SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cars-aggressive-driving-mpg

Speeding, jackrabbit starts and hard braking on the highway. How much gas mileage can that waste?

Roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds, per the US Department of Energy.

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  1. Almost none, about 1%
  2. Roughly 15% to 30% ✔
  3. About 75%

Why: Aggressive driving burns gas you never needed. Fueleconomy.gov says it can lower mileage by roughly 15% to 30% on the highway. Smooth starts and steady speeds save money.

Huh, didn't know that: In stop-and-go traffic, aggressive driving can waste even more: 10% to 40%.

The dad joke
Why did the girl smear peanut butter on the road? To go with the traffic jam.
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References

Answer: Roughly 15% to 30%. Aggressive driving burns gas you never needed. Fueleconomy.gov says it can lower mileage by roughly 15% to 30% on the highway. Smooth starts and steady speeds save money.

  1. Driving More Efficiently (fueleconomy.gov, US DOE) www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp
    It can lower your gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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