The price of gas may go up or down, but it's always a major expense for anyone who drives a car. The average American consumer spends about $3,000 per year for gas, according to the American Automobile Association. Driving a smaller car makes a great difference – the cost per mile is about half for a small sedan than for a large SUV. Similarly, drive with a less powerful engine than you need. Don't pay for an eight-cylinder engine when four cylinders will work just fine. Unless you're hauling heavy loads on a routine basis, the extra cost of a bigger engine results in more money spent on gasoline.