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How to Save Money on Fuel

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses when traveling with a caravan or motorhome. VanRoute helps you minimize these costs through smart route planning, live fuel price tracking, and fuel economy monitoring.

Use Live Fuel Prices​

VanRoute provides real-time fuel prices for NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, helping you find the cheapest fuel along your route.

Finding Cheap Fuel​

  1. Open the Map tab

  2. Tap the Fuel filter to show fuel stations

  3. Prices are color-coded:

    • 🟢 Green - Cheapest in area
    • 🟡 Yellow - Average price
    • 🔴 Red - Above average

  4. Tap any station to see:

    • Current prices for all fuel types
    • Last updated time
    • Distance from your location
    • User reviews and amenities

Plan Fuel Stops​

When planning a route:

  1. VanRoute suggests optimal fuel stops
  2. Tap View Fuel Stops to see recommendations
  3. Compare prices at upcoming stations
  4. Add preferred station as a waypoint

Pro Tip: Fuel is often cheaper in major towns than in remote areas. Fill up before heading into the outback!

Track Fuel Economy​

Understanding your fuel consumption helps identify ways to save money.

Set Up Fuel Tracking​

  1. Navigate to Settings → Fuel Economy
  2. Enter your vehicle's fuel tank capacity
  3. Enable Automatic Tracking to record fill-ups

Recording Fill-Ups​

After refueling:

  1. Open Fuel Economy in the app

  2. Tap Add Fill-Up

  3. Enter:

    • Fuel amount (litres)
    • Total cost
    • Odometer reading (optional - auto-recorded if GPS enabled)
    • Fuel type

  4. VanRoute calculates:

    • L/100km consumption
    • Cost per kilometre
    • Trends over time

Analyze Consumption​

Review your fuel economy data to identify:

  • Routes with better efficiency (flatter terrain, less wind)
  • Impact of speed on consumption
  • Best fuel types for your vehicle
  • Seasonal variations (wind, temperature)

Optimize Your Routes​

Route selection has a major impact on fuel consumption.

Route Preferences for Fuel Efficiency​

When planning routes, enable Fuel Efficient mode:

  1. Open Route Planning
  2. Tap Route Options
  3. Select Optimize for Fuel Economy

This mode:

  • Avoids steep hills when possible
  • Minimizes stop-and-go traffic
  • Suggests routes with fewer elevation changes
  • Balances distance vs terrain difficulty

Elevation Impact​

VanRoute shows elevation profiles for routes:

  • Flat routes are most fuel-efficient
  • Gradual climbs are better than steep ones
  • Coastal routes often use less fuel than mountain passes

Example: Sydney to Melbourne via Hume Highway uses ~15-20% less fuel than via the Alpine Way due to elevation.

Timing Your Fuel Purchases​

Fuel Price Cycles​

In major cities, fuel prices follow weekly cycles:

NSW: Prices typically lowest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays VIC: Prices lowest mid-week, highest on weekends QLD: Less predictable, but often cheaper mid-week

FuelCheck Alerts​

Set up price drop alerts:

  1. Go to Settings → Fuel Alerts
  2. Set your target price per litre
  3. Choose notification radius (5-50km)
  4. Get notified when nearby stations drop below your target

Reduce Consumption​

Simple driving habits can significantly improve fuel economy.

Driving Tips​

Speed Management

  • Maintain steady speeds (90-100 km/h optimal for most caravans)
  • Use cruise control on flat terrain
  • Avoid rapid acceleration

Weight Reduction

  • Only carry water you need
  • Empty grey/black water before travel
  • Remove unnecessary items from van
  • Rule of thumb: Every 100kg reduces economy by ~1-2%

Aerodynamics

  • Keep windows closed at highway speeds
  • Remove roof racks when not in use
  • Ensure caravan is level and properly hitched
  • Check tyre pressures regularly (underinflated = higher consumption)

Trip Planning

  • Combine errands to minimize trips
  • Avoid peak hour traffic
  • Plan routes to minimize idling time

