The cost of gas has been well-above $3 for some time now, but now news sources across the country are reporting prices have gone past $4 per gallon. AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report indicates that the national average is about $3.61 for regular unleaded gas, but states like California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Maine, West Virginia and Connecticut are seeing an average of $4.27.

ABC News affiliate KGO-TV reports that by noon on Wednesday, a gas station near the San Francisco Airport was selling regular fuel for $4.59 per gallon. Things are ever worse for Florida drivers, where gas prices have reached nearly $6 per gallon in some areas. Drivers are filling up for $5.79 in Orlando, according to CBS Tampa. The rest of the state is closer to the national average, but Florida motorists are still paying about 12 cents more than average.

"Prices over in Disney World area are much higher than any other place in Florida," AAA spokeswoman Jessica Brady told the news source. "It doesn't look like we will have relief at the pump anytime soon. I do think we will see prices surpass $4 a gallon. I think we will see that closer to springtime."

Drivers can take steps to improve the fuel economy of their current vehicles. Shutting off vehicles while they are idling is a wise move, as the U.S. Department of Energy reports idling can use between a quarter and a half gallon of gas per hour. Observing speed limits will reduce fuel consumption as well. Mileage typically decreases significantly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.

Getting regular maintenance and oil changes improves the engine's efficiency as well. Drivers can take their cars to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center, located in Jersey City and open to the public, to get tuneups, oil changes and make sure their vehicles are running smoothly. 

Auto maintenance can be one of the most troubling aspects of car ownership for drivers. Even if it's a small repair, it can be unfamiliar territory for some motorists who don't know what to expect when they take their vehicle to get fixed. In an effort to ease any worries, the Car Care Council recently released a video aimed at educating consumers of the repair shop experience.

The video, titled "Auto Service and Repair: What to Expect," provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at car care centers. It also offers a number of tips on everything from finding the right businesses to asking the right questions. Being knowledgeable about the maintenance process is a significant part of car ownership, but unfortunately this is something that many people may not realize.

"For many consumers, taking their vehicle in for service or repair can cause anxiety and lead them to postpone necessary maintenance and repairs," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Neglecting routine service can cause more expensive repairs later. Our new, candid, no-nonsense video provides tips and advice, and lays out realistic expectations for motorists who need help finding and working with an auto service and repair shop."

In addition to anxiety, financial concerns may also cause drivers to put off getting their car fixed. A study from Consumer Reports found that 40 percent of motorists are putting off getting repairs or general upkeep on their primary vehicle due to the economy.

If you need to get your car looked at, New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center is the place to go. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, its knowledgeable staff can quell any of the worries you might have.

As winter starts to give way to spring, some motorists may be interested in starting out the warmer seasons with a new set of wheels by way of a used car. But before they do, it might be wise to look at what the market has in store for the next several months, and according to Kelley Blue Book, there is both good news and bad news.

Industry experts are predicting that the values of used cars will rise between 3 to 5 percent from now through June. Though that might deter some consumers from shopping for a used car, when compared to this time last year, prices are much lower. Between January and June 2011, used car values rose 10 percent.

There are a number of reasons for the lower rates of increase, but a lot of it is tied to the fact that gas prices may not be as high as they were during the spring of 2011. In that time, the demand for compact and hybrid cars rose considerably, which tended to drive the price up.

"Values of compact and subcompact cars should outperform the overall market average, but not by more than 2 to 3 percent, unless speculative investors drive up oil prices," KBB reports.

Regardless of how much the value of used cars rise, there are numerous benefits of purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. For example, you'll be able to save money on insurance and many used cars are as reliable as their brand new counterparts, according to Edmunds.

Though the values of used cars may be rising, you won't have a problem locating a good deal at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The wide variety of makes and models offered at the dealer all come at affordable prices.

The all-new Buick Verano is garnering a lot of consumer interest, according to a recent AutoTrader.com New Car Insights Report. The company analyzes the amount of consumer attraction to vehicles on its website, and then compiles a list of the top 20 "Big Movers" that have experienced the largest increases in month-over-month interest.

The Buick Verano, which has only been in production for one year, saw a 95.7 percent increase. The sedan is both affordable (starting at $22,585) and fuel efficient, with an estimated 32-mile-per-gallon fuel economy. MotorTrend reports that the Verano came from the same family as the Chevy Cruze and the Volt, and is a bit smaller than the Buick Regal. A 180-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing provides drivers with a smooth, fun to drive vehicle. MotorTrend indicates that the next model will likely get a slightly larger, more powerful engine, but with more power comes more fuel usage.

GM's new luxury sedan was not the only small model to make it onto AutoTrader's "Big Mover" list. The Subaru Impreza came in second, with a 39.4 increase in consumer interest and the Ford Focus saw a rise of 27.6 percent. Toyota was the real leader of the pack, with four vehicles on the list, the most of any automaker. The Prius saw a 38.1 percent climb in shopper interest and the Prius V, Yaris and Corolla all did well, too.

Whether drivers are looking for a used Focus, Corolla, Prius or other fuel-efficient vehicles, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices. All their cars are CARFAX certified as well, so motorists know they'll be driving away in a reliable vehicle.

There may be a common perception that Americans love to hit the open road, but in 2011 that was certainly not the case. Recently-released statistics from the government show that travel on U.S. roads reached its lowest point since 2003, as fears of high gas prices and a struggling economy led drivers to keep their cars in their garages, The Detroit News reports.

The final figures from the Federal Highway Administration  came out to about 2.963 trillion total miles driven in 2011. No small figure, to be sure, but it marks a 1.2 percent decrease from 2010 – or about 35.7 billion fewer miles. While 2011 may have been a down year, there is reason to think American motorists may be more likely to drive in 2012.

Despite an overall downward trend, drivers actually showed a growing tendency to drive in December 2011 compared to 2010. According to the newspaper, Americans drove 3.2 billion more miles in the final month this year compared to last year. That, coupled with a seemingly-improving economy, could point to a more mobile population.

Though the economy may be improving, it hasn't changed drivers' likelihood of holding on to cars longer than ever before. A recent Polk survey found that the average length of car ownership is around six years, a 23 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2008.

If you're planning on driving a lot more in 2012, you may want to consider buying a fuel-efficient used car from New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, from the Ford Fusion to the Chevrolet Cruze, there is something for everyone.