Ways to Save on Fuel when Moving Cross Country

Let's face it, the economy is making things a little tough, and it doesn't help that we're paying much more for fuel than we would like. In fact, if you're moving cross-country, you've no doubt considered what it's going to cost to fuel your personal vehicle (and a rental truck, if you've considered that route) for the long trip across the country.  And the result probably fails to make you smile.  

While using MoveBuilder means you don't have to worry about fueling the moving truck, you'll likely spend money fueling your personal vehicle unless you're planning to ship your vehicle and fly.  Thankfully there are simple things you can do to lessen the amount you spend on fuel, and in effect, lower the total cost of your move.

Take a look at these great ways to save on fuel when you're moving cross-country: 

Keep your car well maintained.  Good maintenance simply helps your car perform better. Change the oil, engine coolant, filters and spark plugs at regular intervals. And don't forget to have your tires rotated with each oil change.

Choose interstates over scenic routes.  Keeping a consistent speed on the interstate rather than stop and go through small towns is a gas-saver.  Just turn on the cruise control and hit the road.

Lighten your load. Of course you'll want to keep essentials with you, but try to minimize the amount you pack into your car. If driving over a speed bump is out of the question because the trunk is so overloaded, you'll probably want to unload a little.  Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires require more energy to turn which consumes more gas. So make it a habit to check tire pressure as often as possible.

Avoid idling. If you're going to be parked for a lengthy stretch of time, it's best to just turn your engine off.  Letting it idle causes it to burn fuel unnecessarily. 

Drive sensibly.  Aggressive driving won't help you maximize your fuel or money; so try to avoid braking and accelerating abruptly. It's best to maintain a steady speed by following the speed limit and putting cruise control to good use. It's also recommended that you drive in high gear or overdrive which reduces engine speed, saving both gas and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.

Moving can be costly.  As of today, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average for regular unleaded is $3.56.  Considering the damage that number can do to your pocketbook, it just makes good sense to learn ways to save on fuel when you're moving cross-country. Using these easy steps just might help you stretch your hard-earned dollar farther.

By-the-way, if you're considering truck rental, U-Pack Moving offers a great truck rental fuel calculator to help you determine how much you can expect to pay to fuel a rental truck.