ways to save money on a road trip for when you decide to eat a delicious meal out.

13. Skip the fast food

You might think that fast food = cheap food, but that is not the case, at least not anymore.

You can easily end up spending $50+ for a few crappy, bad-for-you meals for your family when you can spend only a little bit more than that at a diner or a coffee shop.

If you are going to spend the money to eat out, there are better options for not that much more money.

14. Eat out for breakfast or lunch

I absolutely love breakfast. It is by far my favorite meal of the day. So when Sam and I travel, we try and go out for breakfast once or twice. Breakfast in general is so much cheaper than the other meals, so you can fill up for a lot less this way.

Lunch also tends to be cheaper than dinner, and sometimes the menu is the same as the dinner menu, so if there’s a restaurant you’re dying to try but you want to save a bit of cash, consider going for lunch. You’ll probably beat the dinner crowds too.

15. Look for happy hours

Another great money-saving option, especially if you want to get a drink or two, is to take advantage of happy hours.

A lot of places will offer deals on drinks and sometimes appetizers too. You could get a couple of beers and a few appetizers to share and spend a fraction of what you would have if you had gone during regular dinner hours.

Sure, you might have to eat a little earlier, but you could always grab a snack or two that you intelligently packed along in the car if you get hungry later on.

16. Bring a growler

Hopping around to the local breweries is something that a lot of people love to do when visiting a new town.

I’m not much of a beer drinker, but my husband is, and many local breweries will fill up a growler for you if you bring it in.

This is a great option if you like to have a beer or two around the campfire because it will save you more money than buying a six-pack at the liquor store (and you’ll be supporting local shops).

17. Search for coupons

It might be worth your while to see if there are any coupons available for the restaurants you want to hit up. If you notice a place or two while planning that you might want to try, look and see if they offer any coupons online.

Sometimes sites like Groupon or Restaurant.com will have a great deal too.

18. Take out vs. eating in

You can save a few bucks by ordering food for take-out instead of eating in. You can use apps like Doordash and Grubhub, but you sometimes pay more that way. Calling the restaurant directly will ensure you are getting the best price.

19. Split meals/desserts

Sometimes you just aren’t that hungry or really don’t want to take leftovers back to the hotel. Or maybe you really want some dessert but you don’t want to be too full after an enormous dinner.

Splitting meals or desserts is one of the best tips to save money on a road trip when you eat out and also satisfies your sweet tooth. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

20. Ask the locals

One of the things I love about staying in Airbnbs is having access to a local who can point me in the right direction on where to eat.

Restaurants on Tripadvisor and other websites are a decent starting point but they can often get hyped up and sometimes are only reviewed by tourists.

If you don’t know anyone local, ask the staff at a local shop or visitor center. Chances are you’ll get a great recommendation that you might have overlooked otherwise.

21. Make a meal part of the experience

Food can really enhance a trip, especially food that is specific to the location you’re visiting. You can’t really get to know a place if you haven’t eaten the cuisine, right?

When you do go out to eat, pick places that are special to the region – a local seafood place at the shore, pizza in Chicago, jambalaya in New Orleans – and try things you can’t get at home.

Make the meal part of the whole travel experience and it will make the memories of your trip that much sweeter (or savorier – whatever floats your boat!).

Ways to save money on a road trip – Accommodations

Lodging can be a huge road trip expense, especially at high-tourist locations, but there are definitely ways to help cut costs.

22. Compare hotel prices

I’m sure most people know there are tons of websites out there where you can book hotels. If you want to have a frugal road trip, you have to do some research on accommodations.

If you have a particular hotel in mind, or just want to see what’s available in your price range, you can check on sites like Expedia or Hotels.com . Sometimes there will be a pretty significant price difference from one site to another.

Don’t overlook booking directly with the hotel, either. Sometimes the lowest price can be found by calling the hotel and asking what their best deal is. Plus there’s less of a chance of getting charged twice (this has happened to me LOTS of times when I’ve booked through a 3rd party site).

23. Airbnb/VRBO/Homeaway

Airbnb and VRBO have become very popular options for accommodations. You can find everything from renting a room in someone’s home to entire houses and condos. This is usually my choice of lodging if I’m not camping.

Any of these options can be cheaper than hotel rooms if you are traveling with a family or large group. Just watch out for the fees – recently it seems that the cleaning and service fees tacked on make a lot of places much more expensive than a hotel.

24. Camping/Hipcamp

If we are taking a summer road trip, camping is my favorite. It’s also considerably cheaper than hotels and Airbnbs. If you enjoy camping, you can save a lot of money on a place to sleep and also get all the benefits of being in the beautiful outdoors.

You can find campsites (including free ones) in a lot of ways, but I usually check the Recreation.gov and Campspot apps first. The Dyrt is also a popular one that can help you find a lot of free options. Some other choices include iOverlander, Campendium, and FreeRoam.

I’ve also noticed a lot of private campgrounds are hard to find on these apps, so sometimes I’ll just search on Google Maps and see what pops up in the area I’m looking.

If you don’t care about amenities and just want a place to sleep, see if there is any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land around and if free camping is permitted. This is also really handy if you are road-tripping in a camper van or RV.

Maybe you aren’t interested in rustic camping but would like to try glamping. Hipcamp is a great choice for that. They do have regular camping sites, but they also list campers, treehouses, cabins, pods, and much more. They also have available places outside of the United States, like Canada and Mexico.

get $10 off your first hipcamp booking!

