How to Save Money on Gas: 8 Easy-to-Follow Tips

Your smartphone is your friend when it comes to saving money on gas. There are multiple apps – including GasBuddy, Gas Guru, and AAA – that help you find the lowest gas prices near you.

Next time you need to fill up, just open your app, search local prices, and head out to the gas station. You can even get directions to your chosen station to make saving money on gasoline even easier.

If you’re not signed up for gas station reward programs, now is the time to get started. Most major gas station chains, including Shell, Speedway, and BP, have free gas rewards programs that can help you save on fuel.

Your savings vary by program and how you use it. Most fuel rewards programs offer a base cents-per-gallon discount and let you earn additional rewards from fuel and in-store purchases. Those rewards can typically be redeemed for extra discounts on gas.

Many of the biggest grocery store chains have rewards programs where you can earn points on your everyday grocery purchases. You can then redeem those points at participating gas stations for a per-gallon discount that makes filling up more affordable.

Here are some of the most popular programs:

• Kroger: Save up to $1 per gallon.
• Albertsons: Save between $0.10 and $1 per gallon.
• Safeway: Save $0.10 to $1 per gallon.
• Stop & Shop: Save $0.10 to $1.50 per gallon.
• Walmart: Save $0.05 to $0.10 per gallon (annual Walmart+ membership required).

If you frequently buy in bulk, you could save money by joining a membership club like Costco or Sam’s Club. These stores also have their own gas stations where members can purchase discounted gas.

Before joining a membership club, consider whether the joining fee is worth it. If you just want to save on gas and don’t need to bulk-buy items, you might not break even on your membership fee.

Your phone’s map app does more than just get you from A to B – it can help you save money on gas.

When you input your destination in your app, look for a route with the fewest traffic lights and stop signs to conserve fuel. Your app might even show you the most fuel-efficient route for your journey to even further minimize the guesswork.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the most fuel-efficient speed is between 45 and 55 miles per hour, depending on the type of vehicle you drive.

Consider how you can drive less – perhaps you could carpool with coworkers to split the cost of gas, or maybe you could hop on the bus to run errands. If your job lets you work from home some or all of the time, you can save even more money on gas.

A well-maintained car will use gas more efficiently than a neglected one.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), properly inflated tires can save you $0.11 per gallon on gas. And the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a well-maintained vehicle can have a 4% higher fuel economy rating than one that’s out of tune.

We already know speeding decreases fuel efficiency, but so do rapid acceleration and hard braking. In fact, the Department of Energy says driving sensibly can improve your fuel economy by 10% to 40%.

Just by driving safely, you could save between $0.38 and $1.53 per gallon on gas. Pair that with your other gas-saving hacks, and you could save big.

Gas prices fluctuate frequently, making budgeting difficult. By following these simple money-saving tips, you can pay less at the gas station and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.

Want more money-saving tips? Here are ways to save money fast and improve your finances.