How to cut your fuel bill on school holiday road trips as prices soar
With school holidays already underway for some families and fast approaching for others, millions of Australians are gearing up to pack up the car and hit the road.
But with the spiralling cost of fuel, many might reconsider just how far they travel.
With the school holidays already underway for some families and fast approaching for others, millions of Aussies are gearing up to get in the car and hit the road. istock
There are ways to combat the pain at the bowser, with Peter Khoury from the NRMA stating motorists need to do some research before a road trip.
While he said there is no “best time” to head to the servo, there are still some saving tips.
“Fill up when you need it,” Khoury told nine.com.au travel.
“It’s more just about making sure you don’t fill up at the first servo you see.”
He suggested monitoring fuel prices on the My NRMA app or state government sites.
Road trips are popular but getting more expensive. istock
He then noted there are no longer price cycles for fuel - adding to the grim news for drivers.
Motorists this week were warned to “strap in” for at least two months with prices likely to exceed $2.50 per litre for petrol and $3 for diesel, with an emboldened Iranian regime “holding Donald Trump over a barrel”.
But Khoury said drivers can make other decisions to conserve fuel.
“Make sure your tyre pressure is to manufacture regulations,” he said, adding that flat tyres can drag the car and guzzle petrol.
There are other vital rules to follow surrounding the car’s power-sucking air conditioning, as the weather starts to heat up.
It also depends on where you are driving.
Australians love road trips, whether short or long. iStock
“A lot of people will be on the open road... put your windows up and turn the AC on as it reduces drag,” Khoury said.
“In town, put the windows down and put the AC off.”
While packing a car for a family is tough, leaving a few things behind can help.
“Most families are going to pack the car up, but don’t carry unnecessary weight,” he said.
If you’re a lead-footed driver, lay off the endless stop-start.“Hard breaking increases fuel consumption,” he said.
With all this in mind, it is likely more Aussies will stay closer to home during holiday periods.
The 2026 NRMA Index revealed 64 per cent of Aussies are planning a road trip in the next six months.
A Budget Direct survey released earlier this year found that almost 92 per cent of respondents had already taken a road trip in Australia, and nearly 74 per cent wanted to do another.
Domestic travel to the cities of Sydney and Melbourne and beachside favourite the Gold Coast are the most searched destinations for spring, according to Booking.com.
Meanwhile, Japan remains the most sought after international spot, usurping traditional Aussie fave, Bali.
When are the Australian public school holidays?
- Australian Capital Territory: 26 September to 12 October
- New South Wales: 28 September to 9 October
- Northern Territory: 19 September to 5 October
- Queensland: 19 September to 5 October
- South Australia: 26 September to 11 October
- Tasmania: 3 October to 18 October
- Victoria: 19 September to 4 October
- Western Australia: 26 September to 11 October