25. rent a campervan.

This is something that I haven’t done yet, but it is on my bucket list! If you are looking for a more adventurous road trip , consider renting a campervan.

You get your mode of transportation and lodging all in one, which could not only save you money but also give you a unique way of traveling.

26. Stay with family and friends

Do you have any friends or family near an area you’d like to see? You can’t beat getting a free place to crash at night while also catching up with people you might not have seen in a while. They probably know a great place to eat and things you should see as well. Bonus!

27. Couchsurfing

If you’re more adventurous you could consider looking into Couchsurfing.

Sam and I have done this several times and have also hosted people from all over the world at our own home, and I love the focus on connection and cultural exchange between hosts and guests.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Car preparation

You can’t take a road trip without an automobile, so you’ll want to make sure that no matter what you’re driving, whether your own vehicle or a rental, you are prepared!

28. Get the car checked out and maintained before you leave

Before you hit the road, make sure you have your car checked over by a mechanic or dealership.

Get an oil change, have the tire pressure checked and get them rotated, top off the fluids, and confirm the windshield wipers are in good shape. Make sure there isn’t anything else that might have to be addressed too.

If you’re going to be traveling for a long time and will need an oil change along the way, do some research to find out where along your route you can have that done, and check if you’ll need an appointment.

Places like Jiffy Lube, Valvoline, and a lot of dealerships will let you just show up for a simple oil change or tire rotation, but it doesn’t hurt to confirm this beforehand.

29. Put together a roadside emergency kit

When you travel a lot of miles, there’s a good chance something will happen eventually, and the better prepared you are to face that something, the less stressed you’ll be when it does happen.

Even when you aren’t on a road trip, there are certain things you should keep in your car in case of a flat tire or dead battery, but these items are even more important when you are away from home and aren’t close to your mechanic and family.

Here are the things you should have in your car that are road trip essentials:

• Spare tire & jack – most vehicles have this stashed away in your trunk or another compartment, but have you ever checked it? Make sure it’s inflated and you actually have your jack (the one time I got a flat I didn’t have it and never knew it was missing!).
• Jumper cables or portable car battery – at the minimum you should have jumper cables, but if you can swing it, a portable car battery is even better. You don’t have to rely on another vehicle (which can be a lifesaver if you are in the middle of nowhere) and the battery’s charge will last a long time, even in really cold winters like we have here in Minnesota.
• Portable air compressor – this isn’t a necessity if you have a functional spare tire and jack, but if you only have a small leak, it might be quicker and easier to just pump it up until you can get someplace to get it repaired.
• Flare/cones & reflective vest – if you do have to stop on the side of the road for a repair, you want to stay safe and make sure other cars can see you and know to give you space.
• Flashlight with extra batteries – this can come in handy in lots of situations.

related: the best car accessories for a road trip

• Phone charger – I’m guessing most people have some kind of phone charger in their vehicle already, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra cord stashed away in case your current one stops working.
• Blanket – this can be used for lots of things too, but if you end up getting stuck somewhere at night or in the winter, it could save your life. You could even consider an emergency thermal blanket which is really cheap and very effective.
• First aid kit – lots of options for these as well, but just make sure it’s got the basics and it should do the trick.
• Water and food – if you’re traveling you probably have these with you anyway, but an extra jug or two of water might not be a bad option – I usually carry at least two.
• Car manual – it wouldn’t hurt to double-check your glove box and see if your manual is in there. You never know when you might have to verify something.
• Winter travel – if you are driving in the winter, a few extra things you should have with you include a shovel, windshield scraper, and hat & gloves.

30. Look into roadside assistance

There may be certain situations you’ll encounter where you’ll need outside help, like if you run out of gas or get into an accident.

Companies like AAA are great options for times like these. If you’re renting a car, some companies have this included or allow you to add it on, so consider that as well. A trip can really go downhill quickly if you run into trouble and you have no way of getting the situation resolved.

The reason I like AAA is that on top of the roadside assistance, you can also get discounts on attractions, car rentals, shopping, and more.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Gas

Gas is expensive, yo! Here are a few things you can try to cut down on the cost.

31. Download the Upside app

I only recently found out about this app and it’s pretty awesome! You search through the app for gas stations where you can get cashback per gallon of gas you buy.

Sometimes you can even get cashback inside the gas station store, so if you want to grab a snack or a cup of coffee you get extra money.

You can cash out for lots of different gift cards, like Amazon and Target, but you can also put the money directly into your bank account too, so it’s a true cash reward!

Get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you use Upside!

32. download the gas buddy app.

I think a lot of people already know about Gas Buddy , but in case you don’t, it’s a great app to show you where the cheapest gas is. I rarely use it anymore because I use Upside almost exclusively, but occasionally I’m in a location where there are no gas stations with cashback, so I’ll use Gas Buddy to see who’s cheapest in the area.

As a rule, gas stations right off the highway are going to be more expensive, so if you don’t mind driving a few miles down the road, you can usually save a bit of money.

Gas Buddy also has a trip cost calculator that looks at your route, your gas mileage, and what the current gas prices are and comes up with an estimate of how much you’ll pay for gas on your trip. I use this during my trip budgeting phase to get a decent estimate of how much money to allocate for gas.

