How to Improve Your Gas Mileage with Better Driving Habits

Cut your fuel costs with these smart, fuel-efficient driving tips

If you’ve noticed that your gas budget is eating up more and more of your monthly expenses, you’re not alone. Every trip to the gas station seems to deliver more sticker shock than the last, but most drivers overlook the single greatest factor under their control: their own driving habits.

Small changes to how you drive and maintain your vehicle can add up to big savings on fuel. Not only will you reduce your spending on gas, but you’ll also shrink your vehicle’s environmental impact, reducing emissions and extending the life of your car. Ready to start saving? Here’s how you can make the most of every drive by maximizing your fuel efficiency.

Why driving habits matter for gas mileage

You don’t need an engineering degree or a hybrid vehicle to make meaningful improvements in your fuel economy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and leading automotive experts agree: Your day-to-day choices behind the wheel can swing your gas mileage by as much as 30%, sometimes even more.

The good news is that you don’t have to radically change your driving lifestyle or invest in expensive technology. The best way to save money at the pump is to drive smarter, taking advantage of proven techniques that cut fuel use without sacrificing convenience or safety.

Let’s break down the most impactful fuel-saving strategies so you can choose to drive more efficiently every time you start the engine.

Smart driving habits that improve gas mileage

Accelerate and brake smoothly

It’s a simple rule of thumb: The smoother you drive, the less fuel you burn. Rapid acceleration and abrupt stops are usually unnecessary and can drag your fuel economy down significantly. In fact, as reported by the EPA, “aggressive driving” (which includes speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking) can lower your gas mileage by as much as 15% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic, and 10% to 15% on highways.

How to do it:

• Accelerate gradually from stops.
• Anticipate traffic signals so you can coast to a stop instead of slamming your brakes.
• Whenever possible, slow down by easing off the accelerator or downshifting to let the engine help reduce your speed.

Not only does smoother driving save fuel, but it also keeps your car’s brakes and tires in better shape, saving you even more money in the long run.

Maintain a steady speed (use cruise control when appropriate)

Consistency is crucial for fuel efficiency. Fluctuating your speed—speeding up, slowing down, then speeding up again—forces your engine to work harder and consume more gas.

While driving on the highway, activate cruise control to keep a consistent speed. This can lead to efficiency improvements of 7% or more. (Note: Don’t use cruise control in wet, icy, or snowy conditions, as it may decrease driver control.)

For city driving, constantly scan the road ahead and adjust your speed gently. Try to “flow” with traffic to avoid unnecessary stops or sudden speed changes.

Obey the speed limit

Speeding is not only a safety hazard, it’s also bad for your fuel budget. According to the EPA, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. For every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph, it’s like paying an extra $0.18 per gallon for gas (at a price of $3 per gallon).

Every vehicle’s sweet spot for optimal fuel efficiency varies, but it consistently drops at higher speeds due to increased aerodynamic drag and engine load.

Tip:

If you’re tempted to speed to “make up time,” know that the savings in minutes are often not worth the extra fuel burned or the increased risk of accidents and expensive tickets.

Reduce unnecessary idling

When your engine is idling, you’re getting zero miles per gallon. Left unattended, this is an easy way to burn through fuel unnecessarily, especially during cold winter months or summer in stop-and-go traffic.

Contrary to popular belief, restarting your engine does not use more fuel than idling. If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute (except in traffic), turn your engine off. Modern engines are built to handle frequent starts and stops.

Plan and combine your trips

Cold engines are less efficient than warm engines, and every time you drive, your engine needs to “warm up” to its optimal operating temperature. If you can combine errands or appointments into one trip, you’ll save money and time. Try to avoid multiple short trips from a cold start; one longer journey is much more fuel-efficient.

Planning trips also lets you choose routes with less traffic, fewer stops, and better road conditions. Use navigation apps to avoid congestion and idling in heavy traffic.

Vehicle care and maintenance for better MPG

Your driving technique sets the stage for good fuel economy, but your car’s condition is just as important. Regular maintenance can help your engine perform at its best, further optimizing the fuel savings you gain from better driving habits.

Check tire pressure regularly

Under-inflated tires are one of the most common—and preventable—causes of poor fuel economy. Just a few psi (pounds per square inch) below the recommended level increases rolling resistance, making your engine work harder. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your mpg by up to 3%, and reduce tire wear as a bonus.

