Follow These Tips From The New AAA Fuel Guide to Spend Less on Gas

Don’t be surprised if you see a small uptick in gas prices while you’re taking that Labor Day weekend road trip.

The good news is AAA predicts those higher prices won’t last past this weekend, and we’ll be enjoying lower gas prices as we say goodbye to summer and head into fall.

AAA forecasts the national average gas price will drop to $2.70 per gallon this fall. That’s 14 cents less than today’s average price of $2.84 and more than a quarter cheaper than this year’s record-high average price of $2.97 per gallon, which was set back in May.

While we wait for gas prices to drop with the falling autumn leaves, AAA has helpful tips for drivers to save money in its recently released 2018 Gas Watcher’s Guide. Here are a few nuggets of advice from the 12-page brochure:

• Before You Go: Plan out trips ahead of time to consolidate how often you’ll need to drive. For example, you’ll save on fuel if you go to a shopping center where you can run all your errands in one stop instead of taking multiple trips throughout the week.
• On the Road: Maintain steady, moderate speeds to get the best fuel economy. Try to not accelerate quickly or stop suddenly.
• At the Pump: Bypass mid-grade and premium fuel and fill up with regular grade unless your car’s engine specifically requires higher-grade fuel.
• Maintenance Reminder: Keep your tires inflated at optimum pressure levels as underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy — and create a safety hazard. Check the driver’s side door jamb for information on the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.

Download the entire guide as a PDF for more tips on saving money on transportation costs. Free gas-price apps like AAA Mobile for Apple  or Android or GasBuddy for Apple    or Android will help you find the cheapest gas in town to also keep your costs down.

Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.