Handling Gas Mileage On Road Trips?

Answer 1

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.