What you can do about gas prices

Gas prices have reached record levels nation and worldwide, and Bellevue is no exception. Don’t let the pressure at the pump keep you from getting where you need to be! There are myriad money-saving ideas and non-drive-alone opportunities available to folks who live or work in Bellevue, including the following:

Skip driving alone when possible by taking advantage of these suggestions:

• Join a friend or coworker and carpool to work so you can split the cost of driving and parking. There are hundreds of active carpool participants coming into Bellevue every day. Carpool and ridematch information is on our Share the Ride page.
• Carshare can help you get around during the day when you don’t have a car at your workplace; check out our Carshare section to learn more about Zipcar in Bellevue.
• Join a vanpool. There are a multitude of benefits to vanpooling to work, including pre-paid gas, insurance and vehicle maintenance, as well as avoiding road tolls. Even during these times there are 90 active vanpools operating in and out of Bellevue. Learn more about vanpooling (and about vansharing, for getting to or from a transit hub) on our Share the Ride page.
• Take transit. Approximately 36 bus routes operate in Bellevue. Check out our transit page for schedules and tools to plan a specific route!
• Get your exercise in and walk or bike to your destination. Downtown Bellevue boasts an enviable Walk Score of 94 out of 100. View our walk and bike pages to learn more.
• Is your job a fit for telework? Telework and hybrid work options have become a standard practice for a significant proportion of companies in the United States and through the world, having increased significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If your employer does not yet offer a remote work opportunity, direct them to our Choose Your Way Bellevue business telework section linking to city- and county-provided information, tips, sample agreements, checklists, and even webinar recordings!

When you do drive, ensure your vehicle is at its best mechanically:

• Check your tire pressure. Fluctuating temperatures can cause your tires to lose air more quickly and make your car exert more gas.
• Ditch the remote start. Getting into a toasty car is nice, but letting it run is a waste of gas and money.
• Drive the speed limit. Use cruise control to help keep your speed consistent and save energy.
• Create a gas-saving, smart route for your trips and errands.

-Choose Your Way Bellevue staffer Alison