With air travel costs on the rise, many Americans are opting for a summer road trip instead. According to recent trends, 64% of people are planning a road trip, marking a ‘Road Trip Renaissance.’ However, auto costs are also high, with national average gas prices nearing $4 due to troubles in the Mideast, record prices for cars, and auto insurance premiums hitting new highs.

Strategies for Saving

To save money on your summer road trip, consider being strategic about gas purchases. Choose a destination that’s not too distant and use AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator to estimate costs. Additionally, 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.

Other tips include opting for regular gas instead of premium if it’s recommended for your vehicle, monitoring your speed, removing unnecessary weight from your trunk, and taking advantage of fuel rewards programs. Avoiding peak travel times can also help you save money on hotel prices, rental-car rates, and gas prices.

Performing preventative maintenance on your car before embarking on your trip can also help you avoid costly repairs. Consider doing a tune-up to head off potential mechanical issues before they become more expensive to fix. Reviewing your car insurance coverage annually can also help you save money by comparison shopping, raising deductibles, or lowering coverage limits.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.