Overview
- Coverage from Houston to South Africa links the price jump to Middle East tensions and weaker currencies, which is squeezing transport budgets and feeding into food costs.
- AAA says easing highway speed by 5 to 10 miles per hour can raise fuel economy by up to 14 percent, and avoiding hard acceleration or heavy braking prevents losses of about 5 percent in city traffic and up to 30 percent at higher speeds.
- Keeping tires at the recommended pressure can improve mileage by roughly 0.6 to 3 percent, and shedding extra cargo or roof racks reduces drag with about a 1 percent hit for every 100 pounds carried.
- Drivers can cut spending by using price apps such as GasBuddy or AAA to find cheaper stations, planning routes to combine errands, and skipping premium fuel unless a vehicle specifically requires it.
- Experts note longer-term options like hybrids or electric cars can lower fuel outlays, though buyers face higher upfront costs and must weigh charging access and electricity prices.