How To Save Time And Money On Your Holiday Road Trip

December 11, 2015

AAA predicts that close to 90 million Americans will travel by car for Christmas and other holidays this December. With the holiday season already being an expensive time of year, you may be looking for any opportunity to cut back on spending. Your holiday road trip can be a great place to start. Tuning up your car and traveling smart can save you precious time and money during one of the most stressful travel periods of the year.

Prepare Your Car

Have a tune up if you're taking a long trip. Getting your oil changed, tires rotated and everything looked over might cost a bit up front, but you can relax knowing things are in order. Even if you do have a roadside assistance subscription, you may end up waiting longer than usual on busy travel days if you are stranded. Roadside assistance and tow trucks can also be expensive, but being stranded can ruin your plans and create extra costs, especially if it makes you miss a flight.
If you don't need a full tune-up, at least check the condition of your battery and tires before heading out. Blown tires, flats, and dead batteries are some of the most common reasons for getting stranded.
Make sure you bring your spare set of keys. Calling a locksmith can cost up to $60 or more. If you're far from home it's not really possible to have someone run and get your spare keys.
Check your tire pressure. As the temperature fluctuates, tire pressure can change too. Underinflated tires can reduce your mileage by .3 percent. On the other hand, keeping your tires properly inflated can increase your gas mileage by about 3.3 percent.
If you haven't already, get your car fully prepared for winter with our tips on winter car care.

Plan Your Trip

Avoid traveling through cities at peak times. Sitting in stop and go traffic can take a major toll on your fuel economy. Generally speaking, traffic dies down between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and after 7 p.m. Keep in mind that many people travel the day before a holiday so they can make it to their destination ahead of time. However, traffic will typically be much lighter on actual holidays.
Pack light. Having more suitcases means driving with a heavier load, which leads to worse gas mileage. According to the EPA, you can improve your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent for every 100 pounds of excess items you remove from your vehicle. Keep in mind that you also might receive large or heavy things as gifts and you'll want to save room for them in the car.
Avoid high speeds and angry driving. The stress of holiday driving might put you in a bad mood, but it's best to calm down while driving. Aggressive driving such as speeding, accelerating quickly and braking suddenly can reduce your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in town.
Don't idle to warm up your car. Modern engines are efficient enough to drive right after starting. Let your engine run just long enough for the RPM fall into its normal idling speed, which should take no longer than 30 seconds even in cold weather. Your engine will warm up much faster when you're driving than just idling. Plus, idling can waste up to a quart of gas every 15 minutes.

Donate A Car For A Great Tax Deduction

The holidays might be a stressful time to travel, but getting your car ready ahead of time and driving calmly can make it much easier on you. With seasonal and year-end deals, the holidays are also a great time to consider upgrading to a new car and getting a tax deduction for your old one. If you choose to buy a new car this season, let Wheels For Wishes take your unwanted vehicle off your hands!

We offer free pick-up or towing, and you can get a tax deduction just in time for the New Year. Any donation we receive online before 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31 will count for this year's taxes. On top of a tax deduction, our program also benefits local Make-A-Wish chapters and helps them grant the wishes of kids in your area!

To donate your vehicle, please call 1-855-278-9474 or donate a car online with our online donation form.