Go for cruise control. Plan a route that lets you travel at constant speed and bypass congested areas. That means avoiding those two-lane roads with stoplights. If you have an automatic transmission, use an overdrive gear at cruising speeds.

A lead foot is heavy on the wallet. Slamming on the gas or the brake wastes gas and creates the same amount of carbon monoxide emissions as 30 minutes of steady driving.

Speed and your gas tank will bleed. Once you hit the open road, think twice. If you drive at 70 miles per hour instead of 55 mph, you will lose 17 percent of your car's fuel economy. Driving 65 miles per hour is not much better either. You will lose nearly 10 percent in fuel economy.

Don't buy what you don't need. Premium, high-octane fuels are not necessarily better for your car just because they are premium, high-octane fuel. In fact, such fuels do not provide any greater fuel efficiency, and many cars are designed to use regular low-octane fuel. So check your owner's manual to see what your car requires.

Be cool about keeping cool. If you really must park in the sun, do not turn up the air conditioner as soon as you get back in the car. Drive for a bit with the windows down to let out the excess heat first. Otherwise, the A/C will serve as a drag on the engine's efficiency.

Early to rise, early to save. Plan your driving so you avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours. You'll save gas . . . and your temper.

Lose the junk in your trunk. For every 100 pounds of excess weight in your trunk, your car can lose one percent of fuel economy. Pack light.

Pamper your-four-wheeled pet. Keeping your tires inflated is a quick way to insure your get the best gas mileage. For every 3 pounds your tires are below their recommended pressure, your fuel economy can drop one percent. The harder your car has to work, the more visits you will make to the gas station. That is why it is always smart to have your car's oil, transmission and spark plugs checked before a road trip.

Pamper yourself. If you are taking a vacation road trip, consider a destination that does not require that your drive everywhere once you have arrived. Pedestrian-friendly locations are worth considering, as are cities with good public transit options. Otherwise, you will spend more money on gas, a lot of energy in traffic, and less time getting the rest you need.

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