How to Save Money on Gas: 10 Easy-to-Follow Tips

Chime members can activate Chime Deals to earn cash back at the pump.
This free feature lets you earn up to $.24/gal cash back on gas and other everyday purchases through in-app offers. To find deals near you, follow these steps:

1. Open the app. Tap the Deals tab at the bottom of the home screen to view available offers.
2. Search for gas deals. Use the map view to see deals near you.
3. Activate your chosen deals. Before you head out to the gas station, tap the deal to activate it.
4. Pay with your card. When you get to the pump, swipe any physical Chime card to use your deal.
5. Get cash back. You’ll see the money deposited in your Checking Account within 10 business days. Eligible Chime Prime^** members can earn additional cash back—up to 5%^***—on top of these deals, helping you get more value from each fill-up.

You might be able to triple stack your savings even more by combining Chime Deals cash back and Chime Card rewards with your fuel or grocery rewards. Once you start earning, you can turn that cash back into real savings. Check the offer details before activating to see whether you can combine discounts.

Gas price comparison apps like GasBuddy, Gas Guru, and AAA help you find the lowest gas prices near you in real time. Just open the app before you fill up, search local stations, and head to the cheapest option – you can even get directions to make it easier.

Gas prices often change throughout the week, with Sunday and Monday typically offering the best deals. As the weekend approaches, prices tend to creep up.

Make it a habit to fill up early in the week, ideally in the morning before stations update their prices for the day. This simple timing shift can add up to real savings over time.

If you’re not signed up for loyalty programs at the pump, now is the time to get started. You might also consider using a cash back card for extra savings. Most major fuel chains, including Shell, Speedway, and BP, have free rewards that can help you save on gas.

Your savings vary by provider and how you use the plan. Most loyalty programs offer a base cents-per-gallon discount and let you earn additional perks from gasoline and in-store purchases.

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 and 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 warehouse club, consider whether the annual 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 the cost. For other ways to cut vehicle costs, you could also look into lowering your car insurance.

Speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking all decrease fuel efficiency. 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.

Here are a few more ways to squeeze extra miles out of every tank:

• Use cruise control on the highway: Maintaining a steady speed prevents unnecessary fuel burn from constant speed changes.
• Roll up your windows at higher speeds: Open windows create drag that makes your car work harder. At highway speeds, AC is more fuel-efficient than open windows.
• Combine errands into one trip: A warmed-up engine runs more efficiently than a cold one, so grouping errands avoids multiple cold starts.
• Avoid excessive idling: If you’re waiting more than 60 seconds, turn off your engine instead of burning fuel while stationary.

A well-maintained car will use gas more efficiently than a neglected one, and knowing what to budget for car maintenance can help you stay on top of these tasks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that properly inflated tires can save you $0.11 per gallon on gas. 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.

A few maintenance tasks that can help improve your gas mileage include:

• Tire pressure: Check monthly and keep tires properly inflated
• Air filter: Replace when it gets dirty
• Motor oil: Use the grade recommended in your owner’s manual
• Gas grade: Stick with regular unless your manual specifically requires premium

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.

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.

Gas prices fluctuate frequently, but these strategies give you control over what you spend at the pump. Small changes to when, where, and how you fill up can add up to real savings.

Looking for more ways to stretch your budget? Check out these strategies to save money fast.