Carpooling Tips to Save Time and Money

Carpooling is a great way to save money, time, and reduce your carbon footprint. Successful carpooling requires a great deal of coordination to ensure that everyone is picked up and dropped off at the right place, paid for, and that everyone is satisfied.

Here are a few tips for successful carpooling.

Find someone to carpool with.

The first place to look for carpoolers is somewhere close to you.

If you're dropping your kids off at school, it's easiest to find the parents of the kids in your neighborhood.

If you're going to work, it's easiest to find a coworker who lives in the same area.

If you're purposely looking for someone to carpool with and they're not around, check out Craigslist. If you check it a few times a week, there is a very good chance that you will find someone looking for a carpool on the same route.

Aim to ride over the carpool lane limit.

Different states have different rules about carpool lanes. In some states, two people can use the carpool lane, while in other states, three people are required.

By using the carpool lane, you can drive faster, save time, and consume less gasoline.

Always try to stay above the carpool lane cutoff.

Only pick up and drop off at certain places.

A big mistake that many carpool participants make is to go out of their way to pick people up and take them far away.

Remember that the main purpose of carpooling is to save gas money. If you are spending time and gasoline to pick someone up, then you are defeating the purpose.

Only pick up people in your own area. Try to drop them off near your own area.

Costs and Rewards.

Before carpooling, agree on costs and compensation. Often, it's as simple as splitting the cost of a one-way trip.

Sometimes, the driver may decide to bear a little less than the others. Also, if you have a car that is not fuel efficient, you need to discuss this ahead of time.

Discussing the costs up front before agreeing to carpool can save you from awkward money talks later on.

Make your cancellation policy clear.

Make it clear to everyone how cancellations will be handled. For example, if you have to cancel, send an email to everyone involved 24 hours in advance.

This will save you from getting emotional if someone has to leave at short notice.

Carpooling, when done correctly, can save a lot of time and money, as well as be a great social experience for all participants. The tips above will help you avoid many of the common carpooling pitfalls and make carpooling a smoother and easier experience.