Vehicle Maintenance​

Regular maintenance improves fuel economy:

  • ✅ Service engine as per manufacturer schedule
  • ✅ Clean or replace air filters
  • ✅ Check and maintain correct tyre pressure
  • ✅ Wheel alignment every 6-12 months
  • ✅ Use recommended oil weight

Fuel Discounts and Programs​

Loyalty Programs​

Many fuel chains offer discounts:

  • Coles Express: 4¢/L with Flybuys
  • Shell: Rewards program discounts
  • BP: BP Rewards members save
  • Caltex/Ampol: Amplify Rewards

VanRoute Tip: Add your loyalty cards to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for easy access.

Bulk Buying​

For longer trips:

  • Some stations offer bulk discounts (100+ litres)
  • Commercial card discounts if you're a frequent traveler
  • Combine fill-ups with food shopping for supermarket discounts

Compare Costs​

VanRoute helps you compare total trip costs:

Cost Estimation​

When planning a route:

  1. VanRoute estimates total fuel cost based on:

    • Your vehicle's fuel economy
    • Current fuel prices
    • Route distance and elevation
    • Traffic conditions

  2. Compare alternative routes:

    • Shortest distance vs cheapest fuel
    • Toll roads vs free roads + fuel
    • Scenic routes vs direct routes

Example Cost Comparison:

Route A: Hume Highway (Sydney-Melbourne)

  • Distance: 880 km
  • Fuel: 132 L @ $1.85/L = $244
  • Tolls: $0
  • Total: $244

Route B: Princes Highway

  • Distance: 1,040 km
  • Fuel: 156 L @ $1.75/L = $273
  • Tolls: $0
  • Total: $273

Despite cheaper fuel, Route B costs more due to extra distance.

Regional Fuel Strategies​

Remote Australia​

Fuel is expensive in remote areas:

  • Outback towns: Often $2.20-$2.50/L
  • Roadhouses: Premium pricing ($2.50-$3.00/L)
  • Major towns: More competitive ($1.70-$2.00/L)

Strategy:

  1. Fill up in major towns before heading remote
  2. Carry jerry cans for emergencies (not regular use)
  3. Plan routes through towns with competitive fuel
  4. Use VanRoute's offline maps to locate fuel stations

Coastal vs Inland​

Coastal areas (NSW, QLD):

  • More competition
  • Lower prices
  • More frequent stations

Inland areas:

  • Less competition
  • Higher prices
  • Stations further apart

Money-Saving Route: Coast-hugging routes often have cheaper fuel but may be longer. Use VanRoute to compare total costs.

Track Your Savings​

VanRoute's fuel economy tracking shows your savings:

Monthly Reports​

View your fuel costs:

  • Total spent on fuel
  • Average price paid per litre
  • Litres purchased
  • Cost per kilometre traveled
  • Comparison to previous months

Savings from VanRoute​

The app tracks estimated savings:

  • Money saved by using cheaper fuel stations
  • Fuel saved by optimal routing
  • Efficiency improvements over time

Average VanRoute User Savings: $300-$500 per year on fuel costs.

Quick Wins​

Start saving immediately:

  1. ✅ Enable live fuel prices in VanRoute
  2. ✅ Plan fuel stops at cheapest stations
  3. ✅ Track your fuel economy for 2-3 tanks
  4. ✅ Reduce speed by 10 km/h on highways
  5. ✅ Join fuel loyalty programs
  6. ✅ Check tyre pressures weekly
  7. ✅ Remove unnecessary weight
  8. ✅ Fill up mid-week when prices are lower

Summary​

Saving money on fuel requires:

  • Finding cheap fuel with live price data
  • Tracking consumption to identify savings opportunities
  • Optimizing routes for fuel efficiency
  • Improving driving habits for better economy
  • Timing purchases to catch low prices

With VanRoute's tools and these strategies, most users save $300-$500+ annually on fuel costs while traveling around Australia.