How to Save Money on Gas

Gas is the third-largest monthly expense for most American households. These strategies cut fuel costs by 15-30% without requiring you to drive less or change your commute.

Use GasBuddy to Find the Cheapest Station

The GasBuddy app (free for iOS and Android) shows real-time gas prices at every station near you, updated by other users. Prices routinely vary by $0.30-$0.60 per gallon within a 5-mile radius. For a 15-gallon fill-up, choosing the cheapest nearby station saves $4.50-$9.00 per tank.

The GasBuddy Pay card links to your checking account (not a credit card, so no interest) and saves an additional $0.05-$0.25 per gallon on top of the posted price. Stack it with a gas rewards credit card for maximum savings.

Stop Buying Premium Unless Required

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. There is a critical difference between “premium recommended” and “premium required.” If it says recommended, regular unleaded is perfectly fine and the engine adjusts automatically. Only “premium required” means you must use it. The vast majority of cars on the road today are designed for regular 87 octane. Switching from premium to regular saves $0.40-$0.60 per gallon, which adds up to $200-$400 per year for a typical driver.

Fill Up at Warehouse Clubs

Costco and Sam’s Club gas stations consistently price their fuel $0.15-$0.40 per gallon below surrounding stations. If you already have a membership and drive past one regularly, always fill up there. Costco gas is Top Tier certified (the same quality rating as major brand stations like Shell and Chevron), so there is zero quality sacrifice.

Driving Habits That Save Fuel

Accelerate gradually. Jackrabbit starts from stoplights burn 20-30% more fuel than smooth, gradual acceleration. Pretend there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal.

Use cruise control on highways. Maintaining a steady speed instead of fluctuating between 60 and 75 mph improves fuel economy by 7-14%. Every speed variation requires the engine to work harder.

Coast to red lights. When you see a red light or stop sign ahead, take your foot off the gas early and coast. Accelerating toward a stop wastes the fuel you just burned.

Slow down on the highway. Every 5 mph over 50 mph costs roughly $0.20-$0.30 per gallon equivalent in reduced fuel efficiency. Driving 65 instead of 75 on the highway saves approximately 15% on fuel. Leaving 5 minutes earlier is cheaper than driving 10 mph faster.

Reduce Vehicle Weight and Aerodynamic Drag

Clean out your trunk. Every 100 pounds of unnecessary weight reduces fuel economy by about 1%. Roof racks and cargo boxes create aerodynamic drag that can reduce highway fuel economy by 10-25% even when empty. Remove them when not in use.

Check Tire Pressure Monthly

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy by 0.2% for every 1 PSI drop below the optimal level. Check pressure monthly when the tires are cold (before driving that day). The correct pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb. The number on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure rating, not the target. Most tires should be at 32-35 PSI.

Stack Gas Cashback Rewards

Upside app: Gives $0.05-$0.25 per gallon back at participating stations. Check the app before filling up to claim the offer.

Grocery store fuel points: Kroger, Safeway, and other chain grocery stores offer fuel discounts based on grocery spending. A typical $100 grocery trip earns $0.10 per gallon off at their affiliated gas stations. During promotional periods, some stores offer 4x fuel points, turning a $100 grocery trip into $0.40 per gallon savings.

Gas cashback credit card: Cards like Citi Custom Cash offer 5% back on your top spending category. If gas is your top category, you earn $0.15-$0.25 back per gallon.

Stacking all three (Upside + fuel points + credit card) can save $0.30-$0.90 per gallon on a single fill-up.

Bottom Line

Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest station, stop buying premium unless your manual says “required,” fill up at Costco, drive 65 instead of 75, and check tire pressure monthly. Stack Upside, grocery fuel points, and a cashback credit card for maximum per-gallon savings. Combined: 15-30% reduction in fuel costs.