33. Use Google Maps to find gas stations

If you need to find a station quickly because you’re running low and don’t want to mess with apps, you can search for gas stations on Google Maps, and often the price per gallon will show up with the stations in the area. This is an easy way to search for a place with the lowest prices when you’re in a pinch.

34. Check gas prices in the next state

When you start getting close to a state line, check gas prices with one of the above apps and see if the next state is cheaper or more expensive. The difference in price can be shocking the second you cross the border.

Even if you have half a tank of gas, it might be worth stopping to top off if the state you are entering is much more expensive. On the flip side, if you need to fill up soon and the next state is cheaper, see if you can wait until you get there to fuel up.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Driving

35. use cruise control.

Not only is cruise control nice for really long stretches of highway driving, but did you know it saves gas too? Take advantage of it when you can and you’ll save a few bucks in the process.

36. Drive the speed limit

Nobody likes being told how to drive, but this is one area you really should follow the rules.

Driving slower saves on gas in general, and if you get pulled over and get a speeding ticket, you’ll likely be out several hundred dollars. Not great for your budget and not a great memory for your trip either.

Road trips are about getting there as much as the destination itself – so slow down and enjoy the journey.

37. Use Google Maps or Waze to avoid traffic

Nobody wants to sit in traffic. No one. So do yourself a favor and use a navigation app like Google Maps or Waze that will help you avoid those accidents on the interstate and find an alternate route around construction if need be. This will save your sanity and gas.

38. Avoid tolls

Sometimes taking the toll roads can save you a lot of time, but often you’ll find that avoiding the tolls doesn’t add all that much time onto your drive. If you’re more concerned about saving money, set your GPS to avoid tolls and see if the cost saved outweighs the time added. Most of the time, you’ll probably say yes.

39. Download free audiobooks

If you’re anything like me, there is only so much music you can listen to before you need to switch it up. I love to listen to audiobooks when I’m on the road. You can definitely buy some if you want, but did you know that most libraries let you borrow audiobooks for free ?

Check out your local library to see if this is something they offer. The Libby app is where a lot of libraries have their online collection so you can search and see what’s available.

Amazon also offers a 30-day Audible trial , so it might be advantageous to sign up for that too if you haven’t already. Just make sure you cancel before the trial is over if you don’t want to continue the membership!

Ways to save money on a road trip – Parking

40. find cheap parking.

Whether you’re traveling to a big city or a popular tourist attraction, it seems paying for parking is the norm these days. It’s really rare to be able to find free parking anymore. Most of the time you drive around aimlessly, hoping to find a parking lot that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for a few hours of time.

If you want to save some money and hassle, use a parking app like Way or SpotHero which will show you where you can park, what the parking fees are, and will often let you reserve a spot ahead of time. I’ve used these in big cities like Los Angeles and also for airport parking in New York.

41. Leave your car and use public transportation

Once you reach your destination, it can sometimes be more cost-effective to leave your vehicle at your lodging and use other means to travel around, especially if you are in a city.

Taking a bus or train to the city center and then walking or riding a bike might be cheaper than parking for the day, and it probably will be a lot less stressful too (city traffic usually SUCKS).

You can also check how much an Uber or Lyft costs to get you into the city, and that also might be cheaper than parking for the day. Just do a bit of research and see what makes sense for you and your budget.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Car rentals

Sometimes your destination is across the country or ocean and you need to fly to get there first…which then means you’ll need to rent a car. Car rental prices can be expensive, and even though there’s a good chance you’ll still pay a pretty penny, there are a few things you can look at to see if you can save a few bucks.

42. Search through multiple websites

Just like with hotels, there are dozens of websites you can use to find car rentals. Here are the ones I recommend:

• Costco – if you have a Costco membership this is a very good option. I’ve heard from a lot of people they find the best deals around through this site. While I’ve never used this perk personally yet, it’s worth looking into. You can also search without being a member, and if you find a really good price that makes up for the membership fee, it might be worth enrolling to take advantage of the deal. Plus I believe you get a 2nd driver for free (which most other companies make you pay for) so that might be worth the extra cost to you.
• Discover Cars – This is my go-to website for finding the best car rental prices. They compare all the rental companies for you and if your plans change, you always get free cancellation.
• AAA – as I mentioned earlier, you can get some decent car rental deals through them if you’re a member.
• Turo – this is like the Airbnb for cars. I haven’t used them yet but it seems like you can rent a car for cheaper than a traditional rental company. This might be worth a look if you can pick up and return the car to the same location.

related: what is the most comfortable car to rent?

43. skip rental car insurance.

Now please don’t misunderstand – I’m not saying you should rent a car with no insurance at all. What I mean is that you may not have to purchase the rental insurance the car company is trying to shove down your throat.

If you own a vehicle, your personal car insurance may have rental car coverage. It’s worth checking your policy to see what, if anything, is covered.

If you have travel insurance (which I highly recommend) you may have coverage through them. Again, check your policy to see.

The option that I always suggest to people is to check with your credit card company. A lot of travel credit cards, especially those that earn you points and miles, include rental car insurance as long as you put the purchase on your card.

I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Capital One Venture X, and for both of these cards, I can always decline the additional insurance when I rent a car because I’m covered for just about everything.

ALWAYS read the fine print and double-check everything before you decline rental insurance, though. You don’t want to be responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs if something happens. Make sure you are covered before declining.

