Holiday traffic, longer trips, and colder weather can all take a toll on your fuel efficiency. Whether you’re heading out for Thanksgiving, a Christmas road trip, or a New Year’s getaway, smart preparation and fuel-conscious driving can help you avoid waste and keep your travel budget intact. These fuel-saving tips are designed to make your holiday driving more efficient—without sacrificing comfort or time with family.
- Plan Routes Before You Hit the Road
Holiday traffic often leads to detours, delays, and unnecessary idling. Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to plan the most efficient route before you leave. Look for real-time updates, accident alerts, and road closures to avoid getting stuck in stop-and-go conditions that waste fuel.
Bonus: Google Maps now highlights eco-friendly routes when the time difference is negligible, which helps reduce fuel use even more.
- Avoid Peak Travel Times
Whenever possible, drive during off-peak hours. The AAA reports that the worst traffic days are typically the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Friday before Christmas, and the weekend before New Year’s Eve. Leaving early in the morning or late in the evening can help you avoid congestion—and reduce idle time, sudden braking, and excessive acceleration, all of which harm fuel economy.
- Maintain Your Vehicle Before You Depart
Make sure your car is road-ready. Check tire pressure, top off fluids, and replace dirty air filters. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, proper maintenance can improve fuel economy by 4% or more. Underinflated tires, in particular, reduce efficiency and can pose safety risks on long drives.
- Pack Smart and Travel Light
Overpacking is one of the most common ways people unknowingly reduce their vehicle’s fuel economy. Every extra 100 pounds can decrease mileage by about 1%. If you don’t need it, leave it. Also, remove roof racks or cargo boxes when not in use—wind resistance can significantly increase fuel consumption on the highway.
- Use Cruise Control When Appropriate
Cruise control helps maintain a steady speed, which is ideal for conserving fuel on long, flat highway stretches. However, avoid using it on hilly or slippery roads where manual control is safer and more efficient.
- Keep Your Speed in Check
Speeding is not only dangerous—it’s also inefficient. According to fueleconomy.gov, gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. Driving at 65 instead of 75 mph can improve fuel economy by up to 15%.
- Consolidate Stops
If you’re visiting family or running holiday errands, try to group your stops. Starting a cold engine multiple times in one day burns more fuel than making one longer trip. Keeping your engine warm with continuous driving helps maximize fuel efficiency.
- Avoid Prolonged Idling
Warming up your car for more than 30 seconds is unnecessary with modern engines. Excessive idling wastes fuel and adds wear to your vehicle. If you’re waiting to pick someone up or sitting in a parking lot, shut off the engine when possible.
- Choose Fuel-Efficient Accommodations and Stops
Look for hotels or rest stops close to highways to minimize out-of-the-way travel. Some apps like GasBuddy can help you find fuel stations with the best prices along your route, reducing detours and overall gas spend.
- Use a Fuel Rewards Program or Gift Card
If you’re planning multiple fill-ups during your trip, consider buying a gas gift card ahead of time. For example, you can earn cashback at BP with a gift card purchased through Fluz, or browse other station options on the Fluz homepage. Combining rewards with the tips above can enhance your savings further.
Final Thoughts
Holiday driving doesn’t have to come with inflated fuel costs. With a little planning, some vehicle prep, and smarter on-the-road habits, you can save money and reduce your fuel use—so you can spend more on what matters this season.
