Score better mileage this summer

Hitting the road for a summer vacation? Before you fill up at the pump (and dish out a whopping $4+ per gallon), read these tips on achieving maximum fuel efficiency during your drive.

Preparation
Choose a vehicle. That rugged SUV may be the official road-tripper of your house, but if it's not a Tahoe Hybrid, you may want to consider the sedan this summer. It will force you to pack light, but hey, that saves gas too.

Schedule an annual maintenance check-up. Things like oil changes and clean air filters all contribute to the fuel efficiency of your car or truck. Let them go, and you'll start to see your mileage sinking.

Fill your tires. This is an easy tip that only takes a minute. Proper tire inflation can garner you 10 percent better mileage - so don't ignore it.

Packing
Pack light. Every extra 50 pounds of weight in your vehicle lowers your fuel economy approximately 1 percent.

Map it. After you're packed, take a moment to map out your trip--uber easy on AAA's free TripTik mapping program. You'll be able to find the closest lodging and dining options, in addition to restrooms and ATMs, so you won't be driving in circles wasting that precious gas.

On the Road
No jack rabbit starts and stops. Keep things smooth and gently accelerate to avoid seeing your gas gauge plunge before your eyes.

Set it on cruise. Use cruise control to keep your speed at or below the limit. Sixty miles per hour has been regularly proven to be the most fuel efficient speed for most vehicles. Don't get pressured by the passing lane... this is a vacation, after all.