\n
<\/p>\n
We\u2019re in the middle of the extended Easter holiday weekend, which usually sees millions of Americans taking long road trips to visit family or just get away. But this year, these trips will probably be more costly\u2014at least at the pump. Still, there are steps you can take while driving to save fuel and reduce your overall gas bill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline passed the $4 threshold this week. That\u2019s a price not seen since August 2022, and one that is more than $1 per gallon more expensive than just over a month earlier.<\/p>\n
What is causing these price increases? If you\u2019ve read a newspaper or watched the news in the past month, you can probably guess: Trump\u2019s war with Iran, which has led to nearly complete disruption of oil shipments through the geographically critical Strait of Hormuz, upending global oil supply chains, and leading to a spike in oil prices of more than 50% over the past month.<\/p>\n
As gas is refined from oil, any price increases in crude will eventually (and, usually, quickly) filter down to you at the pumps. How long oil prices will stay high depends on how long the war with Iran drags on\u2014something the average driver has no control over. However, there are three surprising moves you can<\/em> make to help conserve gas in your tank and keep your fuel costs down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes, driving slower really does use less fuel, according to the American Automobile Association. That\u2019s why, in addition to the safety advantages, the AAA and other transportation experts advise drivers to adhere to the speed limits posted.<\/p>\n But why does driving slower save gas? The AAA says<\/a> that it comes down to aerodynamic friction. \u201cOn the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph,\u201d the organization notes.<\/p>\n If you are having trouble slowing down, it may help, mentally, to put a price on your excess speed. The US Department of Energy (DOE) says<\/a> that for every 5 miles per hour driven over 50 MPH, it\u2019s \u201clike paying an additional\u00a0$0.27\u00a0per gallon for gas.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n1. Drive slower<\/h2>\n