Cruising Through Summer on One Tank of Gas

Aug. 5, 2008 -- Facing skyrocketing gas prices, a college student from Vancouver, Wash., is attempting to get through the entire summer on a single tank of gas.

Halfway through the summer, Danni Brancaccio is right on target, with the 14-gallon tank in her 1997 Honda Civic still about half full.

"When I got home from school, gas was about $4.30 [per gallon]," said the 20-year-old student at Northwestern University. "That was more than I was willing to spend."

Brancaccio's parents, who use her car while she's away at school, gave her a full tank of gas when she returned home for the summer.

"My mom has a mini van, so she uses my car because it's better on gas," said Brancaccio.

She has discovered ways to preserve the gas in her tank. During the week she takes the bus to work, and on weekends she relies on walking, carpooling and getting rides from her parents. Often, Brancaccio catches the bus to work after Mom drops her off at the local park-and-ride.

Brancaccio estimates she has saved more than $150 and lost about five pounds in the first two months of her summer break by utilizing alternate transportation methods.

She would have driven 30 miles per day round trip to her job at the downtown Portland, Ore., law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine.

"Every day that I don't drive to work, I save a gallon of gas," she said.

While she is not concerned with the day-to-day fluctuating price of gas, Brancaccio does spend $105 on her monthly metro card. She said that the card is a good deal because it gives her unlimited access to the buses in Portland and Vancouver.

Her original goal was just to save money -- but she does support the philosophy of going green.

"I wouldn't call myself an [environmental] activist," said Brancaccio. But she added, "I think green living should start to become second nature to us."

Her efforts to save money and take advantage of carpooling have been contagious.

"One of my friends is very enthusiastic about saving gas," said Brancaccio.

Brancaccio is keeping track of her progress through a blog dedicated to her summer goal, appropriately titled "One Tank or Bust."

She uses her blog as a tool to share with readers her ways to increase the miles per gallon on their vehicles such as maintaining the pressure in the tires. When the tires have more air, it takes less energy for them to move the car, which ultimately saves the driver gas.

She said she would encourage others to follow her lead.

"People think it's a lot harder than it is to save gas," she said. "Small changes will save a lot in the long run."

Unfortunately, the college junior has not eliminated maintenance expenses on her car by driving less often. She has been able to postpone her next visit for an oil change, but she has had to purchase a new battery, costing her about $100.

"I left my lights on," said Brancaccio.

Hot summer days in the upper 90s and even triple digits have tempted her to give in, but she has remained faithful to her goal. Even though the price of gas has decreased 30 cents to $4 since she has been home, she refuses to fill up and drive.

Brancaccio has driven more than 200 miles and has 34 days left of her challenge.

She expects to meet her goal by the end of the summer but said, "If it doesn't work, it will be OK."