Ep. 12 - The Power of Cruise Control: Stress Less, Save Money

Episode 12 – The Power of Cruise Control: How to Drive Smoother & Save Money

Cruise control isn't just for long road trips—it's one of the most underrated tools for everyday driving. In this episode, Randy Keith reveals how using cruise control can reduce fatigue, improve fuel efficiency, and even cut down on traffic jams.

From standard cruise to adaptive cruise control (ACC), you'll learn when to use it, when not to, and why it can make you a safer, more consistent driver.

Randy also shares a personal story about his 6-hour drive to Atlanta without cruise control—and the speeding ticket that almost followed. Whether you’re a cruise control skeptic or a daily user, this episode offers new insight into how cruise can enhance your driving habits.

💬 Have thoughts on ACC or your own cruise control habits? Email Randy at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com

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🔗 YouTube + Facebook: @MasteringTheCommute

Chapters

• 0:12 Episode 12 Intro - Cruise Control
• 1:06 Why You Need to Use Cruise More
• 2:34 My (No) Cruise Control Drive to Atlanta
• 3:12 Cruise on Surface Streets Too!
• 3:58 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• 5:17 When NOT to Use Cruise
• 6:26 Cruise Tips/Wrap-up for New Cruisers
• 6:53 Contact Me, Send Feedback/Next Week Promo - Highway Numbers

Transcript

Episode 12: The Power of Cruise Control – How to Drive Smoother & Save Money

“Less stress, better mileage, and smarter driving—one button at a time.”

[Intro Music]

Opening Bumper - Introductions from News hosts Linda Nunez, Tom Haule and Dave Zorn and traffic reporters Steve Cusack, Larry Barajas and Jim Thornton - from KNX archives c. 2000]

[;12] “Welcome back to Mastering the Commute, your 6-minute traffic fix!
I'm your host, Randy Keith.

Episode 12: Cruise Control – The Secret to Smoother, Safer Driving

“Cruise control—one of the most underappreciated tools in driving. Some drivers use it religiously, others never touch it. But when used correctly, it can reduce traffic congestion, improve fuel efficiency, and actually make you a safer driver—especially when it comes to making smoother, more gradual movements.

Today, we’re going beyond the basics of cruise control. We’ll talk about:

✔ How cruise control reduces unnecessary braking and keeps traffic moving

✔ The real safety benefit no one talks about—what happens to your reaction time when you stop working the gas pedal

✔ Adaptive cruise control—when it helps and when it can make you too passive behind the wheel

If you haven’t used cruise control much before, this episode might change how you drive.”

[00:01:06 Stinger]

Key Point 1: Why Cruise Control Works

“Every time I get behind the wheel, I turn on cruise control. Why? Because it saves me fuel, frustration, and foot fatigue.

Most drivers think of cruise control as a tool for long road trips, but it’s just as valuable for daily commutes.

• Consistency prevents stop-and-go traffic. Smooth, steady speeds reduce the phantom jams we talked about in Episode 2.

• Less fatigue. Keeping a constant speed reduces the need for micro-adjustments, which adds up over a long drive.

• Fuel efficiency. Fluctuating speeds burn more fuel—cruise control keeps it steady.

📊 Study Spotlight: Research by the U.S. Department of Energy shows that using cruise control can improve fuel efficiency by up to 14% on highways.

💡 And here’s something you might not think about: Cruise control forces you to drive more smoothly. When you’re not constantly adjusting the gas pedal, you’re making fewer sudden movements, accelerating more gradually, and reducing the need for hard braking—all of which lead to a more predictable traffic flow.

Key Point 2: The Hidden Safety Benefit 

Here’s an advantage most people don’t consider: cruise control actually helps you keep your foot in a safer position for braking.

When you’re constantly pressing the gas pedal, or moving back and forth between that and the brake, your leg stays tense, and your reaction time can actually slow down because of muscle fatigue. But with cruise control:

✔ You can rest your foot near the brake, making faster response time if needed.

✔ Less muscle fatigue = better endurance on long drives.

✔ A more relaxed driving posture helps prevent stress buildup—something that contributes to road rage and poor decision-making.

