Friday is National Walk to Work Day

Ninety percent of American workers drive or carpool to work, while 5.3 percent take public transportation, according to data reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. This leaves those who walk to work in the vast minority at under 5 percent.

National Walk to Work Day 2013, which takes place Friday, April 5, aims to encourage Americans to be more active by walking to work instead of driving.

National finance site GoBankingRates.com, however, finds there are financial benefits to walking as well. In its National Walk to Work Day 2013 report, the site explains how walking to work can help consumers add more money to their savings accounts by eliminating the rising cost of fuel from their budgets.

In fact, the report estimates the average commuter could save $12 in just one day by walking to work instead of driving; those who use public transit could save $5. By making this one-time practice an ongoing habit, commuters could save $240 or more per month in transportation expenses.

Additionally, the report explains how habitual walkers can combat the high cost of poor health. A 2012 study released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation revealed that half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 unless they change their lifestyles.

"Improved health will mean fewer visits to the doctor’s office and emergency room. And, of course, you benefit from fewer out-of-pocket expenses for medication and at-home medical supplies," said expert GoBankingRates contributor Stacey Bumpus.

View the complete guide to saving money on National Walk to Work Day 2013.