Most commuters are as comfortable with their daily routes to and from work as they are with their favorite shoes and pajamas. This comfort level comes from the familiar mile markers, billboards and exits that zip by as we head back from a hard day’s work. While you may feel better about taking the same path during your daily commute, this path may not be the best in terms of fuel efficiency.
The lure of the high-speed interstate may be taking you out of your way to get to work. Highways may offer high speed limits for commuters in a rush to get to work but they offer little flexibility during your commute. If you miss your exit because of inconsiderate drivers, you will need to backtrack and waste gas in the process.
One school of thought promoted by the State of Michigan and others says that commuters should take the shortest possible routes to work. These routes reduce the total miles your vehicle travels in a day, which cuts down on gas used each time you sit behind the wheel. The caveat for the shortest route idea is that you also need to consider road conditions. If you are driving on a pockmarked road that cuts your commuting distance in half, you may be putting your vehicle at risk for damage that would negate fuel savings.
Another idea to reduce your gas burden during the daily commute is finding a route with the least amount of stop signs and speed changes. You may be able to find a county highway or local road with a consistent 45 MPH speed limit that allows cruise control in light traffic. By reducing stop and yield signs during your commute, you cut down on wear on your brakes and avoid repetitive acceleration that wastes gas.
There are two ways to map out your fuel-efficient commute without starting up your car. You can use Google Maps and Street View to find a route from your home to work that fulfills the requirements mentioned above. If you are familiar with back roads and county highways in your area, you can take a quick bike ride to determine if the route will work for your needs.
