At times, it almost seems as if gas prices are all anyone is talking about. There is quite a bit of confusion, fear and blame to go around, but hardly any solutions to the problem. For many, balancing the gas prices into the budget can be near impossible, which is why looking for ways to save on gas is an increasingly important topic. With these ten tips you will be able to maximize the amount of gas you get per gallon as well as limit the amount of fill ups you need, so you can save a little money. Whether you are in for long commutes or live near a metropolitan area these tips will have your gas stretching its way to the next fill up.

1. Fill Up Times Are Important
Many people tend to pull into a gas station whenever they are ready to fill up. One simple trip to getting more gas for your money is to head to a gas station at night or in the early morning. When you fill up at these times the ground is still cold, which will allow you to get the gasoline while it is heavier, thus filling up your gas tank a little bit more. If you make getting gas a pre-work ritual every time you feel up then you will certainly reap the benefits of being an early bird. It is also important to not fill the tank all the way up. When you do this the gas burns slightly faster, so give yourself a limit each time you fill up, so you will be able to stretch your dollar a little further.

2. Always Shop Around
Just like other products, shopping around for the best bargain is always a great idea. Sometimes, people get set in their ways and find one gas station that they always frequent. This can be one of the parts though. Breaking routines can often be difficult, especially when you need to fill up before or after work. There are many simple ways to find the best gas prices in town these days though. One way is to do an online search before you go, there are many sites dedicated to helping you find the best price there is. There are also many different gas apps for smart phones too that will even GPS you to the correct destination. It is also important to check to see if there are any cash deals with the store. Many gas locations will give you a discount if you pay in cash, which is always useful in the long run!

3. Monitor Your Driving
One of the easiest ways to save money on gas is to monitor how you drive. There are many common mistakes most drivers make that drain gasoline. For starters, slow your vehicle down. Most cars are designed to hit their best gas mileage around 60 MPH, but every 5 miles over the speed is money you are losing. You can also shut off your air conditioning and roll up the windows to help your car get the best gas mileage. Allowing the car to sit with the engine running while you are waiting to pick someone up, picking up food, or other task where the car is not actually in motion can really hinder the amount of gas you burn. If you know you will be waiting turn off the car and enjoy the extra mileage you get on the vehicle. Also, watching your acceleration at lights, remaining patient in traffic and taking it easier on the road will generally save you some gas, while bringing some harmony to your life.

4. Alternative Transportation
If driving is becoming too much of an expenditure then it might be time to look for alternative roots to get you where you’re going. Many cities have a great public transport system that will save you money. The great thing about public transportation is you can buy a pass that will save you money, or if you don’t need to take it often then you can simply pay for the days you need it. Many cities have various different buses that stream out all over town, and in some cases to other towns. Some cities even provide trains and subways systems for a fast alternative to driving. If you’re not interested in public transportation you can always start a carpool group with your colleagues at work, that will help lower everyone’s gas bill and will even give you access to certain lanes on the highway.

5. Avoid Traffic
Another simple way to save your gas is to work around traffic. Thanks to today’s technology there are many apps and GPS devices that will allow you to take alternative routes so you can avoid any traffic jams. If this still doesn’t work for your needs then you might want to consider staying at work longer so you can avoid the afternoon rush, or perhaps even leaving for work earlier to avoid the early morning grind. Many people try to work out schedules with their boss so they can come in earlier and lit slightly before the traffic craze begins. It might also be better if you walk to lunch instead of getting in the car and finding a restaurant during the lunch peak.

6. Clean Out The Car
With gas prices so high the last thing you need in your vehicle is heavy equipment, or junk that you don’t need right now. A lot of people tend to have extra things in their car that often weight down the vehicle and thus cause the car to use more gas. Bike ramps, over the hood ramps and even random storage items you might keep in your car can all be removed so you can save on gas mileage. It is also a good idea to ensure there is no trash in the car and that all extra items, such a phone or mp3 player charger, are unplugged. When you take out all of the extra your car will be able to run a lighter load and won’t have to try as hard to move, so you will be able to keep those few extra gallons that are typically weighing down your budget.

7. Car Check-Ups
Make sure you car gets a trip to the mechanic once a year so you can ensure everything is working properly. Sometimes, there is something wrong with the car that goes unnoticed to you, which can cause your car to use more gasoline than it typically should. When you have a tune up you will be given professional advice about the way your car is running as well as if you are using the proper oil and coolants for the car. Keeping your car running perfectly will help ,maximize your car mileage as well as ensure you that you aren’t looking into any repairs that could be avoided in the future. Just like you, a trip to the doctor for a checkup can save a lot of money and damage in the long run.

8. Plan Out Your Errands
Having a car to help run errands is a great luxury, but when gas in tight it is always best to keep errands to a minimum. If you can plan out the days in which you need to run errands and try to get everything done in one day. This will save you gas in the sense that you won’t have to leave the home every day and fight through traffic to finish what needs to be done. If possible, choose to shop in areas that close to one another so you can choose to walk to each of the stores instead of getting in the car and driving to each one. If you can schedule ir right, perhaps choose to run errands on a day in which you know you will need to get gas, this way you will come up with gas in the car and your errands completed. Of course, if there is anyway to run errands that are closer to home, then it is always best just to walk to them!

9. Choose Your Roots Efficiently
In many towns and cities there are more than one way to get to a location. Sometimes, it is best to know all of your routes and the general traffic they get during the day in order to make sure you will get efficient gas mileage. It is typically wiser to choose a route that involves little traffic, or areas that have fewer stop signs or lights. These areas tend to burn more gas because you are always stopping and going. If at all possible, choose a route that has your drive on the highway for a small portion of the trip so that you get to where you need to be faster with minimal stops on the way. This trick will ensure that you won’t get stuck in traffic and will also burn the least around of gas possible.

10. Gas Efficient Vehicles
If you’re not willing to play the waiting game when it comes to gas prices then looking into a gas efficient vehicle might be the best bet for you. If you drive a larger vehicle, like an SUV or Hummer, then you probably spend more than your grocery bills worth of money in gas each month. With a gas efficient car you will be able to fill up less and spend less when you do fill up. There are many efficient cars on the market, so choosing the right vehicle for you can be tricky. Many cars today comes with an electrical option that allows you to charge you car and use the cars gasoline as its backup method. Other cars just use less gasoline to get around and have smaller gas tanks. If you are truly dedicated to spending less then you might want to look into buying a motorcycle or moped that get you from place to place around town.

As gas prices continue to sky rocket it is important to maintain your confidence. With these ten tips you will be able to save a little on the gas you need, which can go a long way when it needs to. Although it is hard not to be able to take out the car for a drive whenever you want, with these tips you might save enough gas and money to be able to splurge every once in awhile.