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Americans are well known for their traditional road trips. But the ever rising gas prices force many drivers to consider various options of optimizing their gas mileage and get the most out of the least. Here are some useful tips that will help you to get the most out of your summer driving marathons and stay on top of it.

Fluid level check is a must

Your cooling system should be checked, cleaned and re-filled if necessary before you hit the road. Other fluids like engine oil, brake and transmission fluids, power steering and so on also require a careful check. Having problems with them while driving in the summer heat is not the best way of enjoying a good road trip.

Check for leaks

See if your car has any leaks before going to a trip. Finding out that there are any while you're good into your vacation is definitely the least pleasant thing you might expect. Remember that even the smallest leak in your gas tank will lead to a substantial leak in your wallet. And who wants to spill out money like that?

Keep the speed limit in sight

Driving below 60 mph is not only a good safety measure of avoiding traffic accidents but actually helps get the best gas mileage, as it usually increases substantially when this speed limit is exceeded. Make sure to check state speed limits by visiting the National Motorists Association's site.

Rush hour is your enemy

Try driving during non-peak hours as much as possible. Rush hours decrease your gas mileage substantially and also contribute to wear and tear of your auto.

Buy a GPS system or a road map

It's very easy to make a mistake or make a wrong turn, especially when driving in an unfamiliar area. Having an atlas or a GPS system in your will save you a lot of nerves and time.

Update your auto insurance

The longer is your trip the higher is the risk of running into an accident and having good and cheap auto insurance coverage in such situation is a must. Check your auto insurance before leaving home and make sure it's adequate to your insurance needs. Different states have different minimum coverage amounts so be aware of that when reading trough your policy before the trip.