15 Smart Ways to Save Money on Gas
Gas prices go up and down for many reasons, which can make it a tough expense to budget for. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is about $3.47 nationally as of March 9, 2026, according to AAA, up from about $2.90 a month ago. One of the biggest drivers of that change? The war in Iran affecting both the production and transportation of oil.
But you can still save money on gas based on where you fill up, how you pay, when you visit the gas station, how you drive, how you maintain your car, and by using cash back apps and credit cards.
Learning how to spend less on fuel can make a big difference in your transportation budget. For example, if you drive about 1,000 miles a month and your car averages 25 miles per gallon, you’ll buy about 40 gallons of gas each month. Saving just 20 cents per gallon could reduce your fuel spending by about $8 per month, or nearly $100 per year.
Gas Prices Aren’t the Only Bills You Can Lower This Month
If you’re looking to cut everyday costs, gas isn’t the only place to focus. From your internet bill to your auto insurance, there are tons of other ways to trim your monthly spending without sacrificing quality or convenience.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to save on everyday essentials.
| Offer | Why We Like It | What You Need to Do | Start Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Penny Hoarder Auto Insurance Tool | Save ~$500 per year | Provide some basic information | |
| AmOne | Save on interest payments with a personal loan | Answer a 10 quick qualifying questions | |
| Balance Transfer Credit Cards* | Cancel Your Interest Payments Until 2026 | Apply for a 0% Interest Credit Card | |
| Upside | Save $40/month on Gas | Download this free app |
The Fastest Ways to Save Money on Gas
You can save money on gas quickly with a combination of cash back apps, gas rewards programs and smarter fueling habits.
Quick strategies include:
- Use a cash back gas app like Upside, which offers rebates at participating gas stations
- Compare prices with gas finder apps like GasBuddy
- Use a credit card that offers gas rewards or cash back
- Join fuel rewards programs
These strategies can reduce the effective price per gallon without changing how much you drive. Using them together can help you save even more.
How to Find the Cheapest Gas Near You
You can find the cheapest gas near you by researching prices at gas stations nearby. Apps and price comparison tools can help you quickly find the lowest prices before filling up.
| App | What It Does | Potential Savings | Best For |
| Upside | Cash back offers at participating gas stations | Up to ~25¢ per gallon depending on location | Drivers who want fuel rebates |
| GasBuddy | Shows nearby gas prices and user reports | Varies by station | Finding the cheapest gas nearby |
Avoid higher-priced gas at busy stations by finding the best prices before heading to the pump.
15 Ways to Save Money on Gas
1. Use a Cashback Gas App (Like Upside)
You can save money on gas by earning cash back with an app called Upside, which helps you earn cash back on everyday purchases. The app shows you participating local gas stations where you can beat the pump price by as much as 25 cents per gallon.
Plus, you can earn cash back at grocery stores and restaurants including places like Domino’s, Taco Bell, Five Guys, Popeyes and Applebee’s.
People who use the app regularly earn as much as $290 every year as cash money deposited straight into their PayPal or bank account. Or redeem it for a gift card from popular brands like Amazon and Starbucks.
Download the Upside app, set up a free account and check the map to find participating stores near you. When you’re ready, claim an offer, tap “Check In” before you pay with your linked card.
You can cash out any time, and you’ll get your money within two days of initiating a transfer. Download the Upside app and use code PENNY25 to get an extra 25 cents per gallon off your first purchase.
You can also learn more about Upside in our Upside review.
2. Compare Gas Prices With a Gas Finder App
Gas finder apps help drivers identify the lowest prices nearby before filling up. You don’t want to buy gas at one place and then come across a station with cheaper fuel just down the street. Several websites and apps tell you the price of gasoline at the stations in your area. GasBuddy and Waze are two popular options.
Look for the cheapest gas stations along any of the routes you normally drive for work or shopping. Don’t wait until your tank is near empty and be forced to buy gas wherever is closest.
The price of gas can vary significantly across state lines, so if you’re planning a trip, check where prices are lower throughout your route. Avoid getting gas at stations just off a highway exit or in the middle of a major city — stations in those locations tend to charge more than ones a little more out of the way.
3. Use a Credit Card That Earns Cash Back or Rewards on Gas
Some credit cards offer bonus rewards or cash back for fuel purchases. When you fuel up, choose a credit card that pays you cash back or one that allows you to earn rewards points when you purchase gas. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into before opening a rewards credit card. Also, pay the fuel charges off in full each month so you’re not paying interest on your gas purchases.
4. Join Gas Station Rewards Programs
Many gas station chains and grocery stores across the country offer discounts and loyalty programs in hopes of turning you into a loyal customer. Each gas station fuel rewards program and grocery store fuel rewards program has its own set of rules on how much you can save and what you have to spend to get the rewards, so read up on the details.
GasBuddy also offers its own fuel savings program called Pay with GasBuddy. Join for free, and you’ll save up to 25 cents per gallon when you fill up at most national gas station chains. You can also sign up for a paid version. Pay with GasBuddy Premium is $9.99 a month and offers up to 40 cents off per gallon. Just check that your gas station of choice accepts the Pay with GasBuddy card — not everywhere does.
