When gasoline prices climb, a handful of simple driving habits can stretch each tank a little farther, experts say. Consumer Reports manager Michael Crossen and automotive analysts Sean Tucker of Kelley Blue Book and David Bennett of AAA recommend driving at around 65 mph, using cruise‑control, shedding excess weight and drag, keeping tires properly inflated and maintaining the vehicle, as well as planning trips or carpooling. Taken together, these tweaks can boost mileage by up to 14 percent, easing the pinch on drivers’ wallets and trimming carbon emissions.
The guidance matters because higher fuel consumption not only adds to household expenses but also contributes to greenhouse‑gas emissions. Better mileage means fewer gallons burned, which helps curb the climate impact of transportation—a sector that still accounts for a large share of U.S. emissions. By adopting the recommended practices, drivers can both save money and play a small part in the broader effort to limit warming.