As the nation's economic woes mount, many Americans are planning to stay close to home this Memorial Day weekend. Six in 10 Americans plan to spend less on summer vacations this year or not take one at all, according to a new report by TrueCredit.com. Among those rethinking travel plans, 72 percent cited fuel costs as their primary concern. Indeed, compared with this time last year, gasoline prices have risen by 19 percent and airfares have climbed by 10.2 percent. A family planning a 1,000-mile road trip, for example, can expect to pay at least of $600 more than they did last year. But paying more at the pump shouldn't be an excuse to nix the family vacation. With just a few minor changes, motorists won't have to buy a hybrid to increase fuel economy by up to 50 percent. 'A lot of Americans feel that a vacation is a right, and it's something they're going to take, it's just a matter of [their] budget,' says Steve Cosgrove, president of Dynamic Travel in Southlake, Texas. If you're one of these Americans, then check out these 10 tips to lower your gasoline bill before hitting the road:
Paul Sakuma/AP
