I dropped $40 on a tank of gas the other day.

Ouch.

And just in time for summer. Even though my car averages 26.1 miles per gallon, maybe a road trip isn't such a good idea.

Besides, the only place you're going to find cheaper gas than San Antonio is Trenton, N.J. Do you really want to go there?

The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline: around $3.22; a gallon of premium: $3.55.

San Antonio is at about $2.98 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to AAA. Trenton is 2 cents cheaper.

Unless you're really, really special, there's not a lot you can do about high gas prices. You can complain, but that's not going to save you any money.

These 10 tips will:

Tighten your gas cap all the way. If you don't, your precious, expensive gasoline can evaporate — literally.

Stay cool. Park under a tree, crack your sunroof and use a shade for your windshield. A cooler car means gas-guzzling air conditioners won't have to work as hard to make you comfortable during a San Antonio summer.

“Flipping on the air conditioning full blast as soon as you hop into a hot car is a big waste of gas and money,” Bankrate says.

Check the octane. Don't fuel up with premium-grade gasoline unless your car absolutely requires it. Otherwise you're just paying extra for a higher octane rating you don't need.

Remove the barbells and sandbags from your trunk. Carrying extra weight can lower your car's fuel efficiency.

Maintain your ride like you're supposed to. Use the oil your manufacturer recommends and get your car tuned up regularly, and you'll maximize your gas mileage.

Don't forget your tires. Under-inflated tires make your car work harder to maintain its speed. That burns more gas.

Be a smooth operator. Don't idle, rush out at rush hour or erratically floor it every once in awhile for entertainment value. According to the automotive gurus at Edmunds.com, you've got the power to harness hybrid-style gas mileage by controlling the use of your foot on the gas pedal.

Combine trips. Stop at places like the grocery store, post office and dry cleaner on the way home instead of starting from a cold engine for multiple trips.

Drive like Grandma. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Driving 75 miles an hour instead of 65 is said to cut fuel efficiency by 10 percent. Go 70 instead of 55, and your fuel economy drops 17 percent, according to Bankrate. If you “stop driving like a maniac,” Edmunds says, you can save up to 37 percent of your gas.

Don't drive to Jersey (or across town) to save a couple of pennies on a gallon of gas. That just doesn't make sense.