What can families and commuters do to ease the drain on their pockets?

Improve the Fuel Efficiency of Your Car

Drive Smart!
When you drive aggressively, you waste gas and put others at risk. Observe the speed limit, avoid rapid acceleration and braking, and maintain a constant speed on the road, especially on long highway trips.

Keep Your Car in Shape.
A well-tuned car burns less gasoline. Get your oil and air filters changed regularly, and that your tires are always properly inflated. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, specifically formulated low-friction motor oil can increase a vehicle’s fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.
 
Tread Savvy.
Purchase low-rolling resistance replacement tires and maintain proper tire pressure to maximize fuel efficiency, which can increase fuel economy by 2-4%. For check out Green Seal's "Choose Green Report on Low-Rolling-Resistance Tires" at www.greenseal.org.

Idle Less.
Turn off your car engine while parked or waiting in line. You can’t avoid idling in traffic jams, but if the wait is longer than 30 seconds, switching off and starting up again uses less gasoline than leaving the car running.

Pack Light.
According to the Department of Energy, a loaded roof rack on your car can decrease fuel economy by approximately five percent. Also, every 100 pounds you carry in a car reduces a typical car's fuel economy by one to two percent. So, when you go on vacation or a long car trip, put everything you can inside your vehicle, and pack light.

Use Alternatives to the Solo Car Commute
 
Use Public Transportation.
Look into the public-transportation options in your area, such as light rail, bus or subway, and use them as much as possible.

Carpool.
Carpool or use ride-share programs if you can. This might also enable you to shorten the time of your commute by using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Minimize Commute Time.
Sitting in rush hour traffic burns gas and gets you nowhere. If possible, adjust your work schedule so that you avoid rush hour traffic. Even better, and if your employer allows it, telecommute. If you can't telecommute full-time, try to do so one or two days a week.