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(May 26, 2011) – The unofficial start of the summer travel season is upon us and many families are gearing up for a long awaited getaway. There are easy ways to make every gallon of gas go further. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), in partnership with the I-95 Corridor Coalition and transportation agencies along the East Coast, is providing some advice to help travelers save some green while being green.
Although fuel costs are starting to fall from nearing record highs, prices are still more expensive than this time last year. SHA is part of the Eco-driving campaign developed by the I-95 Corridor Coalition involving transportations agencies from Delaware, Maryland, New York, and North Carolina. The coalition’s website is
www.i95coalition.org for more information.
“The I-95 Corridor Coalition and partners have identified easy ways for motorists to save money before going away for vacation,” said Neil J. Pedersen, Chairman of the I-95 Corridor Coalition and SHA Administrator. “It makes sense to save money and help provide a cleaner environment.”
Here are some suggestions by the I-95 Corridor Coalition and SHA. Drivers can easily reduce their fuel cost by up to $80 for a 700 mile round-trip journey.
Before Starting
- Get the junk out of your trunk: Removing extra items from a vehicle saves gas. Every 100 pounds in a vehicle can reduce miles per gallon by up to two percent.
- Keep tires properly inflated: Keeping your tires properly inflated translates into a free tank of gas a year and reduces CO2 emissions too. You can also consider purchasing fuel-efficient tires.
- Change your oil: Motorists can improve your fuel economy by one-to-two percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.
- Replace your air filter: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can increase your mileage by 10 percent.
- Tighten your fuel cap: Tightening gas caps can save as much as 30 gallons of gasoline which could be lost annually to evaporation.
- Reduce aerodynamic drag: Removing luggage racks, roof-top carriers, and ski racks when they are not needed cuts down on drag, which makes a motor work harder.
On the Road
- Obey the posted speed limit: Every five miles over the 60 mph limit is equivalent to paying 20 extra cents per gallon for gas.
- Avoid idling: There is no need to warm up an engine. An automobile may burn more than half a gallon of fuel for every hour spent idling.
- Keep on rolling in traffic: Slow-and-go is always better than stop-and-go. It can take 20 percent more fuel to accelerate from a full stop than from five miles per hour. Try to anticipate stops and coast as much as possible.
- Use air conditioning only at higher speeds: Air conditioning can reduce mileage significantly, by as much as 20 percent. Roll down the window.
- Use cruise control: Using cruise control on 10,000 miles driven in a year could save you nearly $200 and save more than 60 gallons of fuel.
- Combine trips: Plan ahead so all errands can be accomplished in one trip. Go to the furthest destination first and then work back.
Plan Ahead
- e-Road Ready 2011: SHA will suspend active lane closures where possible to accommodate Memorial Day travelers, but there are still construction zones with narrowed lanes to be aware of. e-Road Ready 2011-This online brochure will alert motorists of major construction projects in Maryland.
- SHA’s CHART site: SHA’s CHART (Coordinated Highway Action Response Team) website offers travelers live traffic information, incidents reports and access to live traffic cameras. Log on before driving. CHART is accessible by logging onto http://www.chart.state.md.us/default.asp.
- I-95 Corridor Coalition: Covering 15 states and 24 metropolitan areas along the I-95 corridor, www.i95travelinfo.net offers travelers speed and congestion information on the I-95 corridor, including I-95, the beltways surrounding each major city, and all associated routes that together make up the corridor.
In addition to these tips, taking the bus or vanpooling can save you money on gas, and puts fewer vehicles on the road, which reduces harmful emissions and pollutants entering our air, and increases the longevity of our road system. Maryland has more than 100 ridesharing lots available 24 hours a day throughout the year. Learn more about SHA’s rideshare program through a GIS-based map by logging on to
http://sha.md.gov/pages/parkandridemaps.aspx?PageId=248&d=56.
The I-95 Corridor Coalition is an alliance of transportation agencies, toll authorities, and related organizations, including public safety, from of Maine to Florida, with affiliate members in Canada. It enables transportation agencies to work together to improve transportation systems and reduce congestion, which is better for the environment.
SHA and the I-95 Corridor Coalition wish you safe travel. Remember to buckle up, pay attention behind the wheel and never drink and drive. Plan ahead and get plenty of rest before driving.
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