Staying Green While Traveling

It’s not easy staying green while traveling, especially if, like me, you like nothing better than hopping into a car and driving off into the distance. It’s a lot more sustainable to take a train, of course, or even to hop onto a bus with 28 other people. But it’s just not the same.

staying green while traveling on a road trip

I love road trips. I think it’s in my blood. By the time I was 5, I had been across the States twice. Since then, road-tripping has become something of a compulsion.

But these days, with concerns about the environment and the skyrocketing price of gasoline in some years, road trips aren’t looking quite so appealing.

Still, it’s hard to resist something that makes you feel so good.

So, here I am, once again, making plans for a road trip, this time a two-week trip around Southern California at the end of the month. It’s the kind of USA trip that’s really only possible by car, certainly not by any kind of public transportation.

Only this time, I’m looking at it from a green perspective. Along with planning where to go and what to see, I’ve also been researching ways to make this road trip as green as possible.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.

1. Choose your car carefully. Renting a hybrid will save on gas which is good for the environment and your wallet. But unfortunately, the cost of renting a hybrid is often more than a regular car, partly because demand is still exceeding supply. All the major companies are trying to ramp up how many hybrid and electric vehicles they offer, however, and they’re finally starting to make it easier to search for them and map out where to recharge for the plug-in versions.

2. Join the Better World Club, which is similar to the AAA but greener. Their maps highlight the most energy-efficient and, often scenic, byways. Better World Club also offers gas rebates, deals on eco-friendly rentals, and a chance for you to purchase carbon offsets to balance your road trip emissions.

3. Increase fuel efficiency by keeping the tires inflated, not driving like a Nascar driver, parking in the shade wherever possible, and believe it or not, turning left less. Apparently turning left takes longer and wastes more gas than turning right.

4. Pack lightly. The more weight in the car, the more gas that will be used. Also pack a tote bag or two for your shopping expeditions and a few reusable food containers, utensils, and cups. This will save you from having to accept non-recyclable bags, throwaway cups, and even takeout containers.

5. Stay green. Look for accommodations that practice eco-friendly initiatives for staying green while traveling when you sleep. Start looking before you leave home, using directories such as the Green Hotels Association or others that list properties that have passed objective criteria, such as LEED design. Here’s an article on how to narrow down your choices and choose wisely.

eco-friendly hotel green lodging

6. Eat green. Use guides such Sustainable Table’s Eat Well Guide to locate healthy eateries, natural grocery stores, and farmers’ markets.

7. Charge green. I’m not talking about the dreaded plastic card here, although there are some credit card companies that are greener than others (note to self – look into this more). I’m actually talking about investing in a solar charger or a portable solar generator to keep all your digital electronics—camera, phone, tablet, Bluetooth earbuds, laptop—in working order.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. (An iceberg that’s melting, unfortunately…)

There’s plenty more that you can do to make any road trip, or for that matter, any trip, be it road, train, or plane, more environmentally friendly. And if you want to help others be more conscious or you are looking to fill out a gift wish list for yourself, check out this post from our editor Tim on sustainable gifts for travelers.

Let me know what you think and please, leave a comment with any good tips that you have for staying green while traveling on a road trip.

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2 Comments

  1. Garth April 18, 2011
  2. Julia June 13, 2011

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