Technology has come far in recent years, and it continues to improve. Google's latest upgrade is a prime example of making something that's good even better. The internet giant's handy navigational tool, Google Maps, not only provides accurate step-by-step directions, but it offers estimated trip durations as well. The service used to provide travel times for both ideal driving conditions and traffic-heavy trips, but the traffic estimates were proving to be inaccurate, so Google removed the service, according to Engadget.

Now, Google has reworked the algorithm to provide more accurate, up-to-date traffic predictions using current conditions as well as historical traffic data to calculate how long a trip will take. Drivers who rely on Android phones for navigation can take advantage of these trip estimates on the road, especially when they enable the "MyLocation" feature to make the predictions more accurate, according to the Google Maps and Earth team's blog.

Those who choose to research directions before they leave the house may find it will be faster to take public transportation than drive, if the option is available. This can be a great way to conserve gas and save money. Even if you drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, hopping on a bus or a train and leaving the car at home takes far less gas than driving – even if you have to drive to a train station first.

With the average cost for a gallon of gas nearing $4 per gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, drivers are looking for ways to save at the pump. Those in the market for their next car can look for cars with decent fuel economy, and there are many used vehicles that will help drivers save at the pump. New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of affordable used vehicles, so drivers are sure to find the perfect ride to suit their needs.

There's been a lot of talk about Google's self-driving Toyota Prius, and whether or not it would be a viable option for the road. After the search engine giants recently posted a video of the vehicle driving a blind man to Taco Bell, it seems like it's becoming more of a reality that these cars could be more common.

The man behind the wheel in the video was Steve Mahan, ABC News reports. Although he was sitting in the driver's seat, he certainly was not controlling the car. Mahan, who is 95 percent blind, was safely brought to his destination, and the car's designers feel his trip is validation that their design, which uses complicated artificial intelligence, is working. There is still a lot of work to be done, they admit, but they are taking steps in the right direction.

"There’s much left to design and test, but we have now safely completed more than 200,000 miles of computer-led driving, gathering great experiences and an overwhelming number of enthusiastic supporters," a post by Google said.

Designers claim the self-driving car, which can sense traffic conditions and mimic human action, is safer than placing a person behind the wheel. However, some people are not very convinced. Nevada is the only state to have passed a bill allowing the self-driving cars on the road, but other similar pieces of legislation are being put forward in California, Florida, Hawaii and Oklahoma, according to ABC.

It will certainly be a while until self-driving cars are ruling the roads, but until that time you can still find plenty of reliable and exciting cars at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is something for everyone.

In just a few days, the New York International Auto Show will open its doors and the showcase of new vehicles will begin. Every year, this event plays host to numerous world debuts of new vehicles and concept cars, and 2012 should be no different. Nearly every major automaker will be displaying at least one new design at this highly anticipated show, and automotive research provider Total Car Score recently compiled a list of some of the hottest new vehicles to be debuted at the car show.

"The vibrancy we sensed at the Detroit show in January is real and it's growing," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "Alongside mainstream sedans such as the Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Impala, we'll be seeing super-luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 and pure exotic cars like the SRT Viper, which is being brought out of retirement by an emerging Chrysler-Fiat parent company."

Brauer also mentioned the Subaru XV Crosstrek – a crossover SUV that was previously introduced to the European market. This vehicle has been touted as a larger, more souped-up version of the Subaru Impreza, offering the same power with more space.

"There's still a strong market for large and luxurious SUVs, so the all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will be another important unveil," Brauer mentioned.

Car and Driver reports the second generation GL will still have three rows of seating, but it is expected to offer better fuel economy and more passenger cabin space.

While new cars debuting at the Auto Show will not be available on the market right away, they will eventually be available to the public. Drivers looking for an affordable used vehicle in the meantime can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, drivers will be able to find a car show-worthy vehicle.

The economy has been well on its way to recovery over the last several months, and nothing is more indicative of this than recent findings on consumers spending. The Commerce Department found spending rose 0.8 percent in February, with much of the rise thanks in large part to auto sales, Reuters reports.

The report is yet another reason to feel optimistic given that spending rose a bit more than economists had predicted. Before February, most had anticipated about a 0.6 percent gain, and although it is not that much higher than the forecast, it is still an encouraging sign and the biggest increase since September.

Perhaps the most quickly-rising segment of consumer spending is auto sales. In particular, analysts found that car purchases in February rose 10 percent compared to the same month in 2011, and Edmunds.com suspects the trend will continue into March. According to The Wall Street Journal, the website believes that auto sales will grow 17 percent compared to March 2011.

."Vehicle trade-in rates have achieved sustained highs in recent months, which suggests that consumers have decided that they've held onto their cars for too long," Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell told the newspaper.

Anybody looking to contribute to the growing trend may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. In addition to offering consumers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, NJ Auto is also an Autotrader.com Trade In Marketplace Dealership, so it can be easy to take advantage of the high trade-in values. Additionally, you can get a quick appraisal of your vehicle to speed up the process.