Will driving in the left lane save money?

[travelling]

On a recent road trip, I noticed that the right lane on the highway was pretty beat up. This happens often since that is the lane that trucks use. It's almost always a lot rougher with cracks, potholes and general roughness. The left lane on the highway is almost always smoother. It got me wondering if I would save money on car wear and tear if I only drove in the left lanes on highways?

[bjl584]

In most states you aren't allowed to travel in the left lane except to pass other cars. You're only allowed to be in the left lane for a mile or less. Staying in the left lane for a long distance could get you a ticket.

[disneysteve]

In most states you aren't allowed to travel in the left lane except to pass other cars. You're only allowed to be in the left lane for a mile or less. Staying in the left lane for a long distance could get you a ticket.

True, which is a shame. Another advantage of the left lane is it is easier to maintain a consistent traveling speed because you don't deal with people entering and exiting the highway. It's really tough to set the cruise control if you are in the right lane.

[feh]

People who cruise in the left lane and make people pass them on the right is one of my pet peeves. The left hand lane is for passing.

That being said, if there aren't any cars approaching from behind and you are diligent about getting into the right hand lane when necessary, using the left hand lane could improve gas mileage and wear & tear on your car.

[disneysteve]

People who cruise in the left lane and make people pass them on the right is one of my pet peeves.

Definitely. If you are in the left lane, you better be going faster than everyone else.

[greenskeeper]

The lane doesn't matter. Going as slow as possible will yield you the best fuel economy (cost per mile). However, time is money so driving at a snail's pace doesn't always work.

The sweet spot (economy and speed) for my 98 TDI is 65mph which is 2000rpm in 5th gear. This gives me 53 mpg.

[ua_guy]

In theory, it's easier on your vehicle's suspension and you would encounter ever so slightly less rolling resistance for your tires.

I estimate the cost savings to be absolutely negligible. There are much bigger cost savings in things like proper vehicle maintenance including regular maintenance and running the correct air pressure in your tires, your overall driving style, reducing your trips, etc.

Also, as others have mentioned, if someone comes up behind you in the left lane, it's state law that you move over. It doesn't matter how fast they're going or how aggressive they're being about wanting by you, the law requires that you move over, period.