You’ve probably dreaded filling your tank lately. And for good reason? As of mid-April 2026, the national average is hovering around $4.05 per gallon, with some regions still exceeding that. For the average traveler, it’s a hassle. For the entrepreneur, though, it’s a line-item veto for your summer plans.
As fuel costs fluctuate and airfares seem to require a Series A funding round to book, the traditional “big trip” is becoming an increasing liability. The thing is, entrepreneurs don’t cancel. We pivot.
For example, this summer might be the time for a “near-cation.” It’s not just a staycation where you check Slack from your porch. Near-cations are strategic travel pivots that offer high-value, high-impact experiences within a single tank of gas. It’s about saving money on transit to splurge on the experience.
This summer, whether you’re planning a family getaway or a business trip, here’s how to master the “gas price” pivot.
1. The “Single-Tank” Radius
In business, we talk about “local SEO” and “hyper-local markets.” The same logic applies to your GPS. Set a radius of 200-300 miles from your home base — roughly what most modern vehicles can travel on one tank.
Why a single tank? As soon as you stop at a “highway robbery” gas station in a tourist trap, your margins disappear. But if you stay within a 3- to 4-hour drive, you eliminate:
- The airport tax. No $80 Ubers to the airport, no $30 sandwich at the airport, and no fees for checked bags.
- The time drain. As an entrepreneur, your time is valued at an hourly rate. With security and boarding, a 2-hour flight actually takes 6 hours. During a three-hour drive, however, you can listen to podcasts or dictate notes for your big project.
2. Personal Travel: Splurge on the “Stay,” Save on the “Way”
When your family isn’t dropping $2,500 on airline tickets, your budget has more breathing room. Take advantage of those savings and book a high-end, unique rental or a boutique resort within driving distance instead of a mediocre hotel. It’s a trade-off between quantity and quality.
Also, search for “work-from-anywhere” hubs. In many mid-tier cities and coastal towns, like Austin, Salt Lake City, Chattanooga, and the Outer Banks, high-speed fiber and coworking access are being combined with local tourism to make them digital nomad havens. Besides getting the refresh you need, you’ll stay on top of your KPIs.
3. Professional Travel: The “Regional Hub” Strategy
As a speaker and networker, I travel a lot. If fuel prices spike, I will stop looking at transcontinental conferences and focus on regional hubs.
For instance, find micro-conferences or mastermind meetups in nearby business hubs instead of traveling to Vegas.
- The value play. A regional event often offers a higher density of networking opportunities. If you are in a room of 50 rather than 5,000, you’re more likely to have a high-value 1-on-1.
- The carpool connection. Are you looking to build a massive rapport with a potential partner? Offer to drive them. The price of three hours in the car is the same as ten “coffee chats.” Also, by splitting the cost of fuel, you gain a captive audience for your presentation.
4. Optimize Your “Fleet” Efficiency
Whenever you’re driving, drive like a logistics pro.
- Route planning. Take advantage of apps that track fuel prices along your route, not just at your destination. It’s not uncommon for prices to vary by as much as 40 cents just by crossing a county line.
- Maintenance. It may sound boring, but underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy by 3%. Do a “pre-flight” inspection of your vehicle before you leave. It’s the easiest way to save $50.
5. Leverage the “Secondary Market”
When fuel prices spike, “surge pricing” hits the most popular drive-to destinations because everyone has the same idea. But if you want real value, you need to look at secondary markets.
Instead of visiting a famous beach town like Ocean City, Maryland, consider a lakeside town 20 to 40 miles away. Try the state forest two towns over instead of the major mountain resort. As in crowded markets, the “blue ocean” strategy works in travel as well. If you go where the “big brands” aren’t, you’ll find better service, lower prices, and fewer crowds.
6. Business Travel: Combine the “Bleisure” Trip
When you have to drive to a client meeting, don’t just turn around and come back. Consider combining it with a personal “near-cation.”
In some cases, you can write off the mileage and a portion of the lodging as business expenses by adding two days to a business trip (check with your CPA). Because the business was already going there, you get the “transit” portion of your vacation for free.
7. Use AI to Find the “Hidden Gems”
Travel planning is becoming increasingly AI-driven. But instead of searching for “best vacations near me,” use a prompt that makes you think like an entrepreneur.
Try this: “I live in [City]. I have a $1,500 budget and want a high-value 3-day trip within 200 miles. I value quiet workspaces, great coffee, and outdoor hiking. Find me three ‘under-the-radar’ spots that aren’t typical tourist traps.”
When it comes to discovering “Stage 2” destinations, AI is remarkable at finding them. These are places with incredible attractions but lack the massive marketing budgets of the big cities.
8. Rethink the “Company Retreat”
With high gas prices, small teams are better off ditching expensive flight retreats in favor of regional “offsite” retreats. Besides, renting a large house within driving distance builds culture much more effectively than a sterile hotel ballroom. As a bonus, you can reinvest the savings in better catering or a better facilitator.
9. Membership Loyalty: The Local Play
It’s common for entrepreneurs to be loyal to airline miles or hotel points. If you’re going on a “near-cation” this summer, turn your loyalty toward memberships in your local community. For example, if you live in a region with many museums or state parks, you might want to consider museum passes or state park stickers. Often, these pay for themselves in just two visits, and they give you a reason to explore your own backyard like a visitor.
10. The “Windshield University”
Finally, consider the drive itself a business asset. This is what I call Windshield University. You could listen to an entire audiobook, catch up on five industry podcasts, or use a voice-to-text app to “write” the first draft of your next book or blog series while you drive four hours.
In the air, your time is dictated by TSA lines and boarding groups. When you drive, however, you own the schedule.
Final Thoughts
Gas prices don’t have to derail your summer plans. It’s just a reminder to find a more efficient way to recharge. Often, as entrepreneurs, we seek undervalued assets. This summer, the undervalued asset is just three hours away.
Spend that money on a really great meal at a place you wouldn’t have discovered from 30,000 feet, rather than on airfare and security lines. And, most importantly, drive safely and keep margins high.
Image Credit: RDNE Stock project; Pexels
