With the ever-fluctuating prices of gas, the cost of driving is not the easiest thing to keep on a consistent budget. Nevertheless, a little creativity can go a long way when it comes to cutting down on your driving and relieving your car (and wallet) of excessive stress. Here are some ideas that you can put into effect immediately:

Carpool
From neighbors to coworkers, potential carpooling buddies are abundant. If you can't find anyone in your immediate circle, you can try posting up notices in your office building, apartment complex or local coffee shop to see if anyone with the same schedule and route is interested in splitting costs. Many cities also sponsor carpooling and/or "rideshare" programs so check with your city's website for information. With this arrangement, you can reduce your gas usage greatly.

Drive Strategically
As with many things in life, organizing your tasks and errands around your routine and patterns can make your time much more efficient. With driving, it's all about maximizing each trip to a destination. When you plan to go to the grocery store, for example, think about what else you need to do on the way. Is your dry cleaner or the post office on the way? Keeping a "to do" list of errands can help you organize your travel and cut down on the amount of driving you need to do to get things done.
 
Explore Your Neighborhood on Foot
Since we are a car-loving culture, sometimes we forget that we can actually walk those three blocks to the market or coffee shop rather than drive there. Not only will you save gas and parking meter fees by walking to local establishments, but you will also have an excuse to exercise and explore your neighborhood.  
 
Use Your Bike Sometimes
If you have a bike collecting dust in the corner of your garage, here's your chance to put it to good use. Try biking to near-enough destinations, or even work, if it's doable. Many workplaces offer incentives for employees to bike to work or use another mode of public transportation. It may not be an everyday activity but one that you can try once in a while. Just make sure to wear your helmet!
 
Consider Moving
This option comes with many "ifs," but the big "ifs" are that if you are at liberty to relocate and if you live too far from your workplace and social center (your commute time is more than two hours roundtrip), you should consider moving. It's no secret that commuting is a big source of stress. If you can attain a similar or better quality of life closer to your workplace, you can improve your health and reduce your mileage.