Summer is right around the corner, and you know what that means. Road trips! Traveling by car is one of the most popular modes of transportation when it comes to vacationing. It’s proposed that 200 million Americans will be taking a road trip this summer. Including urban travel, that is a lot of pollution entering the atmosphere. Whether it’s driving to your job or traveling across the country, there are ways to drive more sustainably.

Eco-driving is a form of driving that significantly reduces the impact of gasoline on the environment. It improves a car’s efficiency and gas mileage by reducing fuel usage, saving you money and reducing our collective dependence on oil. The simplest solution to save gas is to stop idling. Not only is it against the law to idle for more than one minute in Park City, idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine.

Another easy tip is to accelerate and decelerate smoothly. Maintaining a steady speed at a low RPM while avoiding rapid acceleration and braking, reduces fuel burn. Using cruise control lets the car do that for you. It’s also recommended to observe the posted speed limits by driving either at or under the posted limit. The EPA estimates a 10-15% improvement in gas mileage by driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph. While saving gas, you’re also reducing your risk of getting a speeding ticket or in a car accident. Do yourself and the environment a favor by incorporating these easy tricks into your driving routine!

By Anna Duffy