It's an inescapable reality for every road warrior: gas prices may very well hit $4 a gallon nationwide this summer. Thanks to recent steps by roof rack companies, skyrocketing oil prices don't necessarily mean you need to curtail your travel plans. By helping you travel smarter, companies like Thule and Yakima can help you save big at the gas pump. For as long as most travelers can remember, the biggest complaint about roof top cargo carriers is that they create wind drag, especially during highway driving. This, in turn, often leads to poor fuel economy, especially on larger vehicles like SUVs and minivans. In the past, many consumers have opted for a hitch mounted cargo carrier alternative, like the StowAway2 line of carriers or hitch carriers by Thule and Rola, to avoid pain at the pump during summer roadtrips. This year, however, Thule Racks, the number one name in car racks, has taken active steps to improve the aerodynamics of their roof top carriers. By introducing a new low-profile line of roof carriers ? the Ascent Series, which is available in 4 sizes, and the top-of-the-line Spirit?Thule has succeeded in drastically reducing the amount of wind drag that you will experience when using a roof carrier. What's more, the increased aerodynamics didn't necessitate a sacrifice in looks (the Ascent Series is offered in a sharp black matte finish, while the Spirit's metallic silver or glossy black finish can't be missed) or functionality (all new models offer the same great security as previous Thule carriers). Additionally, Thule has upgraded its wind fairings for 2008. Wind fairings are the cover that attaches to the front of your roof rack system to channel wind above and around your roof rack. Thule's new line of wind fairings provides a universal fit on all Thule roof racks and features a stabilized body to better handle wind flow. While these might seem like minor innovations, these upgrades can add up to big savings over the course of a long road trip and will make for a quieter, smoother ride. That's why a quality fairing is almost always the most popular accessory for any roof rack system. Although Thule's main competitor, Yakima Racks, does not have a new cargo box design in 2008, it has approached the energy issue in a progressive way. As a company, Yakima has fully committed to ?going green? by using up to 80% recycled materials in their products, streamlining their manufacturing processes to reduce energy use and donating to carbonfund.org to fully offset its carbon footprint. In taking these steps, Yakima has done its part to reduce energy consumption which, over the long haul, is a key step in reducing gas prices. As your family gears up for the summer travel season ? whether it's a cross-country road trip or a quick hop to the beach- the impact of high gas prices can be lessened thanks to new products from Thule and an earth-friendly vision from Yakima. To shop through Thule and Yakima's roof rack catalogues, including the new Thule Ascent Series and the Thule Spirit, and to check out hitch-mounted alternatives to roof top carriers, visit www.FastTrackRacks.com.