Cruise control isn’t just a comfort feature—it’s one of the simplest tools for increasing fuel efficiency on long highway drives. By maintaining a steady speed and minimizing unnecessary acceleration or braking, cruise control can help drivers use less fuel, reduce wear on the vehicle, and cut overall trip costs. Combine this with apps like Fuelly to track improvements in MPG and tools like Fluz to save on fuel purchases, and cruise control becomes part of a full-fledged fuel-saving strategy.
Here’s how to turn your cruise control into a smarter, more cost-effective driving ally.
How Cruise Control Saves Fuel
When you drive manually, it’s common to vary your speed slightly—even without realizing it. Every unnecessary tap on the gas or brake can waste fuel, especially at highway speeds. Cruise control eliminates those small fluctuations, helping you maintain an optimal, consistent pace.
The result? Your engine runs more efficiently, leading to smoother driving and reduced fuel consumption. On flat highways, using cruise control can improve fuel economy by up to 7–14%, depending on your driving style and vehicle.
Tip: For best results, use cruise control only on open, relatively flat highways—not in hilly, congested, or stop-and-go traffic areas, where it may actually hurt fuel efficiency.
Track Your MPG with Fuelly
If you want to see the impact cruise control has on your fuel usage, start logging your data with Fuelly. It’s a free app that helps drivers track every fill-up, calculate average MPG, and spot long-term efficiency trends.
After enabling cruise control more often on highway trips, compare your MPG logs over a few weeks. You may see noticeable gains—especially if you pair cruise use with other eco-driving habits like proper tire inflation, light packing, and reduced idling.
Fuelly can also break down your average cost per mile and generate reports over time, so you can see exactly how your changes pay off.
Preload Fuel Savings with Fluz Before a Long Drive
Before setting out on a highway trip, consider preloading your fuel budget with digital gift cards through Fluz. It’s a quick way to earn cashback on fuel before you even start driving. For example, you can save money on Chevron gift cards or earn cashback at Shell, then use those funds to pay at the pump during your trip.
Not only does this help you save upfront, but it also acts as a budget cap—so you’re less likely to overspend on gas or impulse buys at the station.
Final Thoughts
Smart driving doesn’t just come from what’s under the hood—it’s also about how you use the tools already at your fingertips. Cruise control is a powerful ally for fuel efficiency, especially on long highway stretches. When paired with MPG tracking via Fuelly and cashback planning through Fluz, it becomes part of a smarter, more cost-effective driving routine.
