Driving Tips to Help You Increase Gas Mileage

With gas prices remaining unpredictable and road trips on the rise, improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency has never been more important. Whether you're driving a compact car, SUV or hybrid, small changes in your driving habits and maintenance routine can lead to big savings at the pump.

How to increase gas mileage: Save fuel with these easy driving tips

From planning your routes to avoiding rapid acceleration, these proven fuel-saving techniques will help you increase gas mileage, reduce emissions and keep more money in your wallet. In this updated guide, we’ll walk through the top ways to boost fuel economy—plus a few surprising facts you may not know.

Fuel is the second-largest ongoing cost of owning a vehicle, surpassed only by depreciation. But the good news? You can cut down on fuel expenses without upgrading your car. In fact, simple changes to your driving habits can lead to significant savings.

For example, avoiding aggressive acceleration and hard braking can improve your gas mileage by as much as 40% in stop-and-go traffic, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s FuelEconomy.gov. With national average gas prices hovering around $3.50 per gallon in mid-2025, that kind of improvement adds up fast.

Calculate your miles per gallon (MPG)

Are you wondering what your vehicle’s MPG is? Use our calculator to see how you’re doing and then check in from time to time to see if you’re making any progress on increasing your gas mileage.

Top tips to increase gas mileage

Here are our top eco-driving tips to help you increase gas mileage, which, in return, will save you money at the pump.

1. Route planning and carpooling

Before you leave your garage or parking spot, doing some route planning is a smart way to boost overall fuel efficiency. Using apps like Google Maps, Waze and AAA TripTik® can help you to avoid traffic congestion, road closures and construction zones that can waste fuel due to longer periods of idling and stop-and-go driving.

Another way to save on gas use is to group errands into one trip and plan out your stops in a loop rather than making multiple back-and-forth trips. This helps because starting your car when the engine is cold uses more fuel, so combining trips reduces the number of cold starts and maximizes warm-engine efficiency.

Avoiding rush hour driving in heavy traffic can save on fuel usage. Frequent braking, idling and acceleration all waste fuel. If possible, travel during off-peak times to help maintain a steady speed and get better MPG.

Carpooling or ridesharing are other options to save on gas mileage. Sharing a ride to work, school or events cuts down on fuel costs, vehicle wear and emissions. Some states offer carpool lanes (HOV lanes) for cars with two or more people, which can reduce drive time and idling during heavy rush hour traffic.

2. Tire pressure and temperature effects

When it comes to saving fuel, many drivers overlook one of the simplest and most effective ways: proper tire pressure. Your car’s tires play a critical role in how efficiently your vehicle uses gas, and even slight changes in tire pressure can impact fuel economy, safety and tire lifespan.

In addition, as temperatures rise and fall throughout the year, a car’s tire pressure also fluctuates without you even noticing. Understanding how tire pressure and temperature work together can help drivers maintain better mileage throughout the year.

Use this calculator to see how temperature changes affect the overall tire PSI (pounds per square inch).

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%, while significantly underinflated tires can reduce it by the same amount or more.

Regularly checking and adjusting your PSI as temperatures fluctuate is one of the simplest ways to protect your fuel economy, extend tire life and stay safe on the road.

3. Fuel type and additives: What you use matters

Not all gasoline is the same, and gas stations that display the Top Tier™ logo at the pump use fuel that contains higher levels of detergent additives. These additives help keep your engine cleaner over time, resulting in better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and fewer deposits on your car’s fuel injectors and intake valves. In fact, AAA research found that engines that run on non-Top Tier fuel can develop 19 times more carbon deposits.

Stick with the octane recommended for your vehicle. Unless your owner’s manual specifies premium fuel, using it won’t improve your gas mileage or performance. Most vehicles run optimally on regular 87-octane gasoline.

Reconsider aftermarket fuel additives for your car. Many of these additives claim to boost MPG or clean your engine, but results are mixed. Some may provide marginal benefits, but nothing replaces the consistent use of quality fuel and proper vehicle maintenance.

Pro-tip: Using a prepaid pass on toll roads can help avoid stops and increase gas mileage, too.

4. Accelerate gradually

One of the easiest ways to save on fuel is by accelerating smoothly and steadily. Sudden “jackrabbit” starts, where you stomp on the gas as soon as the light turns green, burn significantly more fuel than gentle acceleration. According to the Department of Energy, aggressive driving habits like rapid acceleration lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% on highways and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

On the flip side, accelerating too slowly can also be inefficient. Your engine may struggle to reach its most fuel-efficient operating range, especially in newer vehicles with advanced transmission systems.

