6 Smart Ways Arizona Drivers Can Cut Their Gas Bills This Month

For a while, I was pining for a new car. I recently climbed into a friend’s new truck, and was instantly dazzled by the flashy dash interface, the backup camera, the navigation unit, and the sweet, sultry voice of the vehicle, making me feel like I was sitting in the seat-warming hub of the future.

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Driving My Reliable Jalopy

My decades-old Toyota has a lot of miles on it. While I’ve been wishing for a newer ride, gas prices have been skyrocketing, so I’ll be honest: every time I roll up to the pump in my smaller, older, still-somehow-chugging-along compact SUV, I feel a bit smug about not owning the giant truck I was wishing for.

But even my little fuel‑efficient cruiser is starting to feel the sting of Arizona’s rising gas prices. Don’t tell the folks at the Sierra Vista PD, but every time I roll past the gas station, I close my eyes for a second. I just can’t look at the price-per-gallon numbers on the kiosk.

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It’s like every time I blink, the numbers jump again, like we’re all playing some cruel slot machine, except instead of winning money, we’re losing buckets of it, by the gallon. So, what can you do to stop handing Big Oil all of your hard-earned cash? Here are some tips to keep a little more money in your pocket and a little less in your fuel tank.

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1. Plan Your Errands Like A Strategist

Instead of bouncing around town on impulse, batch your errands. Hit the grocery store, pharmacy, and post office in one loop. Sierra Vista isn’t huge, but those little zigzags across town add up fast.

Think before you drive all the way from Fort Huachuca to Hereford, and make your zigging more efficient.

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2. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

It sounds boring, mostly because it is, but underinflated tires can tank your fuel efficiency. A quick pressure check can save you a surprising amount of gas (and frustration). You’ll also be keeping your vehicle safer.

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4. Use Cruise Control and Watch for Jackrabbits

If you’re heading toward Tucson or just making your way across the bypass, cruise control is your friend. Maintaining a steady speed keeps your engine from guzzling extra fuel during those long, open stretches.

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Do I even have to mention this? Jackrabbit starts (where you punch the gas like you’re qualifying in a timing trial for the NHRA), waste a tremendous amount of fuel over time. Smooth starts and long, gentle stops are your friends when it comes to keeping gas in your tank and money in your pocket.

5. Lighten The Load

If your trunk or the back cargo compartment of your vehicle has turned into a mobile storage unit (no judgment), clear it out. Extra weight = extra fuel burned. Your wallet will thank you.

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6. Consider Carpooling When It Makes Sense

Whether it’s work, school drop-offs, or weekend plans, sharing a ride even once or twice a week can make a noticeable dent in your gas spending.

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Sticking with a Classic

In the end, these little tweaks won’t magically make gas cheap again, but they will help you feel a bit more in control. And right now, I’ll take any win I can get. If that means getting a few more miles out of my trusty Toyota, I’m here for it.