This summer, the DGT predicts more than 100 million road trips. Most will be concentrated over a few weekends. That means traffic jams, heat, and the fuel gauge dropping faster than usual.
Before you set off, there’s something you can do: plan where to refuel. The price of petrol can vary by up to 20 cents per litre between different petrol stations on the same route. Look for the cheapest ones on your journey before getting behind the wheel and decide where to stop while you still have time.
And if you add to that driving more efficiently, the savings can be considerable. Here’s how.
The moment when petrol consumption is highest
Traffic jams are not just a waste of time. They are the worst-case scenario for fuel consumption. Constant starts and stops, idling for minutes, air conditioning at full blast. A car that consumes 6 litres on the motorway can spike to 10 or more in a summer traffic jam. Knowing this is the first step to combat it.
How to reduce consumption on the road this summer
Maintain a constant speed
Driving at 110 km/h instead of 120 km/h can reduce consumption by between 10 and 15%. Combine this with refuelling at the cheapest petrol stations along your route and the total savings may surprise you.
Anticipate traffic
Lifting your foot off the accelerator in time, without braking sharply, makes the difference between using the engine efficiently or wasting fuel. In slow-moving traffic, maintain a safe distance to be able to roll without stopping completely.
Use air conditioning wisely
At low speeds or in the city, opening the windows consumes less than the A/C. Above 80 km/h, aerodynamics is more negatively affected by open windows than by running the air conditioning. Adjust the temperature moderately and don’t set the A/C to maximum from the start.
Only load what’s necessary
Every extra 100 kg adds approximately 5% more consumption. Check the boot before you leave and leave at home anything you won’t need.
Roof racks and bike carriers, enemies of aerodynamics
If you’re not going to use them at your destination, don’t put them on. An empty roof rack can increase consumption by up to 10% at motorway speeds.
Check tyre pressure
A tyre with low pressure increases rolling resistance and, with it, consumption. Check it before any long trip, especially in summer when the heat from the asphalt naturally raises the pressure.
Choose wisely where to refuel on the way
The motorway petrol stations are generally the most expensive. If you can take a nearby exit, refuel at a petrol station in a nearby town and then rejoin the motorway, the savings can be 10 to 15 cents per litre.
Plan these stops before leaving home, with enough fuel in the tank. Stopping with a reserve at the first available petrol station because there’s no other option is the most expensive way to refuel.
The petrol costs of a summer trip depend less on luck and more on the decisions you make before you start. Choosing where to refuel wisely, adjusting speed, checking the load, and anticipating traffic are small changes that show in the final bill. This summer, don’t let the traffic jam cost you double.
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