The Easter long weekend is one of the busiest times on the road – whether you’re heading away, visiting family, or just making the most of a few extra days off.
The catch? More driving usually means more fuel… and with prices doing what they’re doing right now, that adds up fast.
The good news is you don’t need to cancel the trip. A few simple tweaks can help you go further on a tank.
Here are three easy ways to save on fuel this Easter.
1. Ease into your driving
Long weekends mean more cars, more congestion, and more stop-start driving – which is exactly what burns fuel fastest.
You can’t control the traffic, but you can control how you drive in it.
If you’re hard on the accelerator, braking late and constantly reacting, you’ll burn through fuel faster than you need to. Smooth it out and you’ll go further.
Think:
- Ease into acceleration instead of taking off quickly
- Leave a bit more space so you’re not constantly braking
- Keep a steady speed on open roads
Your car uses the most fuel when it’s accelerating. So every time you take off quickly, brake late or speed up/slow down/speed up again, you’re in a high fuel-use zone. Smoother driving reduces how often that happens. So accelerate gently and keep a steady speed so your engine doesn’t have to work as hard or as often.
2. Check your tyre pressure before you leave
When your tyres are underinflated, they flatten out more against the road. That increases ‘rolling resistance’ – i.e how hard it is for your car to move forward. If your tyres are even a tiny bit underinflated, your car has to work harder. And when the car’s loaded up with bags, kids or camping gear, that’s more rolling resistance again…
Before you go:
- Check your tyre pressure (including the spare)
- Adjust to the recommended PSI
- Don’t forget – temperature changes can affect pressure too
It’s a two-minute job that can save you money across the whole trip by saving your engine from working overtime just to maintain speed.
3. Pack smart
The heavier your car is, the more energy it needs to get moving and keep moving. So be ruthless with what you pack! Every extra thing you throw in ‘just in case’ costs you fuel, especially over longer distances. Get the kids involved in planning – do we need to take the bikes and the scooters, or could we just bring the scooters this time?!
And it’s not just what’s in your car, it’s what’s on it, too. Roof racks and pods mess with your car’s aerodynamics by increasing drag. More drag means more fuel!
Quick wins:
- Take out anything you don’t need before you pack
- Be mindful of heavy items
- Remove roof racks or pods if you’re not using them
If you’re travelling with a full car, keeping things as light and streamlined as possible makes a real difference.
The bottom line
Fuel costs don’t have to ruin your Easter plans. When fuel prices are high, even small improvements in efficiency can make a real difference over time. These habits don’t take much effort, but they can help you get more kilometres out of every tank and keep a bit more money in your pocket.
Drive a bit smoother, check your tyres before you head off, and be smart about what you pack – and you’ll likely notice the savings by the time you’re heading home.
And if your car still feels like it’s chewing through fuel, it might not be your driving – it could be something under the bonnet. Worth getting checked before the next trip. Things like dirty air filters, worn spark plugs, or engine issues can all impact efficiency – especially on longer trips. Book your next service with Cox Auto and keep your car running efficiently.
