NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - That cross-country trip you had planned this summer -- or even that quick weekend drive to the country -- may cost you a little more than you'd like, given the recent spike in crude prices.

Thanks to the Mideast crisis -- most recently Iraq's decision Monday to halt oil shipments for 30 days to protest United States support of Israel -- and the fact that gas prices tend to go up in spring anyway as the oil market stocks up on summer blends, the phrase "fill 'er up" is likely to mean more money out of your pocket. But you can take simple steps to get more mileage out of your tank.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Monday it expects gas prices to hit an average of $1.46 a gallon this summer, the third-highest price on record after 2001 and 2000. Generally speaking, prices are likely to be highest at the pumps in states and cities where clean-air standards or emission regulations are the most stringent, said Fred Rozell, a retail oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service. These include California, Chicago, St. Louis and cities between Washington and Boston.

Travel experts don't expect a rise in gas prices to deter vacationers, most of whom travel by car. AAA spokesman Mantill Williams said travel was up last May over the year before despite record-high gas prices, which peaked at $1.72 a gallon on May 15.

"If anything, people tend to modify their travel plans before canceling them," said Cathy Keefe, a spokeswoman for the National Travel Association.

If you're planning a road trip between now and Labor Day, here are some easy things you can do to get the most bang for your buck:

Go for cruise control. "Plan a route that lets you travel at constant speed and bypass congested areas," Williams said. That means avoiding those two-lane roads rife with stoplights. If you have an automatic transmission, use an overdrive gear at cruising speeds, said Jim Kliesch, a research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. And if you have a stick-shift, it's better to drive in fifth gear than fourth on highways, he said. That way your engine will work most efficiently.

A lead foot is heavy on the wallet. Slamming on the gas or the brake lacks a certain grace. But more than that, it wastes gas and creates the same amount of carbon monoxide emissions as 30 minutes of steady driving, Kliesch said.

Speed and your gas tank will bleed. Once you hit the open road, think twice before pretending you're on the Autobahn. If you drive at 70 miles per hour instead of 55 mph, you'll lose 17 percent of your car's fuel economy, according to ACEEE. Driving 65 miles per hour isn't much better either. You'll lose nearly 10 percent in fuel economy.

Don't buy what you don't need. Premium, high-octane fuels aren't necessarily better for your car just because they're premium, high-octane fuel. In fact, such fuels don't provide any greater fuel efficiency, Kliesch said, and many cars are designed to use regular low-octane fuel. So check your owner's manual to see what your car requires.

Be cool about keeping cool. If you really must park in the sun, don't jack up the air conditioner as soon as you get back in the car. Drive for a bit with the windows down to let out the excess heat first, Kliesch said. Otherwise, the A/C will serve as a drag on the engine's efficiency.

Early to rise, early to save. Plan your driving so you avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours. You'll save gas ... and your temper.

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Lose the junk in your trunk. For every 100 pounds of excess weight in your trunk, your car loses 1 percent of fuel economy, Kliesch said. So pack light.

Pamper your automotive pet. Keeping your tires inflated is a quick way to insure you get the best gas mileage. For every 3 pounds your tires are below their recommended pressure, your fuel economy drops 1 percent, Kliesch said. And the harder your car has to work, the more visits you'll make to the gas station. That's why it's always smart to have your car's oil, transmission and spark plugs checked before a road trip.

Pamper yourself. Make a trip to a destination that doesn't require that you drive everywhere once you've arrived, William suggested. Otherwise, you'll spend more money on gas, a lot of energy in traffic and less time getting the rest you need.

Keep a little perspective. If you've run out of conversation and find yourself grousing about gas prices, consider this: As much as you're paying, you'd probably be paying far more elsewhere. Americans enjoy some of the least expensive gas prices in the world. Take the week of March 25. The EIA reports that the average price per gallon at a U.S. pump was $1.52. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands were paying anywhere from $3.34 to $3.92.