Driving a van is essential for many for many of us, but the cost of fuel and maintenance can add up over time.

The good news is we’ve got some handy tips that might save you a little money on the road.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 practical money-saving tips specifically for van drivers:

Check your tyres

Yes, we all know that we should check our tyres regularly, but how often do you really get around to it?

Keeping your van’s tyres properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level can significantly improve fuel efficiency, because underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance. Or to put it another way, it makes your engine work harder, which burns more fuel, which costs more money.

Plan your routes

Do you find yourself stuck in traffic, taking detours that end up taking even longer, or driving in circles around one-way systems when trying to get to the job quickly?

Not only does this waste time it also wastes money on fuel, and the best way to avoid this for free is to use the GPS navigation systems or apps on your phone.

You can attach your phone to the dashboard (you might need to pick up a cheap phone holding device) and you’ll get real-time updates with suggestions on the most efficient routes based on such problems as roadworks, traffic and weather conditions.

Take it smoothly

Not only is driving aggressively not great for your van, it’s also not great for your fuel.

If you find yourself stomping on the pedal, braking quickly, or even breaking speed limits with your impatience, your fuel efficiency will be impacted – not to mention any other problems your driving style could cause.

For best practice, keep a steady speed, plan ahead, and accelerate and decelerate gradually; your fuel, and your engine, will thank you for it.

Combine trips

Got multiple clients to visit? Popping out to get supplies before the next job?

If you can combine these into a single trip instead of going back-and-forth to the office after each one you can be more efficient with both your fuel and time.

Take off the load

This might be stating the obvious again, but excessive cargo and clutter can easily build up in your van, weighing it down and costing you more on fuel. All those winter supplies you stashed in the boot just in case? You might not need them in the middle of summer.

Give your van a regular declutter to remove any items that you don’t need for your current jobs – you could even set a reminder in your phone’s diary once a month.

Routine maintenance for the long term

It might be more expensive in the short term, but keeping your van properly maintained can help avoid costly repairs further down the road. It can also improve fuel efficiency, as well as helping to identify any potential issues early.

The van’s manufacturer will have a recommended schedule for maintenance to make sure you never miss an oil change, filter replacement, tune-up, or any other important job.

Cruise on the motorway

If you’ve got the option, cruise control is not only a great way to keep a constant speed on the motorway, but it can also improve fuel efficiency by cutting out any unnecessary speed changes.

This only applies on flat surfaces, however; using cruise control on winding roads or to go up and down hills can have the opposite effect.

Compare fuel prices

Petrol and diesel prices can vary significantly from one station to another, so it pays to shop around and compare prices before refueling.

Use smartphone apps or websites that track fuel prices in your area to find the cheapest options nearby, and consider joining loyalty programs or using cashback rewards cards to save even more on fuel purchases.

Fuel-efficient driving modes

This is another tip that won’t apply to every van driver, but many modern vans come fully equipped with eco-friendly driving modes or similar fuel-saving features that optimise the engine performance.

Spend some time to familiarise yourself with these features, it will be worth it in the long run.

Finally… do you need to use your van for every job?

While the van is perfect for getting to the next job, do you really need it to pop two minutes down the road to pick up a loaf of bread?

If you can cut back on your reliance, you can save money on fuel while making sure your all-important van is kept in top shape even longer.