Millions of Americans look forward to road trips each summer.
Parents take vacation from work and children are off the
educational hook for three months. Unfortunately, a crucial
economic reality often throws anticipated plans in the trash:
gasoline prices. In July 2012, the average national retail price of
a gallon of gasoline stood at $3.44, which added up to $68.80 for a
full twenty-gallon tank.
With prices this high, the term "staycation" describes the
economic reality Americans face in the twenty-first century. Crude
oil prices are responsible for approximately 65 percent of retail
gasoline prices, according to the U.S. Energy Information
Administration. Families may try to take those vacations even with
high prices, but they will have to make some sacrifices.
A common practice of drivers during times of high gas prices is
known as hypermiling, a set of techniques designed to maximize fuel
economy and gas mileage in their vehicles. Since most vehicles get
more miles per gallon on the highway than in the city, hypermiling
works well for urbanites and city-dwellers. On the highway,
estimating the cost of the trip beforehand may be the answer.
Consumers are now having to save money to buy gasoline in the
future.
An important tip to keep in mind is to calculate the total cost
of the trip. Many vacationers only calculate the trip going
one-way. Instead, they need to multiply that result by two because
the cost includes driving back from the vacation. For instance, as
of August 21, 2012, the total cost of driving from New York City to
Los Angeles and back again is $1,320.42 with a 2003 Ford Windstar.
Including hotel fees, theme park admission fees and miscellaneous
costs, the total price paid for a vacation can be much higher than
that.
Gas mileage is one of the most critical aspects of going on
vacation or taking any kind of road trip. Gasoline costs can be
responsible for the majority of the costs for the whole trip.
Consumers are painfully aware of these costs and must take them
into account when they make decisions about vacations and pleasure
trips.