Ways to save money on a road trip – Attractions

The reason you take vacations is to experience things, right? And some of those experiences might cost a bit of money. While I’d much rather skimp in other areas in order to do things while on a road trip, if I can still save a few dollars, why wouldn’t I?

44. National park & state park passes

If your road trip itinerary includes stopping to experience any of the amazing national parks in the US, consider ordering the America the Beautiful pass. For $80, you can get into any national park and federal recreation site for one year. Most of the time, if you visit at least 2-3 parks, the pass pays for itself.

If you are camping or spending a longer period of time exploring state parks, check and see if there is a state park pass. Sometimes it makes sense to purchase one of these instead of day passes.

When Sam and I spent a week camping and exploring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it saved us money to buy the annual state park pass instead of paying a per-day rate.

45. Find free things to do

There are tons of free things to do no matter where you go if you know where to look and have an open mind.

You can go hiking or take the kids to a local park or playground.

Many towns and cities have farmer’s markets, live music, festivals, museums, and art galleries.

You can find a beach or lake and have a picnic.

Check out the local paper or tourism website and see what events are happening. You never know what you might find.

The GPSMyCity app is also something you can check out if you are in a new city. It offers free, self-guided walking tours with different themes, and you can also create your own.

46. Avoid (most) organized tours

There are some tours out there that you simply can’t do on your own, like whitewater rafting, ziplining, or tours where you want the knowledge of a guide to enrich your experience.

However, a lot of double-decker bus tours, audio tours, or walking tours can be replicated for free if you do a little bit of research. You can often go on the tour company’s website and they will lay out the route and stops.

Simply recreate the tour yourself and look up information on the sights as you go!

47. Buy tickets to attractions online ahead of time

If the attraction you want to visit sells the entrance fees online, you might want to consider purchasing tickets before you go. Sometimes it can cost less if you buy them in advance, but it also might be worthwhile simply so you know for sure you can get in on the day and time you want.

Two great websites that offer tours and attraction tickets are Get Your Guide and Viator . While you might not always get a discounted price for booking early, these are fantastic sites to see what’s around in the area you are visiting.

If there’s something you really want to do or experience, you’ll be able to check out times and prices beforehand and be able to budget for it, and then book when you are ready.

48. Is it a bucket list item?

There are so many adventurous and exciting things you can do just about anywhere you go. Sometimes these things are unique to the area you’re visiting, but sometimes they are activities you can do almost anywhere.

Know when it’s worth it to splurge on an excursion and then budget for it. You want to get to do and see the things that made you pick your location in the first place, so make sure you do them! But consider if the tour or attraction is unique to the area or if it’s something you can do at home another time.

OTHER ways to save money on a road trip

49. Avoid ATM fees

If you’re traveling to an area that doesn’t have any ATMs affiliated with your bank, you’ll probably have to cough up a few dollars every time you need to pull money out of your account. While credit cards are accepted at most places in the US these days, you still should carry some cash on you for those places that may not.

Some banks will reimburse you the ATM fees, but if you have a bank that doesn’t, consider getting a Charles Schwab checking account. You get reimbursed for all ATM fees everywhere, even internationally. There’s no minimum balance and no fees.

I use mine exclusively for travel and highly recommend it. I also like it because I only have a set amount of money in the account, and if for some reason my card would get lost or stolen, I know there’s only a small amount of money in there.

50. Check your credit cards every few days

So this might seem like overkill for some people, but hear me out. If you’re out on the road for several weeks or months at a time and you’re not actively checking your credit card activity, you could end up with some fraudulent charges and not know for a long time.

This is also a good practice to implement even if you’re not traveling. If you have automatic bill pay set up and barely look at the monthly statements, you could pay for those charges and not realize some bozo has gone on a shopping spree at the adult store with your card number, and now your spouse has some questions.

It’s also possible you could get overcharged or double charged at hotels, restaurants, or shops. This has happened a few times to me, and whether by accident or on purpose, the quicker you catch those things the better.

Most credit card companies let you dispute those things right from the web or app and you never even have to call, so take a few minutes every few days to review your recent charges and make sure everything looks OK.

51. Use the right credit card

I touched on this a bit when I mentioned car rental insurance, but there are a lot of other reasons to consider getting travel credit cards. You basically get cash back every time you make a purchase, and with certain cards, you can get more than just the standard 1% on travel, gas, hotel, and restaurant purchases.

Your own personal spending habits and how you want to use your points and miles are going to decide what card you should consider, but as I said before, if you’re looking for a great intro travel credit card, you can’t beat the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It does have a $95 annual fee, but you’ll get your money’s worth, I promise.

If you’re interested in learning more about travel hacking and the points & miles game, I’m in no way an expert, but you should check out the free 10X Travel course . Bryce offers a lot of great info and I learned a ton.

52. Travel during the off/shoulder-season

When you decide to travel is going to affect the cost of many aspects of your trip. Accommodations, car rentals, and even gas prices can go up during the high season. If you have flexibility in when you can take your road trip, consider going during the off or shoulder season.

This is going to vary depending on the destination. For a USA road trip, places down south are popular in the winter, and people tend to flock to northern locations in the summer. Places with gorgeous fall foliage are going to be swamped with tourists in autumn, and areas known for gardens and flowers are probably going to be popular in the spring.

I personally try to travel in the shoulder seasons when I’m able. I don’t like crowds and prefer milder to colder weather, so heading to a place like Scotland in November and December was a dream.

