If you’re planning a weekend road trip to Big Bear today, know that it’ll cost you to fuel up. According to the latest figures, the national gas price average, now at $2.491/gallon, has reached a four-year high. In Orange County, the average price is even steeper than the nationwide average, rising to $3.185/gallon. And in the state of California, which boasts some of the priciest gas in the nation, average cost per gallon is $3.147.
“Although prices at the pump shot up over the holidays, now that the holiday season in the rearview mirror, motorists can expect gas prices to trend cheaper this month as we are likely to see a significant drop in gasoline demand,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.
If you need a few practical ways to conserve fuel, AAA has issued this official checklist:
- Accelerate gradually. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
- Anticipate your stops. When approaching a red light, let your foot off the gas as early as possible.
- In summer, drive during cooler parts of the day. Cooler, denser air can boost power and mileage.
- Avoid long warm-ups in the morning. They’re unnecessary and waste fuel.
- Use air conditioning when the temperature climbs. Today’s air conditioners create less drag on the engine than driving with the windows open.
- Maintain recommended tire pressure. Low pressure reduces fuel economy and can damage tires.
- Keep the air filter clean. Clogged filters reduce fuel economy and increase exhaust emissions.
- Drive the speed limit.
