Has your driving increased with lower gas prices?

[greentea]

I've been trying to bank some of the savings I'm getting from the lower gas prices, but what I've found is that with the lower prices, I drive more. I don't drive enough to where it evens out, but it means I'm not saving quite as much as I hoped to save. Have others found themselves driving more with the lower gas prices?

[disneysteve]

No difference here. We don't base how much we drive on the price of gas. We base it on where we need to go.

[snafu]

When gas prices seriously escalated it coincided with other major expenses in our 3 vehicles. I focussed attention in our driving habits and the four of us agreed to work together to do errands, follow planned routes and use 'furthest out' criteria, that was believed to be most efficient. The change in effort was worth the planning involved and the savings in fuel and the whole of transportation costs were just bonus. Planned routes kept us out of traffic jams most of the time, people and items were picked up and delivered without special trips and that relieved other pressure points. As parents with teen age drivers that's huge.

greentea, there are so many details dependent on your specific transportation needs. You might find it helpful to set an operations sum for your vehicle that includes insurance, registration, licensing, maintenance, operations and even parking based on your 2014 figures. It helps to review insurance and maintenance suggested in your vehicle's manual, mileage on tires etc. We divided that sum by paydays and set sums aside [electronic/budget platform]. We noted sums spent on the phone app, somehow the mere act of monitoring seemed to keep costs below what we anticipated.

[marvholly]

NOT with the cold & snow we have here in metro Chicago. I'll have to see what happens when the weather gets better. May go out to see grandkids more.

[cypher1]

I wouldn't say driving more, but I'm definitely guilty of wasting more gas letting my car warm up longer than normal this winter with a remote starter.

[rennigade]

Nope...not one single bit. I personally hate to drive...the less I can drive the better.

[snafu]

greentea, there was an article today that estimates the average American family can expect a savings of $750. in reduced gas costs for the year.

[greentea]

No difference here. We don't base how much we drive on the price of gas. We base it on where we need to go.

I didn't think I did either, but it seems from tracking my driving, I'm willing to take trips I wasn't when prices were higher.

[greentea]

greentea, there are so many details dependent on your specific transportation needs. You might find it helpful to set an operations sum for your vehicle that includes insurance, registration, licensing, maintenance, operations and even parking based on your 2014 figures. It helps to review insurance and maintenance suggested in your vehicle's manual, mileage on tires etc. We divided that sum by paydays and set sums aside [electronic/budget platform]. We noted sums spent on the phone app, somehow the mere act of monitoring seemed to keep costs below what we anticipated.

Good idea. I will put this on my list of things to do.

[greentea]

greentea, there was an article today that estimates the average American family can expect a savings of $750. in reduced gas costs for the year.

Yes, I saw that. It was one of the reasons I decided to try and benefit form the lower prices.

[disneysteve]

I didn't think I did either, but it seems from tracking my driving, I'm willing to take trips I wasn't when prices were higher.

I'm sure that's true for some. I can honestly say that t just isn't for us. We have never said, "oh gas is cheaper this week. Lets go down the shore today" or "gas is up this week. We better not go to the outlets like we were going to."

[ua_guy]

The lower prices could lead to an uptick in miles driven this year for me.

Things like driving somewhere long distance versus flying(and having a car at our destination) are becoming more of a consideration. For example, taking a week to visit friends/family approximately 700 miles away.

There are also a couple of trips I'd like to do that we've been planning, that are significant expenditures in terms of gas money. Driving an RV from Seattle to Anchorage, AK. Or, driving an RV anywhere. We may accelerate our plans to own a recreational vehicle due to gas prices.

In terms of everyday driving, no, the price of gas won't add/subtract miles this year. It's all need-based anyway, but I really am enjoying filling up for what literally feels like "half price"

[disneysteve]

This whole discussion is probably moot as prices are already on their way back up. Prices bottomed out around here at about $1.69. Last night it was already back to $1.95. I assume it will be back over $2.00 by the weekend.