On the other hand, there may be certain attractions and activities you can’t do outside the high season, so again, do some research and see if you’ll get the experience you want if you go during a less busy time of year.

53. Avoid the tourist areas

If you’re a tourist, you’ll probably find yourself spending time in some of the tourist areas. That’s where you’ll find the visitor centers and lots of things to do. However, things like food, lodging, and even souvenirs are going to cost you more there.

Think about staying outside the tourist areas and try to find some restaurants a few blocks away from the chintzy souvenir shops. Chances are you’ll save money and have a more authentic experience at the same time.

54. Avoid doing laundry

Unless you’re out on the road for weeks, bringing enough clothing for the duration of your trip is going to save you money by not having to swing by a laundry mat.

I also like to pack clothing that travels and wears well too, meaning I don’t have to wash it after every wear and it doesn’t wrinkle. Wool is a fantastic option because it’s odor-resistant, regulates body temperature, wicks away moisture, and is easy to take care of. My favorite brand is Woolx but there are lots of good options out there.

If you do have to do some laundry, you can always hand wash the items that need it. I always pack a few laundry sheets along just in case I spill something all over my clothes (I may or may not be notorious for this).

You can also consider renting a place that has a washer and dryer so you don’t have to pay extra to wash your clothes.

55. Avoid extra expenses

Be diligent with your budget and keep track of where you’re spending your money. Only pay for the things that will enhance your experience. All those expressos and visits to the vending machine add up!

If you don’t need it and it’s not something that is going to make your trip memorable or special, consider if it’s really worth it and skip it if you can.

56. Collect free souvenirs

I’m not much of a souvenir person. When I travel to a new country I like to buy a box and fill it with little things I pick up on the trip, like ticket stubs, flyers, guidebooks, bottle caps, and so on. Otherwise, I just take some pictures and make canvases to display around the house.

But I know not everyone is like that. If you love souvenirs, find something relatively cheap that you can display creatively or something you can eat or wear. I know some people like to collect key chains, postcards, shot glasses, snow globes, etc.

Or do what I do and collect the free things you get when you visit an attraction, like maps, stickers, flyers, tickets, and whatnot. You don’t have to buy something big or expensive to remember your trip.

57. Purchase Travel Insurance

This tip may not seem like something that saves you money. Purchasing travel insurance? Do you really need it?

Here’s the thing: if something happens on your road trip, like you get sick or injure yourself, the airline loses or damages your luggage, or your purse gets stolen, you’re covered. Without it, you’re stuck paying the bills or forking over the money for replacements.

I personally think for the peace of mind, it’s worth the cost. Safety Wing is a great choice but there are others out there as well.

Also, check the benefits of your travel credit cards. Many of them offer some sort of travel insurance if you book your flights, rental car, accommodations, etc. with the card.

58. Utilize your gym membership

This is something I recently learned about and thought it was a great tip to pass along.

If you are a member of a nationwide gym chain, like Planet Fitness or LA Fitness, you can use any of their locations to take a shower, use the Wifi, get discounted drinks, etc.

So if you are in a campervan, like to do dispersed camping, or are even just sleeping in your car, you can use these gyms to clean up, check your email, and get a healthy snack.

Plus you can get a workout in and stretch your muscles if you’ve been sitting in a vehicle for a while. See if this is something you can utilize while on the road.

59. Use Rakuten for cashback

If you haven’t heard of Rakuten yet, it’s an amazing computer browser extension that gives you cashback when you buy online.

Basically, you install the extension on your browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.), and then while you are shopping online, it will pop up and tell you if you can get any cashback from the site you are on.

So far I’ve earned over $260 just by having Rakuten installed and buying what I would have purchased anyway! It’s a no-brainer! You can also search to see what sites are offering cashback and how much in case that influences your purchasing decision.

This is a great way to save money when purchasing flights, hotels, or attraction tickets, and you can then add the cashback to your road trip budget!

If you use my referral link below, you’ll get $30 cashback after you make a purchase on a qualifying site of at least $30.

Click this link to get $30 from Rakuten!

Conclusion: Ways to save money on a road trip

And there you have it! 59 awesome tips on how to road trip on a budget!

Did I miss anything? Do you have a tip or trick you use to save money on the road? Shoot me an email and I might include it in this list!

Want to save it for later? Pin it!

Stefanie Henne is an experienced road trip travel blogger who specializes in helping others plan their dream vacation, no matter their budget or time restraints. Go here to read more about Stef's story. If you want to send Stef a message, visit her contact page here.

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Gas prices are rising. Here’s how to stretch your dollar at the pump this summer.

Gasoline prices are still slightly cheaper than this time a year ago, but they’ve been inching up this week. At about $3.51 as of Friday , a gallon of regular costs just a penny less than it did at the same time in 2023, according to AAA.

There’s still some uncertainty ahead, given the record 60 million travelers who were expected to hit the road around the Independence Day holiday, driving up demand. And Hurricane Beryl is forecast to head toward South Texas , where major refiners are based.

Whatever direction gas prices may take after the holiday weekend, there’s no reason not to stretch your dollar as far as it will go at filling stations this summer. Here’s where to look for savings.

Check for big-box specials

Many drivers can find fuel deals where they buy their groceries, said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the accounting and consultancy firm RSM. Retailers such as Target and Walmart announced a wave of discounting last month , and “gasoline is part of that” at many of those stores, said Brusuelas — who expects gas prices to trend broadly lower the rest of this year.

