Many people recognize Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer, and it is often one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. AAA expects this year to be especially popular, with as many as 30.7 million Americans making trips of at least 50 miles, good for a 1.2 percent increase over the number of travelers last year.

The predictions are bit surprising given that gas prices have been hovering above $3.50 a gallon, but AAA found that most drivers won't let that affect their plans. In fact, 53 percent said gas price increases won't impact their decision at all. Of the remaining 47 percent, only 9 percent were planning on taking a shorter trip, while 34 percent are going to make sacrifices in other areas to save money.

"The overall domestic economic picture continues to improve slightly, however, American consumers faced a new challenge this year as steadily increasing gas prices throughout the spring significantly squeezed many household budgets," said AAA president and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet.

One way drivers can save money is to make sure they are up to date on maintenance, which is especially important as they get ready to head off on a Memorial Day road trip. Before you hit the open road, the DMV recommends checking a few things including the motor oil, antifreeze and battery level to make sure you don't run into any problems during your trip.

In advance of your journey, you may also want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Its stable of talented mechanics will be able to identify any issues before you embark so you can enjoy your Memorial Day weekend without any speed bumps.

When you graduate from college and start looking for a full-time job, you're likely going to need a car to get there. However, choosing the right vehicle can be challenging, as there are so many different options out there. It's also important to find an affordable ride, as your budget may soon include student loans as well as car payments. Total Car Score, an automotive research website, recently published a list of the "Top 10 Cars for College Graduates," which can be a helpful guide for those looking for new or used cars in New Jersey. It looked at a number of features including safety, efficiency, performance and comfort as well as pricing  to determine the best choices.

"College grads are looking to make an investment in a car that is reliable and cost-conscious," said Karl Brauer, Total Car Score's editor-in-chief. "We compiled a list of the top-rated cars that offer the best quality while still being very affordable. In today's extremely competitive new-car market automakers are providing higher-quality cars at lower prices. These models offer more technology and convenience features than ever before in the compact car segment."

Every car on the top 10 list has an MSRP under $25,000, and all but three of the vehicles start under $17,000. The Mazda3 and the Mazdaspeed 3 were chosen for their fuel-efficient SkyActiv engine technology. The new Ford Focus also made the grade thanks to recent upgrades and improvements over past models. Volkswagen had a heavy presence on the list with three models – the Golf, GTI and Jetta. The Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Scion xB and Kia Forte were also in the top 10.

Students in the market for a used Focus or Jetta can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a wide variety of makes and models.

Modern mothers place as much value on the style of the cars they drive as they do functionality and reliability. A recent by TrueCar.com based on data from 2011 found minivans are taking a backseat to other vehicles, as crossovers and sedans dominated the list. The Honda CR-V was found to be the most popular car for moms, and the brand was the most dominant on the list, with four other vehicles making the top 10 – the Civic, Accord, Pilot and Odyssey.

"The data shows moms prefer vehicles that combine practicality with style," said Kristen Andersson, senior analyst for TrueCar.com. "Bigger is not always better when it comes to moms' favorite vehicles as evidenced by the lack of any large SUVs and only one minivan in the overall top 10."

The Honda Odyssey was ranked third on the list, as it is a top choice for mothers with at least two kids. The minivan earned such a top ranking position because if seats eight and has loads of cargo space. The Civic came in at number nine, but was one of the least expensive vehicles to break into the top 10, along with Nissan's Sentra and Altima. The average amount paid for the Civic and the Altima was under $20,500, and the Sentra had an average sale price of just under $19,000.

Whatever vehicle fits the bill for your family, New Jersey State Auto Auction is sure to have something to suit your needs. The dealer offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable pricing so you can get behind the wheel of a stylish crossover SUV, sedan or even a minivan without breaking your budget.

Teens are four times more likely to get into car accidents than older drivers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent survey from Consumer Reports indicates young drivers are also prone to engaging in distracted driving despite knowing the risks, which could be a key contributor to the rate of teen driving accidents. The report found 29 percent of teen drivers admitted to texting behind the wheel in the past month and 47 percent have made phone calls while driving.

However, when asked why they have stopped or at least curbed their behaviors, 61 percent reported learning of the dangers of distracted driving. Laws against cell phone use as well as the influence of family members also helped some teens put down their phones when they're behind the wheel.

"Our survey showed that while far too many young people are driving while distracted, they are less likely to do so when their parents, friends or siblings set a good example," said Rik Paul, auto editor for Consumer Reports. "We encourage everyone to stop the car in a safe place if they need to use a cell phone. And if they're riding with a driver using a handheld phone, ask him or her to put it down and stop gambling with their safety."

There are many different smartphone apps available that can combat phone usage while driving. Some apps sense when the phone is traveling above a certain speed and disable calls and texts. Others can be activated before embarking on a drive and will respond to calls and text messages letting people know why the driver cannot come to the phone.

Parents who want their teens to get behind the wheel of reliable used cars in NJ can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models and all the cars are CARFAX certified.

Thanks to a number of redesigns, South Korean automaker Kia has become increasingly popular over the last several years, and now it's sending another one of its cars to be retooled. The company's minivan, the Kia Sedona, will not be returning for 2013 but may make a return in 2014 with a new look, according to The Car Connection.

It's certainly a good decision. While much of Kia's fleet has been given a sporty, more youthful look, the Sedona has not been given the same treatment. Despite getting a headlight update in 2011, it's one of the only cars offered by Kia that has not been drastically redesigned over the last decade or so. Additionally, with its main competitors offering an updated look, it is about time for the Sedona to get a facelift. While there are no definite plans for a 2014 model, it seems likely.

"We see the minivan market as one that we want to stay in," Kia spokesman James Hope told the news source.

Drivers looking for a used minivan, whether Sedona or not, may want to take a few tips from Kelley Blue Book, which recently revealed its picks for the best cars in the segment.

At the top of the list was the Honda Odyssey, which is ideal for larger families who need considerably more room. It also includes a number of useful features, from small refrigerators to entertainment screens. Also making the cut, according to KBB, were the Ford Flex, Toyota Sienna and Chevrolet Traverse.

Anybody searching for a used car in New Jersey, whether it be a compact vehicle or an SUV, should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there's something for everyone.

A Tennessee couple recently broke the record for most miles driven on one tank of gas in their Volkswagen Passat TDI. John and Helen Taylor have dedicated their lives to efficient driving, and have gone around the world to learn about and teach good fuel economy practices. They hold more than 90 different records for driving and fuel conservation, and the title of longest drive on a single tank of gas is the latest to be added to their list. The Taylors chose a Passat with a 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel inline four-cylinder engine as it has an estimated fuel economy of 43 miles per gallon.

The three-day trip took place across nine states from Houston, Texas, to Sterling, Virginia. The couple drove their Passat along a standard route during normal driving hours to ensure they would encounter real life situations like traffic. They even includes 120 pounds of luggage on their journey to show drivers it is possible to get more out of a gallon of gas. The car averaged about 84.1 miles per gallon.

"We're excited to have broken the record for longest distance driven on one tank of fuel," said John Taylor. "The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet it is frugal enough to help us achieve this record."

To ensure the Taylors did not cheat, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated at a certified testing station in Texas. Houston police oversaw this as well as the initial fill-up and the sealing of the gas tank before the couple embarked on their journey.They beat the previous record of 1,526.6 miles set by a different diesel-run Passat in Europe.

Drivers looking for used cars in NJ with a decent fuel economy can check out New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of certified pre-owned vehicles at affordable prices.