The key is a smooth and steady pace that allows your car or truck to shift gears and maintain momentum without wasting fuel.

Bonus tip: Drive like there’s an egg on the gas pedal—press evenly and gently on the accelerator to avoid breaking the egg.

5. Watch your speed

Driving at lower speeds isn’t just about safety; slower driving can save money at the pump. Most vehicles reach their optimal fuel efficiency at speeds between 40 and 50 mph. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. Above 50 mph, aerodynamic drag increases significantly, forcing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel just to maintain the speed.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, reducing your highway speed by just 5 to 10 mph can boost your fuel economy by 7% to 14%. That means if you're typically cruising at 70 mph, dropping to 60 or 65 could help you go farther on every gallon, especially on long road trips.

Bonus tip: Use cruise control on flat highways to maintain a steady speed. This reduces unnecessary acceleration and braking, both of which hurt fuel efficiency.

Tests have shown that using cruise control when driving on level highway roads can save gas. Maintaining a constant speed requires less acceleration and braking. Just remember to avoid using cruise control on wet or slippery roads.

6. Lose unnecessary vehicle weight

Your vehicle works harder when it’s heavier, and that means it uses more fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by up to 1%, especially in smaller vehicles. That might not sound like much, but if you’re carrying around heavy gear, sports equipment or boxes “just in case,” it adds up over time.

Every pound of unnecessary stuff – roof racks, cargo boxes and bike carriers – compound the fuel reduction.

If you’re not using that bike or ski rack or that box of old books, leave them at home, lightening your load to increase gas mileage and improve acceleration and handling.

Bonus Tip: Clean out your trunk and back seat every month. Keeping your car light and drag-free is one of the easiest ways to improve MPG—no tools required.

7. Anticipate stops

Stay aware of traffic patterns and actively scan the road for potential changes to avoid sudden braking or acceleration. When you sense a stop ahead, begin slowing down early by easing off the accelerator, conserving fuel in the process.

Whenever possible, aim to time stoplights carefully to keep your momentum steady and minimize the stop-and-go cycle.

Additionally, consider using technology to your advantage—prepaid passes on toll roads can prevent slowdowns at toll booths, offering a dual benefit of saving time and improving fuel economy. Every second saved in avoiding unnecessary stops contributes to better overall efficiency.

Bonus tip: Using a prepaid pass on toll roads can help avoid stops and increase gas mileage, too.

8. Avoid excessive idling

Idling isn’t just a waste of time—it’s a significant drain on fuel, with larger engines or air conditioning compounding the issue. According to fueleconomy.gov, idling can burn through up to half a gallon of fuel per hour, making it a costly habit for both your wallet and the environment.

Instead, adopt efficient practices such as limiting morning vehicle warm-ups, which are often unnecessary for modern engines. If you’re parked or stuck in non-moving traffic for over a minute, turn off your engine when safe, as restarting typically consumes less fuel than prolonged idling. These small actions can save fuel and reduce emissions over time.

9. Give your car some TLC

Fuel efficiency isn’t just about how you drive—it’s also about how well you care for your vehicle. Simple routine maintenance can go a long way toward helping your car get better gas mileage and last longer.

• Check and maintain tire pressure
  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, underinflated tires can reduce gas mileage by up to 3%. Tire pressure drops roughly 1 PSI for every 10°F decrease in temperature, so check your PSI monthly, especially during seasonal changes, and keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation which you can find in the owner’s manual and the driver’s door jamb.
• Keep your air filter clean
  A clogged or dirty engine air filter can limit airflow, reducing fuel efficiency and engine performance. While newer cars automatically adjust air intake, older vehicles may lose MPG when the filter is dirty. Replacing it regularly helps your engine “breathe” better and operate more efficiently.
• Don’t ignore warning lights
  A faulty oxygen sensor or emissions component can seriously reduce your fuel economy, sometimes by as much as 20%. If your check engine light or other warning light is on, don’t delay diagnostics and repairs. Catching issues early helps keep your car running efficiently and can prevent costly breakdowns.

Final Bonus Tip: Set a monthly “car care day” to check tires, top off fluids and clear out your trunk. A little love now can add up to big fuel savings later.