Tips for hire van users to save time and fuel

Hiring a van can make life much simpler, whether you’re shifting furniture, managing a busy trade schedule, or handling a one-off job that needs a bit more space than your everyday car can offer. But whatever the reason, everyone appreciates saving time on the road and getting the best fuel efficiency from their vehicle. With more people choosing daily van hire and flexi van hire for convenience and flexibility, knowing how to get the most out of your hire van is more important than ever.

At Intack Self Drive, we’re committed to helping our customers feel confident, informed, and ready for the road. So, we’ve gathered a handful of straightforward tips that can help make a difference, even if you’re completely new to driving vans! These simple habits can help keep your journey smoother, reduce stress, and make each mile more cost-effective, giving you a much better experience behind the wheel.

Plan smarter, drive less

It sounds simple, but one of the easiest ways to save fuel and cut down your journey time is to plan your route before you set off. Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze provide live traffic updates, alternative routes, and warnings about delays, giving you a much clearer picture of what to expect, even if you’ve already set off. If you have multiple stops, tools like Route4Me or Circuit can organise your route efficiently so you avoid unnecessary backtracking and wasted time.

A properly planned route can reduce your overall mileage by a surprising 10% and 20%, depending on the journey. That means you spend less time driving, use less fuel, and reach your destination more quickly and calmly. It also helps to avoid peak traffic where possible, as stop-start driving is one of the fastest ways to increase fuel consumption.

Drive fuel-efficiently

How you drive plays a huge part in how much fuel your van uses. Smooth and consistent driving is always more efficient than heavy acceleration and sudden braking. Looking ahead, keeping a steady speed and giving yourself room to react to changing traffic helps reduce unnecessary energy use and makes the entire journey feel more controlled and relaxed. It’s a small change, but one that brings noticeable results.

Most vans achieve their best fuel efficiency between 50 and 60 miles per hour, so staying within this range on suitable roads will help stretch each litre further. If the van you’ve picked includes cruise control, it’s worth using it on open roads, as it helps maintain a consistent speed without accidental over-acceleration. These little adjustments build up and can make a meaningful difference over the course of the day!

Load the van properly

A well-loaded van is safer and far more efficient to drive. Placing heavier items on the floor and spreading weight evenly across the load space helps the van handle better and reduces strain on the engine. This makes it easier to maintain smooth driving habits, which, in turn, supports better fuel economy and reduces vehicle wear.

It’s equally important to secure all items properly so nothing shifts while you’re on the move. Shifting loads can throw off balance, force you to brake suddenly, or even require you to stop and reorganise everything mid-journey. Removing any clutter or items you don’t need is also helpful, as unnecessary weight increases fuel consumption. Even a small amount of extra weight can make a difference over longer distances.

Plan your parking and access ahead of time

A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to parking and unloading - especially at this time of year! Checking the destination beforehand using online maps or Street View helps you understand the layout, spot driveways or loading bays, and find the safest place to stop, preventing last-minute scrambles for space or long carries from awkward parking spots, both of which slow the job down considerably.

Knowing exactly where you intend to park also makes it easier to plan how you’ll unload, especially if you’re carrying heavy or bulky items. It reduces the risk of unsafe manoeuvres, cuts down on time spent circling unfamiliar streets after missing a sharp turn, and makes the whole process more efficient. Whether you’re delivering goods, moving house, or taking tools to a job, this small step can save a surprising amount of time and faff.

These straightforward tips can make a real difference, no matter what kind of journey you’re taking or how familiar you are with driving a van. And if you’re looking for the right vehicle at the right price, our daily van hire and flexi van hire options give you complete freedom without any long-term commitment. With over 500 vehicles available and a friendly team that’s always on hand to help, we’ll make sure you get the perfect van for whatever you need. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to reach out on 01254 57811, and we’ll make sure you’re fully set for the road!