Transportation to and from work is one of the most obvious places to save money and gasoline. Fuel can be saved by combining errands with the daily commute. Leaving earlier in the morning or later in the evening can also reduce fuel burned in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

More and more people work from home because computer technology and the Internet have freed some workers from the need to commute to a central location. If this is an option where you work, it's worth exploring.

Car pools, van pools and public transit are other potential ways to cut driving expenses and fuel consumption. Many families use car pools to transport children to and from school or activities.

Starting a car pool can be as easy as talking to neighbors who travel to the same destination or posting a notice on a company or school bulletin board.

If you form a car pool, keep the following points in mind:

• Establish who will drive and when.
• Agree on how riders will share expenses.
• Determine routes and pickup points — either at homes or more central locations.
• Agree on how long the driver will wait for a tardy passenger.
• Decide whether eating, drinking, smoking or playing the radio, CD or tape deck will be permitted.
• If you are the driver, check with your insurance company to determine your liability and whether you should change your insurance coverage.
• If you are sharing the driving, ask your insurance company if your premium can be lowered because you are driving less.
• Try the car pool for a week and use that time to deal with any problems.

Some companies will support the formation of van pools, even to the point of purchasing vans to lend to employees. One employee is usually designated as the driver. It's a good idea for the driver to discuss insurance coverage, liability and responsibilities with both a personal insurance agent and an insurance representative of the company sponsoring the van pool. To use the service, riders simply pay a monthly fee —usually much less than they would otherwise pay for gasoline and parking.

When available, public transit may be the least expensive and most fuel-efficient way to commute. If there is no bus, subway or train stop near your home, consider joining a car pool that can take you where one is located.