Walmart has been heavily promoting its Walmart Plus annual membership , which includes fuel savings of up to 10 cents per gallon at more than 13,000 stations at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Murphy Express and other retail sites. Last month it wrapped a weeklong promotion that doubled that discount for members filling up at Exxon or Mobil stations. And from July 5 to 18, new members can pay only $49 for their first year — half the usual price.

Kroger, which has been quietly expanding its loyalty program, also launched a special through Tuesday in which customers get four times the “fuel points” when they use most third-party gift cards. Some have saved as much as 14% on gas .

Stack credit card and store discounts

Savvy consumers might find ways to multiply those savings. For example, if a store or a gas station is running a promotion, said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate, you can pay for that purchase with a credit card that offers rewards, taking advantage of two perks at once.

Just be sure to check your cards’ rotating cash-back categories, he said: Starting this month, for example, Chase Freedom Flex customers get 5% off gas purchases through September.

“Make sure that you are aware of when these categories fall, because then you can use the optimal card,” he said.

Rossman acknowledged that “not everyone is an optimizer” when it comes to coupons and discounts. If looking up gas promotions online or keeping track of numerous cash-back categories feels overwhelming, he advises defaulting to a 2% cash back card for savings “across the board.”

“You do need to know yourself and how much complexity you’re willing to take on,” Rossman said. “Consider it relative to cash or debit, where you’re probably not getting any rewards at all. These things can add up over the long haul.”

Mobile apps can also help you save gas money, he said: Many stores offer their own to help streamline special offers, and other standalone apps, such as U pside — which can net users up to $20 per month from gas purchases alone — aggregate deals and reward customers accordingly.

Let tech work for you

The days of printing out step-by-step driving route instructions from MapQuest are long over, but consider TripTik , AAA’s travel-planning app: After you plug in your start and stop coordinates, it will display stations along the way, as well as their pump rates for the day.

In many cases, “there’s a huge difference in gas prices between stations” that are very close to each other, said Andy Gross, a AAA spokesperson. “It’s really quite something.”

The car will always do a better job at maintaining speeds consistently than your right foot, guaranteed.

Ivan Drury, director of insights, Edmunds

Google Maps users can also switch on the app’s eco-friendly route feature, which recommends more fuel-efficient paths that minimize hills and stop-and-go traffic patterns, which can gobble up gas. Most vehicles also come with an “eco mode” that limits how readily your car accelerates when you hit the gas and shuts off energy-consuming features.

“That’s one thing that they’re always tuning,” Ivan Drury, director of insights at the auto research firm Edmunds, said of carmakers. “Eco mode actually smooths out your driving for you,” helping stretch out gas mileage, he said. Cruise control — increasingly bolstered by autonomous technology — can have a similar effect.

“The car will always do a better job at maintaining speeds consistently than your right foot, guaranteed,” Drury said, “and it always has better fuel economy than if you were trying to do it yourself.”

Drive (mostly) like you were taught to

Much of the fuel economy wisdom that was yelled at you as a teenager still holds true, with some important caveats.

In addition to driving smoothly and not speeding, it helps to keep your vehicle in good repair, Drury said. The cost of vehicle maintenance remains high — it’s still up more than 10% from a year ago, despite having ticked down slightly in May for the first time all year — but even minor issues like weak tire pressure, dirty air filters or low oil levels can drag down your fuel economy or devour any savings you might be finding at the pump.

“It is a lot more costly to have to replace or repair major systems with your vehicle,” Drury said. “A little more pain now is going to save you a lot of pain in the future.”

Also consider what your car is carrying — especially things that interfere too much with its weight or wind shear. Lots of drivers might have cashed in recently on dealer specials , like pulling the trigger on customized SUVs with features like extra roof railings or crossbars. If you aren’t using it, take it off, Drury said: “Anything added to your vehicle that has wind resistance, those sap up fuel.”

As it turns out, however, there is some parental guidance we can chuck. Driving with the windows up and the AC blasting? Not necessarily bad for fuel economy anymore. Not only have federal regulations created more efficient cooling systems, but driving faster than around 50 mph with the windows down can create more drag, Drury said.

And unless you drive a performance luxury vehicle or an actual race car, paying for premium gas probably isn’t worth it. “If it doesn’t say ‘required’ or ‘recommended,’ don’t do it. You’re wasting money,” Drury said.

Consider a hybrid

For consumers who want the best fuel economy without going full EV , there are few better options than a hybrid vehicle. Sales of hybrids, once seen as a stop on the road to a fully electric future, surged 53% from 2022 to last year.

“We have seen a massive uptick in this humble hybrid,” Drury said. “[It has] all the conveniences of high fuel-economy ease, no change of lifestyle and none of the downsides that come along with EV ownership.”

A number of automakers are discounting models through the Fourth of July weekend, including Kia, with a lease rebate of around $3,000 for the 2023 Sorento Hybrid, and Ford, which is offering a cash rebate of up to $2,000 if you buy its hybrid 2024 F-150 truck. Terms and amounts vary regionally, so be sure to check the details with your dealership.

Those driving long distances in hybrids can face similar headaches as EV owners, like surge pricing at charging stations, Drury warned. Still, he said, “if you plan out your trip accordingly, you can definitely save more money and frustration.”

