Fuel-Saving Tips That Actually Work

Updated November 13, 2026

You can’t control what gas costs, but you can control how much of it you use. These habits are simple, cost nothing, and add up over a year of driving.

Driving habits

• Accelerate and brake gently. Hard starts and late braking waste the energy you just paid for. Looking further ahead and coasting toward red lights is one of the easiest savings there is.
• Ease off the highway speed. Aerodynamic drag grows quickly with speed; fueleconomy.gov notes that gas mileage usually drops rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. Cruise control helps keep speed steady on flat roads.
• Don’t idle for long. An idling engine gets zero miles per gallon. If you are parked and waiting, turning the engine off is usually better (hybrids and start-stop systems do this automatically).
• Combine errands. A warm engine is more efficient than a cold one, so one longer trip with several stops beats several short trips from a cold start.

Vehicle care

• Keep tires at the recommended pressure. The correct pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver’s door – not the maximum on the tire sidewall. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and wear.
• Remove extra weight and roof racks. Cargo boxes and bike racks add drag even when empty.
• Use the grade your owner’s manual specifies. If your car is designed for regular, premium will not improve mileage. See our guide regular vs. premium gas.
• Follow the maintenance schedule. Clean air filters, correct motor oil and a healthy engine all help efficiency.

Buying fuel

• Compare nearby stations. Prices can differ noticeably within a few miles, especially near highway exits.
• Watch for cash vs. card prices. Some stations charge more for card payments. EIA’s survey records the cash self-serve price.
• Know your local average. Checking your state or regional average tells you whether a price is a good deal.

Plan ahead

Before a road trip, use our fuel cost calculator to estimate the fuel bill. Knowing your car’s real-world MPG makes the estimate much better: fill the tank, reset the trip meter, and at the next fill-up divide the miles driven by the gallons you put in.

For vehicle-specific ratings and more tips, the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA run fueleconomy.gov.