Go to South Carolina
If it's feasible and you live in South Charlotte or happen to be down south, filling up your tank in one of Charlotte's neighboring South Carolina suburbs like Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie or Rock Hill, will save you some money. The reason? South Carolina's state gasoline tax is considerably lower than North Carolina's. As of May 2008, North Carolina's gasoline tax is variable and currently stands at 30.2 cents per gallon, which ranks 15th highest nationally, (Source: The Tax Foundation), while South Carolina's gasoline tax stands at 16.8 cents per gallon and ranks 4th lowest nationally. (Source: The Tax Foundation)Find Gas Prices Online
There are several websites available that pull in the latest gas prices in your zip code. The data is usually provided by informants in the area.- Gas Buddy - Charlotte: This site let's you find the best deals (and the most expensive places) to fill up in the Charlotte area. The Gas Buddy parent site allows you to search gas prices all over the country, as well.
- Gas Buddy - Fort Mill: This site let's you find the best deals (and the most expensive places) to fill up in the neighboring Fort Mill, SC area.
- Mapquest: While Mapquest is commonly thought of as a route finder, it also has a database of national gas prices to help you get where you need to go.
- MSN Autos: The auto channel of the popular MSN site also features a national gas-price database for you to search.
- Motor Trend: The website of the popular magazine features a downloadable desktop widget that plugs into the latest gas prices in the Charlotte area -- or any area you choose.
Drive More Efficiently
Observing some simple driving tips from the U.S. Department of Energy's website will help you conserve fuel.- Drive sensibly. Driving like a hothead or a speed demon is never good, but now rapid accelerations and quick braking can take its toll on your wallet.
- Observer the speed limit. Unless you're on the track at Lowe's Motor Speedway, driving at speeds above 60 mph can cause a decrease in your gas mileage.
- Remove excess weight. Basically, if it doesn't belong in your vehicle, don't leave it in there. After your Costco trips, unload the car! Excess weight can reduce your gas mileage.
- Avoid excess idling.
- Use cruise control. If your vehicle has this feature, using it on the highway will maintain a constant speed and will make the most use of your vehicle's gas mileage.
- Use overdrive gears. When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
(Source: U.S. Department of Energy)
Try Carpooling
While carpooling may not be ideal for everyone, it can be a great options for those commuting on a daily or frequent basis to main business hubs like Uptown, SouthPark or the University area. There are several online resources available to help match you up to potential drivers or riders in your area.- Charlotte Area Transit System: Looking for a carpool or vanpool to join? By filling out a form, CATS will assist in matching you with a group that fits your needs.
- eRideShare.com: This website provides a quick and easy-to-read grid that lets available drivers and riders know what times and destinations are being sought.
- Carpool World: Users can post messages seeking riders or drivers to their particular destination.
- iCarpool.com: Sign up completely free of charge to be matched with drivers and riders in the Charlotte area.