J.J. McCorvey is a business and economy reporter for NBC News.

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Pay with cash, fill up early in the week, combine errands, map out fuel-efficient routes, sign up for a fuel rewards program, join a membership club, don’t drive aggressively, skip premium gas, lighten your load, keep up with regular maintenance, check your tire pressure, cool your car smartly, buy discounted gift cards, find other ways to get around, gas prices aren’t falling fast enough. 15 ways to save now.

High gas prices have sent 54% of US adults reeling. Here's how to fuel up for less.

Emma Woodward

Emma Woodward is a personal finance writer with a passion for simplifying tricky financial concepts. She has covered loans, budgeting and credit cards for Bankrate, The Financial Diet, Finch, Gusto and Human Interest. When she's not helping you balance your budget, you can find her writing about real estate, food and restaurant tech.

Kelly Ernst

Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.

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If prices at the pump make your eyes bulge, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is gas prices are down from the record highs they reached in June 2022 when they topped $5 per gallon. The bad news? They’re still too steep for many people’s wallets.

In a recent CNET survey , 54% of respondents said gas gives them the biggest “sticker shock” right now (second only to groceries ). Thanks to inflation, the average cost of regular gas in the US is currently $3.45 per gallon -- but in plenty of states, it costs even more. In my home state of Washington, it’s an average of $4.33 per gallon, and in California, it’s $4.82 per gallon. While these numbers may drop a bit over the summer, that can still put a big strain on your budget .

You can’t control gas prices, but you can cut down on how much you spend to fuel up. Here’s how.

Prices vary from gas station to gas station, so it pays to look at several options. Use apps like GasBuddy and Gas Guru to compare prices at nearby stations and go for the cheapest one.

The average American uses around 500 gallons of gas per year for each registered vehicle, according to the American Petroleum Institute. Choosing the station that’s 25 cents less per gallon could save you $125 per year at that mileage.

Many gas stations charge a processing fee -- typically five to 10 cents per gallon -- if you pay with a credit or debit card. Paying with cash is an easy way to avoid this added cost. 

Gas prices tend to change from day to day. In most states, the cheapest day to buy gas is earlier in the week -- from Sunday to Tuesday -- according to data from GasBuddy .

Run errands efficiently. Instead of taking multiple trips, hit several stops in one trip. Choosing the right timing for errands also helps. If you get stuck in rush-hour traffic, you’ll sit in the car longer and use more gas.

Fuel efficiency varies depending on traffic, simplicity of the route and road conditions. Choosing the most fuel-efficient route -- especially if it’s one you drive regularly -- can reduce how much gas you use over time. Google Maps has a feature that evaluates fuel efficiency so you can choose the route that consumes the least gas.

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Many grocery stores offer fuel rewards programs. For example, Kroger pays 1 point for every dollar spent at its stores. You can redeem 100 points for 10 cents off per gallon at Kroger/Fred Meyer gas stations. Other major grocery stores with fuel rewards programs include Safeway, Stop & Shop and Piggly Wiggly.

My family maximizes savings by filling up both of our vehicles at the same time when redeeming fuel rewards.

Many membership clubs -- including Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s -- have their own fuel stations with discounted prices. You usually pay a membership fee to join the club and use their stations, but the savings could be worth it.

Learning to drive differently can boost your highway gas mileage by 15% to 30% and your city mileage by 10% to 40%, according to the US Department of Energy . Stay safer and reduce your gas consumption by:

• Accelerating slowly
• Maintaining a steady speed
• Leaving plenty of space between vehicles
• Braking gently
• Avoiding idling
• Shifting gears strategically
• Using cruise control for longer trips

Premium gas can cost over 50 cents more per gallon than regular gas. If your car is designed to run on regular gas, it won’t perform any better on premium, so the splurge isn’t worth it. 

If your car is designed for premium gas, paying extra makes sense. Regular gas could damage the engine and lead to higher vehicle maintenance costs.

Every extra 100 pounds you carry or tow can boost your gas costs by up to 3 cents per gallon, according to the DOE. So, remove extra items from your vehicle and unhitch your trailer when you’re not using it.

Your car will get its best gas mileage if you take care of it. Change your oil regularly -- using the manufacturer’s recommended motor oil -- and replace the air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles to help your car run more efficiently and cut back on gas costs.

Underinflated tires can cause drag as you drive, so your car needs to work harder. Keeping your tires properly inflated can increase fuel efficiency by up to 3.3%, according to the DOE. 

Using your car’s air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by more than 25%, according to the DOE . That said, rolling down your windows creates wind resistance, which can also reduce fuel efficiency. If you’re choosing between using AC and rolling down your windows, the best option depends on how fast you’re driving.

When driving under 55 mph, opening your windows is the best option for gas savings. If you’re driving 55 mph and over, roll up your windows and turn on the AC.

You can purchase discounted gift cards on sites like CardCash and Gift Card Granny. Look for gift cards to your gas station of choice as well as other local stations.

There are plenty of ways to get from point A to point B besides hopping in your car. If you’re going somewhere nearby, try walking, biking or even investing in a moped . For farther destinations, consider public transportation or carpooling with co-workers.

