In honor of Earth Day, the state is encouraging drivers to pump the brakes on car travel.

“Transportation is still one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Connecticut," DOT spokesperson Josh Morgan says.

The Drive Less Connecticut challenge encourages everyone to utilize more environmentally-friendly transportation options like carpooling to work, walking, biking or taking the bus or train.

“I think it’s awesome that people are trying to save the planet," Janeth Andrade, of Norwalk says. "But in my own case, that would be impossible."

The goal is to eliminate nearly 40,000 car trips over the next six weeks, Morgan says, and participating in the challenge can help save drivers money on car maintenance all while easing traffic congestion on Connecticut highways.

“Leave that car at home," Morgan says. "We have a new micro transit program in places like Norwalk and Stamford where you can use an app on your phone, and get picked up and then dropped off anywhere within a certain service area."

For every 17 car trips eliminated, the state will plant a tree in conjunction with One Tree Planted. The goal is to plant 2,000 trees.

The challenge runs until May 31, and drivers can sign up to win prizes on the CTRides App.