With air travel costs rising, many Americans are opting for summer road trips closer to home. However, auto costs can be expensive, with national average gas prices near $4 due to troubles in the Mideast, record car prices, and high auto insurance premiums.
Saving on Gas
To reduce gas costs, choose a destination that’s not too distant and use AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator to estimate costs. Ensure your tire pressure is optimal, avoid gas stations at highway exits that tend to charge more, and use services like GasBuddy to find the best deals.
Additionally, opt for regular gas instead of premium if it’s recommended for your vehicle, monitor your speed, remove unnecessary weight from your trunk, and take advantage of fuel rewards programs.
Avoiding Peak Times
Avoid traveling during the busiest summer times and popular spots to reduce costs. Consider off-peak travel, away from big holidays, preferably midweek, to get lower hotel prices and more affordable rental-car rates.
Use AAA’s TripTik planner to explore under-the-radar locales and avoid crowded tourist traps.
Maintenance and Insurance
Perform preventative maintenance on your car before a long road trip to avoid mechanical issues. Review your auto insurance coverage annually and consider comparison shopping, raising deductibles, or lowering coverage limits to reduce premiums.
Keep in mind that your family circumstances may have changed, and update your insurance provider accordingly. Also, be aware that your credit score can impact your auto insurance rates, so consider using a secured charge card to improve your score.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
