Speeding: The Costs Add Up Fast

April 24, 2026 // 10 min

It’s tough to get around without them. But there’s no getting around it: Cars are expensive. Between a loan payment and all the other costs that often come with a set of wheels, Americans are spending nearly 20% of their monthly budget on transportation. That’s a big chunk of change.

There’s good news, though: One quick shift in your driving style can help you save — and keep you safe. The secret? Slow down.

Here’s how pumping the brakes puts money back in your pocket.

Gas

Let’s start with the most noticeable piece of the puzzle. It’s pretty simple: The faster you go, the more fuel your engine burns. Plus, air resistance makes a big difference at highway speeds — all adding up to more frequent trips to the pump.

“But my car has a great MPG rating,” you might say. That rating is actually an estimated average. Even if you drive the most tree-hugging hybrid on the market, going easy on the gas will make every gallon go further.

It might not feel like it matters much in the moment, but over weeks and months, having a heavy foot adds up in a very real way.

 

Repairs & Maintenance

If you’ve got a speeding habit, the gas station isn’t the only place you’ll visit more. Driving fast can be tough on the rest of your car, too.

Think about what happens every time you put the pedal to the metal: You’re putting plenty of (expensive) parts under stress and higher-than-necessary temperatures. Then, when you inevitably need to stop, the same thing happens to your brakes. Plus, South Dakotans are no stranger to potholes. Ever see one too late and have to power through at full speed? Not a ton of fun — and you probably felt it in your bones.

Every car has maintenance costs. But keeping your speeds reasonable can cut down on wear and tear and save you a spendy trip to the mechanic.

 

 

 

Brakes

Slowing down from higher speeds wears down your brake pads and rotors more quickly.

Tires

Every part of driving fast — speeding up, slowing down, and turning — wears down your tire treads.

Suspension

Going over bumps at high speeds is tough on your shocks and springs.

 

 

Engine

High speeds and quick acceleration put extra stress on every part of your engine.

Insurance & Tickets

If you’ve ever been pulled over for speeding, you’ll feel this one right away. But getting a ticket isn’t just a one-time expense: the cost of your insurance policy is likely to go up if you live over the limit.

 

Speeding is a risk factor for insurance companies, and riskier drivers tend to be more expensive to take care of. That cost gets passed on to you.

 

 

We all do it. We can all fix it.

It might feel like everyone’s speeding, or that 5 mph over the limit isn’t a big deal. You might even feel like the risk is worth saving a few minutes per trip. But when you look at the big picture, slowing down is the right move.

Letting off the gas is a small change — that can save you some major change.