Memorial Day Travel Tips for Cleaner Air

Memorial Day signals the unofficial kickoff of summer in the United States, with many people having a day off on Monday to commemorate the holiday. Whether you’re traveling to the beach or the barbecue this weekend, it’s always a good time to make travel choices that benefit our air quality.

If you and your friends and family are all traveling to the same vacation destination together, it’s a great opportunity to share a ride and to save money, too. Splitting the cost of parking and fuel among multiple riders will reduce the cost of your trip significantly, especially with soaring gas prices. More carpools will reduce the number of cars heading to recreational areas, thus alleviating congestion and pollution.

While you’re carpooling to and from your vacation spot, don’t forget to stop filling your gas tank when you hear the pump “click.” If you keep trying to top off the tank after the click, fumes will escape into the atmosphere instead of remaining safely in the tank.

Also remember before you leave, fill your tires and check that every part of your car is in good condition. A well-maintained vehicle gets much better gas mileage, produces fewer emissions and helps ensure that you aren’t on the shoulder of the highway waiting for a tow truck instead of lying on the beach!