As I’m sure most people have noticed, going to the gas station lately is about as fun as going to the dentist.

If for some reason you’ve been living under a rock or have been lucky enough to lead a full and successful life without a car, the price to keep engines running is outrageous. Right now the price per gallon for gas is between roughly $3.40 and $3.70. The prediction is by the end of summer we’ll be happily paying $4 a gallon.

Driving has become a fact of life in the United States. With the exception of major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, public transportation is unreliable and ineffective. For those of us who have to get behind the wheel on a daily basis, changes in driving patterns can help make that gas go a little farther.

Advertisement

Exorcise the speed demon.

Many people (myself included) view speed limit signs as a cute suggestion. It seems silly to do 65 mph on the freeway when the car can easily maintain 85, right?

Besides keeping drivers ticket-free, going slower gets better mileage. Many cars are designed to get optimal mileage at about 55 mph. The farther the needle is pushed above that speed, the fewer miles per gallon drivers receive. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, cars are 15 percent more fuel efficient at 55 mph than at 65 mph.

Firing off the line when the light turns green also burns up fuel faster. Unless you’re racing against the Fonz for the pink slip to his T-Bird, go ahead and accelerate slowly.

Idle cars are the devil’s workmanship.

Drive-thrus are the enemy. Waiting in line at Wendy’s for a frosty with the air conditioning blasting is a great way to waste gas without going anywhere.

If at all possible, get out of your car instead of keeping it in idle. Turning the car back on will use less gas than letting it run for a few minutes, according to the EPA. Any time the car is idle for more than one minute it saves money to turn it off.

Advertisement*

So instead of using a drive-thru, try walking in. If you get stuck at the tracks because a train is coming, just shut off your car and get out to stretch.

Kill as many birds as possible with one stone.

Try planning out the errands that need to be run, and then do them during one trip.

If you’re going to leave for something like a doctor’s appointment, try grocery shopping before coming home.

Also, if you have errands that are not overly essential, wait until you are doing other necessary driving to get them done.

Carpooling falls under this category, too. If you need to buy something from Kroger and so does your roommate or neighbor, offer to drive them. Also try to set up a carpool schedule with coworkers.

Buy a newer, cheaper, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

You know, like a bike.

Wenger is a senior studying Spanish and journalism.