What to do:

• Check tire pressure at least once a month, and before long trips.
• Inflate the tires to the recommended pressure specified by the manufacturer, which can be found in your owner’s manual or on the sticker located inside the door jamb.
• Remember to check tires when they’re “cold” (before driving more than a mile).

Keep your car tuned up

A car that’s out of tune—sluggish spark plugs, a clogged air filter, old transmission fluid, overdue oil changes—will almost always burn more gas than a well-maintained vehicle.

Routine maintenance steps:

• Replace air filters on schedule, or sooner if you drive on dusty roads.
• Make sure spark plugs are working efficiently.
• Follow your owner’s manual for oil change intervals.
• Address check engine lights promptly; worn oxygen sensors or malfunctioning fuel injectors can dramatically reduce mpg

Remove excess weight from your car

Every extra 100 pounds in your trunk or back seat can reduce your mpg by about 1%–2%. It may not seem like much, but the weight can add up, especially in smaller vehicles.

Easy win:

• Clean out your trunk. Remove golf clubs, toolboxes, and other gear unless you really need them for the current trip.

Take off roof racks and cargo boxes when not in use

If you’re driving around with a roof rack or cargo box on your car 24/7, even when it’s empty, you might be burning through more fuel (and money) than you realize.

Anything that sticks out from your car’s body—roof racks, cargo boxes, bike mounts, even some oversized antennas—creates extra wind resistance. This additional drag requires more fuel to maintain speed.

Additional tips for fuel efficiency

Limit the use of A/C and electrical accessories

Air conditioning and electrical accessories like heated seats, window defrosters, or entertainment systems draw extra power from your engine, increasing fuel consumption. According to the EPA, using A/C can lower your mpg, especially during city driving at lower speeds.

To maximize efficiency, use your car’s ventilation system or open windows at lower speeds, but keep windows closed on the highway as open windows at high speeds can increase aerodynamic drag and cut efficiency. Run the A/C only as needed and turn off unnecessary electronics when they’re not in use.

Choose the right fuel

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking premium fuel equals better performance or better gas mileage. But unless your car specifically requires high-octane gas, you’re likely just paying more for zero benefit.

That’s because modern engines are designed to handle the octane level they were built for—nothing more, nothing less. If your owner’s manual says 87, stick with it. Using premium (usually 91 or higher) in a car that doesn’t need it won’t boost fuel economy, make the engine run smoother, or magically extend its lifespan.

Use recommended motor oil

Using the type and viscosity of oil specified in your owner’s manual helps your engine operate smoothly and efficiently. The EPA notes that using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil can improve fuel efficiency by 1–2%. Avoid using thicker or “high mileage” oil unless your vehicle specifically requires it, as it may increase engine friction and decrease mpg.

Rethink short trips

Cold engines are less efficient, and frequent short trips can dramatically reduce your overall fuel economy. If your destination is less than a mile away, consider walking, biking, or even combining multiple errands into a single trip to avoid repeated cold starts.

Not only will this save fuel, but it also reduces your car’s emissions and wear-and-tear. Plus, you’ll get a little extra exercise!

Factors that affect fuel mileage

It’s important to recognize that no matter how diligent you are with your driving habits and vehicle maintenance, some factors beyond your control can influence your actual fuel economy. Vehicle type and condition, road and traffic conditions, weather, temperature, altitude, load, and even your driving route all play a role. For instance, cold weather, hilly terrain, strong headwinds, or frequent stop-and-go traffic can hurt your mpg.

That said, while you can’t control every variable, you can control your habits. Consistently applying the strategies in this article will, over time, improve your average results, no matter the conditions.

The best part? Improving your gas mileage doesn’t require expensive upgrades or drastic lifestyle changes. By driving gently, keeping your car well-maintained, planning your trips thoughtfully, and being mindful of small energy drains like A/C or excess weight, you can make a real difference in both your fuel costs and your carbon footprint. Even small improvements, like regular tire checks or reducing idling, add up to real savings over weeks and months.

Whether it’s a smoother drive, a lighter trunk, or simply sticking to the speed limit, each step puts more money back in your pocket and helps protect our environment for future generations. So make your next tank of gas go a little further!