5. Use Grocery Store Fuel Rewards
Some grocery chains like Kroger allow shoppers to earn fuel points when they buy groceries.
These points can typically be redeemed at partner gas stations for discounts per gallon. For households already buying groceries weekly, these programs may offer an easy way to save on fuel.
6. Choose Regular Gas If Your Car Allows It
Premium gas often costs significantly more per gallon, but many vehicles are designed to run on regular fuel.
Higher-octane gas isn’t necessary or beneficial in most cars, so you’re just spending more money when you buy premium. Premium gas can cost about 20 to 40 cents per gallon more than regular-grade fuel. Use regular-grade gasoline unless your car’s manufacturer specifically requires premium. If your car’s manual says regular gasoline is OK, choosing it may help reduce fuel costs.
7. Fill Up Earlier in the Week
Gas prices sometimes increase later in the week as travel demand rises before the weekend, although trends can vary by region. According to a GasBuddy gas price analysis, gas prices tend to be the lowest on Sundays. If you’re looking to buy cheap gas, avoid filling your tank on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, when gas prices tend to be the most expensive.
8. Plan Trips to Reduce Driving
Plan your shopping trips and other outings in efficient ways to reduce how many miles you drive. If the grocery store is near your job, do your shopping after work rather than waiting until the weekend. Do your errands all in one day rather than making several trips on different days. Cutting a few miles several times weekly could save a fill-up or two.
9. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which can lower your gas mileage and cause you to lose about 2 cents per gallon, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To find the proper tire pressure for your car, check your owner’s manual or the sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or in the glove box.
10. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Rapid Acceleration
Aggressive driving behaviors like rapid acceleration and sudden braking can increase fuel consumption. Following the speed limit or driving just under it can pay off in more ways than one. The faster you drive, the more wind resistance you face, which reduces your fuel economy. But many cars are also more fuel efficient at highway speeds, so there’s a trade-off.
11. Remove Unnecessary Weight From Your Vehicle
Extra weight in your vehicle requires more fuel to move. The less you have weighing down your vehicle, the better gas mileage it gets. Look at what you’ve got in your car and remove anything you don’t need. The neglected sports equipment in your trunk can go.
12. Use Cruise Control on Long Highway Drives
Cruise control helps maintain steady speeds during highway travel. When it’s hilly, you might get better mileage without cruise control because the system will tend to downshift too much and waste gas. But otherwise, cruise! Staying at a steady speed with cruise control has been shown to save on fuel usage — plus you can make sure you don’t go over the speed limit.
13. Avoid Idling Your Car for Long Periods
Running the engine while parked consumes fuel without moving the vehicle. Don’t start the car and then leave it running for a long time while you wait for everyone to get in or to fiddle with your navigation. Make sure you’re ready to go before starting your engine.
14. Keep Your Vehicle Properly Maintained
Routine vehicle maintenance helps engines operate efficiently. Don’t wait for the check engine light to come on before taking your ride to the garage. Keeping a fuel-efficient vehicle means investing in preventive checkups to keep your car firing on all cylinders.
15. Consider a More Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle may reduce long-term fuel expenses if you’re planning to replace your current car. Making your next vehicle one that has a higher MPG (miles per gallon) rating is a sure-fire way to spend less on gasoline. Consider a hybrid car — or a used electric one, if you never want to worry about buying gas again.
A vehicle with a manual transmission also tends to have better fuel efficiency than an automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Prices
The lowest gas prices usually depend on your location. Many drivers find cheaper fuel at warehouse clubs, grocery store fuel centers or discount stations. Gas price apps can also help compare nearby stations before filling up.
Gas prices often fluctuate during the week, but some markets see lower prices on Sundays before demand increases heading into the weekend. However, patterns can vary depending on local supply and demand.
Apps like GasBuddy and Upside allow drivers to view nearby gas prices and identify stations offering lower prices or cash back offers. These tools use location data and user reports to help drivers compare options quickly.
Warehouse retailers sometimes sell gasoline at lower profit margins to attract customers to their stores. Membership fees and in-store purchases may help offset those lower margins.
Fuel prices typically change based on regional supply, wholesale fuel costs and demand patterns rather than the time of day. Checking local price comparison apps may be a more reliable way to find lower prices.
Gas cash back apps may provide rebates ranging from a few cents to around 25 cents per gallon depending on location, promotions and participating stations. Savings vary by driver, but these apps can help reduce the effective price per gallon over time.
Final Verdict
Saving money on gas usually comes from combining several strategies rather than relying on one tactic. Use cash back apps, compare gas prices nearby and participate in fuel rewards programs to help reduce the price you pay per gallon. At the same time, fuel-efficient driving habits and routine vehicle maintenance can lower how much gas your car uses overall.
These strategies can reduce gas expenses and help you secure discounts at many gas stations nationwide. Before you hit the road, get up to speed on reducing fuel prices so you can spend your money when you get there instead of on getting there.
Former Penny Hoarder staff writers Mike Brassfield, Kaz Weida, Nicole Dow and contributor Steve Gillman contributed to this post.