[00:02:34] 

MY Experience…

When my wife and I first moved to Florida in 2017, I had a gig in Atlanta, over a 6 hour drive on a Friday from Orlando. I was stuck with a rental car without cruise control on that drive, and I was not a happy camper. I remember being tense the whole way there and back, and that didn’t even include the stress of getting pulled over for speeding. Thankfully the Georgia state trooper let me go, since I was going 87 mph, still far lower than the “real” speeders” at over 90 on that stretch of I-75.

Speaking of speed numbers, most people think cruise control is only for long highway drives—but the truth is, it works at in most vehicles even at speed as low as 30 mph.

[00:03:12]

Personally, I use it on almost any road that is not a residential street. It helps me manage speed fluctuations, reduce unnecessary braking, and maximize fuel efficiency. 

In fact, I consistently get  38 mpg in my Kia rio (which is a sub-compact gas vehicle)… , and cruise control is a big part of that.

On our youtube chanel, Mastering the commute, I’m piosting a video featuring cruise on a main street that goes through my Orlando suburb at about 40 mph. Video link in the show notes.

[00:03:58]

Key Point 3: Adaptive Cruise Control – Friend or Foe? 

Newer cars now have adaptive cruise control (ACC), which automatically adjusts your speed based on the vehicle in front of you. In theory, this is great—no more turning cruise control on and off in traffic.

• How Does  it Work: Unlike standard cruise control, adaptive cruise control adjusts your speed based on the car ahead.

🚧 The Pros:

✔ Reduces the need for braking - and hence, driver fatigue - in moderate traffic.

✔ Can help prevent tailgating by maintaining a safe following distance.

⚠ The Cons:

❌ Some systems are overly cautious and slow down too much.

❌ not paying attention to the road ahead.

🚨 Important Note: Not all adaptive cruise control systems are created equal. Some are better at maintaining distance, while others struggle in stop-and-go traffic. And Relying on ACC too much can make drivers too passive.

If you’ve ever driven a Tesla, Adaptive cruise, along with lane assist, is a very similar experience. If you haven’t had this experience, it’s like having autopilot on the ground. And it does take some getting used to. 

I have driven with ACC just a few times (on my mother’s new Kia Nero) and even I am not a huge fan. 

💡 Best Practice: If you have adaptive cruise control, use it wisely. Don’t rely on it completely—stay engaged and override it when necessary.

Do you have ACC? Let me know your experience and if YOU like it or not.

[5:17]

Key Point 4: When NOT to Use Cruise Control

Cruise control isn’t perfect for every situation.

🚧 Avoid it when:

🚫 In stop-and-go traffic – Cruise control is great for open roads, but in heavy congestion, it can make you less reactive.

🚫 In rain or bad weather – Wet roads reduce traction, and cruise control may not react quickly enough.

🚫 On hilly terrain – Standard cruise control struggles with steep inclines and can cause unnecessary braking downhill.

[6:28]

In fact, here’s a tip: 

If you are using cruise or even decelerating slowly in heavy traffic, make sure to at least tap (not slam) on brakes just to give a visual warning to the drivers behind you that traffic is about to slow.

While heavy braking can cause phantom jams, going slower than expected without seeing brake lights can be misleading to drivers, especially ones who speed. If you’re under the speed limit and see traffic coming behind you, always keep in mind that you want to communicate with them as best as possible.

Here are some wrap up thoughts and homework for your next drive:

• If you rarely or never use cruise, challenge yourself to engage it even just for 10-15 minutes on your next long drive.

If you do typically use cruise control, but not on surface streets, try it on your next drive when you’re on a road over 50 mph and not too many lights.

• Utilize cruise control it to stay relaxed and keep your foot in a better position for quick reactions.

•

[6:53 Next week promo and Outro]

Let me know: Do you use cruise control regularly? Have you tried adaptive cruise control?

💬 Send me your thoughts at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com …

Check out our Traffic Resources site at DriveSmarterNow.com or\Subscribe to our social media,

 @masteringthecommute on Facebook and Youtube.

🔗 Follow us, leave a review, and share this episode if you found it useful!

🚦 Next episode, we’re reviewing the highway numbering system! From Interstate highways to county and farm roads, we’ll uncover and de-mystify all those seemingly random numbers and signs!

[ Outro]

Until then:
✅ Drive safe, Drive smart.
✅Lead by example, take these tips to heart.

✅ Pay attention, read the signs

✅ make the road better—one drive at a time.