I talk a lot about road trips here on my blog, and also on my social media accounts, but I’ve never really dived into my eco-friendly road trip practices. I’m going to share a few things I do to reduce my carbon footprint while on the road. 

Fuel-Efficient Driving Practices

Maintain a Steady Speed

Maintain a consistent and moderate speed, as sudden accelerations and decelerations can significantly impact fuel efficiency. Using cruise control on highways helps keep a steady pace, optimizing fuel consumption. 

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving behaviors, such as, rapid acceleration, speeding, and sharp braking. These actions not only waste fuel, but contribute to increased emissions and negatively impact overall fuel efficiency. 

Green Vehicle Options

Hybrid or Electric Cars

When renting, opt for electric! These cars produce fewer emissions, are more fuel-efficient, and contribute to lower overall environmental impact. 

Charging Station Information

If you do electric, make sure to plan your road trip route around charging station availability. Charging station availability is growing across the United States making it that much easier for an eco-friendly road trip!

Waste Reduction Strategies

Reusable Travel Essentials

Check out the following links to some of my favorite products I use on the road to help reduce my waste. 

Water Bottle – No matter the hike, I always have ice water with me, especially in the desert heat. And thanks to this puppy, my water stays nice and cold and it takes a long time for the ice to melt. 

Utensils – I somehow ended up with camping utensils forever ago, and they have been my tried and true friends. It’s so easy to eat on-the-go with your own utensils. Avoid single-use plasticware! 

Containers – On the occasion I eat out and have some leftovers, I bring my own to-go containers and have avoided many a styrofoam box. Restaurants couldn’t care less that I’ve brought my own container to take my food with me in. I use glass ones, as well to avoid investing in more plastic, even if it’s not single-use. 

Toothpaste – A few years ago, I was looking for some type of toothpaste that wouldn’t melt in my car while I was in Death Valley, and I came across this brand of sustainable toothpaste pellets! They come in a reusable tin, you just chew them a few times and brush your teeth. 

Hand towels – One item that was really hard for me to cut down on, mostly because so many people automatically give them out, is NAPKINS. I got hand towels specifically for wiping my dirty mitts, and I can wash and re-use. 

These are some of the ways I cut back on plastics, styrofoam, paper products, plasticware, etc. And hopefully this short list inspires ways you can cut back even more to really enjoy your eco-friendly road trip. 

Choose Sustainable Accomodations

Energy-Efficient Hotels

Aim for hotels, Airbnbs, cabins (wherever you’re staying) that prioritize energy efficiency through practices lie LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and smart HVAC systems. Look for hotels that have LEED certifications. (LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

HERE is an article that provides some great examples of LEED hotels to give you an idea as to what you want to look for. Depending on the area you’re going to be around, you might even stay at one of these amazing hotels!

Explore Nature Responsibly

Leave No Trace

Follow Leave No Trace principles when exploring nature. This includes staying on designated trails, packing out all waste, respecting wildlife, and minimizing human impact on delicate ecosystems. 

Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Calculate Emissions

Use this free calculator to figure out your emissions. 

CALCULATOR

Projects To Donate To

Donate to these projects that will help offset your carbon footprint. 

PROJECTS

Eco-Friendly Road Trip And More

There are plenty of ways to reduce waste while on the road and have yourself an eco-friendly road trip! If you’d like to check out more road trip theme information on the blog, CLICK HERE.