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Feel Safer When Making Pit Stops On A Road Trip With This Tip

I f you're into true crime, you probably can already guess what dangers lie at a pit stop in the middle of nowhere. But when you're on a road trip and need gas, food, or just a break, it can feel like you have no other place to stop. However, you likely do have another choice than a secluded gas station or convenience store and a much safer one at that. Next time you're on a road trip, look out for truck stops to ensure you remain in a populated, well-serviced area.

If something goes wrong at an isolated pit stop in a remote area, it could take a dangerously long amount of time for someone to come for help. Because of this, when you stop at a gas station or convenience store, you are in a very vulnerable position against anyone with bad intentions. While they are useful options when you need them, gas stations and convenience stores are rather risky. In fact, according to the FBI's 2016 report, gas stations and convenience stores are two of the locations with the highest crime rates in the United States. 

Read more: Safety Items You Should Pack For Your Next Road Trip

Why Truck Stops Can Be A Safer Option

Truck stops are service stations where there is likely to be a handful of other travelers, sufficient light, and adequate telephone and WiFi service. These factors are extremely useful in making sure the environment is safe for you to stop. This is especially true if you are trying to stay safe during your late-night road trip . At those hours, there are often fewer people on the road and dim lighting can make crime more accessible. And in general, crime rates are the highest in the late evening.

While a truck stop might be your best bet for a safe pit stop, safety isn't guaranteed. It's best to look at reviews of the places you plan to stop before you head out on the road where telephone service could become unstable. Furthermore, you should plan your rest stops for your road trip so that the points on your route where you expect you will need gas, food, or bathroom stops line up with the more populated, safer truck stops.

Read the original article on Explore .

Wallethub ranks Texas No. 1 state to take a road trip. See the rest of the state rankings

Looking for a road trip this summer? Look no further than Texas. 

According to WalletHub , Texas is the best state for road trips.  

Some of their reasoning included available attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, amusement parks and scenic byways. 

Here is a look at their list. 

Ranking the states as best summer road-trip destinations 

• North Carolina 
• Pennsylvania 
• South Dakota 
• North Dakota 
• South Carolina 
• New Hampshire 
• Mississippi 
• Massachusetts 
• West Virginia 
• New Mexico 
• Washington 
• New Jersey 
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island 

Texas Natural Attractions

Exploring the natural attractions in Texas offers a range of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Here are some must-see natural destinations for a Texas road trip:

Big Bend National Park

• Santa Elena Canyon: Hike along the Rio Grande and enjoy the stunning views of the canyon walls.
• Chisos Basin: Explore the scenic trails and enjoy the panoramic vistas.
• Hot Springs Historic District: Soak in the natural hot springs along the Rio Grande.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

• Guadalupe Peak: Hike to the highest point in Texas for breathtaking views.
• McKittrick Canyon: Explore the colorful foliage and crystal-clear streams, especially beautiful in the fall.
• Salt Basin Dunes: Wander through the vast white gypsum dunes.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

• Lighthouse Trail: Hike to the iconic Lighthouse rock formation.
• Scenic drives: Enjoy the scenic drives through the second-largest canyon in the U.S.
• Outdoor activities: Participate in horseback riding, mountain biking and camping.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

• Enchanted Rock: Climb the massive pink granite dome for stunning views of the Texas Hill Country.
• Hiking trails: Explore the various trails around the rock.
• Stargazing: Experience excellent stargazing opportunities due to the minimal light pollution.

Texas gas prices

There's a lot to see in the state and you're going to stop a lot for gas. According to AAA , the average price of gas in Texas is $3.08. Compared to states like California ($4.81), Michigan ($3.67) and Florida ($3.44) people might save a little more with a Texas road trip.

Columbus gas prices fall after holiday weekend

by WSYX Staff

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Average gasoline prices in Columbus fell 11.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.47, according to GasBuddy's survey of 500 stations in Columbus.

Prices in Columbus are 18.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 16.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Columbus was priced at $3.15 on Sunday, while the most expensive was $4.35. The lowest price in the state Sunday was $2.91, while the highest was $4.35.

The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.46. The national average is up 3.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Historical gasoline prices in Columbus and the national average going back ten years:

• July 8, 2023: $3.31 (U.S. Average: $3.52/g)
• July 8, 2022: $4.64 (U.S. Average: $4.70/g)
• July 8, 2021: $3.06 (U.S. Average: $3.15/g)
• July 8, 2020: $2.24 (U.S. Average: $2.19/g)
• July 8, 2019: $2.76 (U.S. Average: $2.75/g)
• July 8, 2018: $2.78 (U.S. Average: $2.85/g)
• July 8, 2017: $2.30 (U.S. Average: $2.26/g)
• July 8, 2016: $2.02 (U.S. Average: $2.24/g)
• July 8, 2015: $2.66 (U.S. Average: $2.76/g)
• July 8, 2014: $3.44 (U.S. Average: $3.65/g)

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

Dayton: $3.26, down 20.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.47

Ohio: $3.40, down 12.2 cents per gallon from last week's $3.52

Cincinnati: $3.46, down 10.9 cents per gallon from last week's $3.57.

"The national average price of gasoline has nudged higher over the last week as oil prices have continued to push toward multi-month highs. While it looks like this recent rise could be restrained for now, Hurricane Beryl is a stark reminder that hurricane season could play a role in prices in the weeks ahead," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "For now, we'll likely continue to see some fluctuations in either direction with the national average moving up, but as we approach August and the peak of hurricane season, there remains a risk that the national average could surge temporarily if we see a major storm in the wrong place."