Every green car on the highway is one less polluting vehicle.

As any car fanatic knows, the Kelley Blue Book is the United State’s largest automotive vehicle valuation company. For 2010, it has just announced the top green car picks with the Toyota Prius leading the pack.

Toyota Prius

The Prius offers a special powertrain combined with a hybrid electric motor and gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine. Because of these advanced features, the Prius delivers on higher fuel economy coupled with lower emissions in comparison with regular cars in its size and price range.

Honda Insight Hybrid

The manufacturers of the Honda Insight envisioned the car as the most cost-effective hybrid car in the market and, so far, it seems to have delivered on that vision. It has a combined mileage of 41 miles per gallon with a tag price of $20,000 – about $2,000 lower than the Prius.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The best thing about the Ford Fusion Hybrid is its adept combination of class-leading fuel efficiency with top-notch cabin technology. You can have a great ride while knowing that you are also doing great things for the environment in your own commuter way.

Volkswagen Golf TDI

The Volkswagen Gold TDI uses a fuel injection system combined with an electronically controlled turbocharger, of which the end result is better fuel economy and performance in comparison with its standard model. Fuel economy is 30 city/42 highway miles per gallon on the 6-speed automatic transmission.

Mini Cooper

Despite its tea-cup sized dimensions, the Mini Cooper is a giant in the eco-friendly car field. At 32 miles per gallon combined, it is an absolutely economical choice for many single ladies.

Ford Escape Hybrid

When it comes to the SUV market, the Ford Escape hybrid is the most efficient in its category. Its 32 miles per gallon fuel economy rate is one of the best in hybrid cars although you have to pay a $9,000 premium for owning it over its gas-powered counterpart.

Honda Fit

With a combined fuel economy rate of 31 miles per gallon combined, the Honda Fit is also known for its versatile interior. It also offers navigation, iPod integration and multiple cargo arrangements although uts dated cabin tech is not exactly on top of anybody’s list.

BMW 335d

The diesel engine of BMW 335d delivers on excellent fuel economy at 27 miles per gallon combined. Very little compromise on performance can be experienced, thanks to its iDrive controller and topnotch cabin electronics.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The power of the Toyota Highlander hybrid comes from four engines – the 3.3 liter gasoline V6 engine, the two electric motors in the front and rear as well as the third electric motor operating solely as an engine starter. It has two driving modes – first, the EV modes functions only on electric power albeit at low speed and only for a mile; and second, the Econ mode limits throttle response to promote better fuel economy.

Chevy Tahoe Hybrid

The Chevy Tahoe hybrid’s powertrain is its 6-liter Vortec V8 with its patented cylinder deactivation technology. Basically, the car saves on fuel by shutting down 4 of the 8 cylinders when the additional power is unnecessary.

So, choose your hybrid car now and save the Earth from further emissions and fossil fuel use. Every green car on the highway is one less polluting vehicle.

If you’re going to be taking a trip across this beautiful country of ours, there are several things you can do to make your travel as green as possible.

The first thing to do is take your car in for a thorough inspection, to make sure it will be able to safely make the trip you want to make. Have the oil changed, all fluids topped off, and so on. Don’t just look at your tires with a critical eye and decide that they’re fine – check them with a tire gauge and be absolutely sure. And if they’re the least bit underinflated, top them off as well.

Quite simply, under inflated tires waste a lot of gasoline and money.

The faster you go in your car, the more gasoline you burn. This can be a trade-off. The faster you go, the sooner you arrive at your destination, and the more time you have to spend on vacation. But really, how much time do you save? A couple of hours?

It’s certainly hard to be the only car on the road going 60 when everyone and their brother is passing you going 70, but in the long run it saves on money and gasoline.

If this is a family trip, you’ll have, on average, your spouse and two kids with you in the car. And since two kids can’t sit still very long, you’ll be stopping at rest stops and perhaps at grocery stores, just to take the monotony out of the trip.

It’s at times like these that a lot of litter builds up in the car, which eventually has to be thrown out. One way to prevent this is to pack snacks and lunches in reusable containers, so there’s no need to stop at fast-food restaurants, and very little trash to throw out.

Make an effort to find eco-friendly lodging. There are several sites on the web where you can search for “best green hotels” or “green hotel bookings.” Typically these lodgings will have restaurants that serve organic food, use environmentally safe cleaners, use recycling bins, practice water conservation (with low flow toilets) and so on.

And as you go on your trip, be careful about acquiring too much “stuff” or souvenirs that you will only throw away once you get home, as opposed to stuff you really want and will proudly display.

Your family vacation should be memorable for you but try and leave as small a footprint behind as possible.

You make an effort to live green at home, but what happens when you go traveling?

Fortunately, more and more motels and hotels are embracing the green movement.

Don’t assume that they all are, however. As you plan your trip – so simple now that practically every motel and hotel, and every tourist spot now has its own website to tell you everything you need to know – simply check to make sure that your lodgings will be as green as you want them to be.

What kinds of things do motels and hotels do to be green?

1. Towel and Sheet Program
It used to be that lodgings would change towels and sheets every day. At green hotels, they do this only if the guest asks. Otherwise, guests reuse towels for a couple of days, and sleep on the same sheets, before replacement. (Obviously, once a guest checks out, new sheets and towels are provided for the next visitor.)

By doing this, hotels save on labor costs, as well as water and detergent costs. Towels and sheets last longer, too, by not having to be washed quite so often.

2. Alternative Energy
Does the hotel use alternative energy sources and practice energy conservation?

3. Newspaper Program
Instead of delivering a newspaper to every single room, typically a few copies are for use in the lobby.

4. Organic Food Served
More and more hotels are adding organic food in their menus.

5. Non-Smoking Rooms
More and more hotels and motels are going totally non-smokeless, which helps out a great deal when it comes to having fresh sheets to sleep on, and no draperies with that tobacco smell absorbed within. Those hotels that aren’t non-smokeless will nevertheless have non-smoking rooms – and charge hefty fines if someone is found to have smoked in there.

6. Environmental Cleaning
Does the hotel or motel use environmentally safe cleaning products?

7. Recycling
Does the hotel practice an extensive recycling campaign? Are there guest room recycling bins?

8. Durable Service Items
Does the hotel provide dishes, cups, glasses, mugs, tableware and serving pieces that are long-lasting, rather than disposable?

9. Pets Welcome?
Many people like to travel with pets. Unfortunately, many other people are allergic to pet dander. So many green hotels won’t allow them – not to be mean to the pet owner, but rather to keep their future guests safe from possible allergic reactions.