10 Ways to Save Money on Gas
With costs rising on everything from food to the gas pump, more Americans than ever are living paycheck to paycheck. It can make you feel a little dead inside when you watch the numbers on the pump keep going up and up because it seems like there’s not much you can do.
Short of buying an electric car or giving up your car entirely, to some extent we’re just stuck with the higher prices. Luckily, there are actually some things you can do to save money on gas. You might not be able to do every single one, but chances are you’ll find at least a few things you can do right now.
10 Ways to Save Money on Gas
1. Join a rewards program.
Many gas stations offer discounts to participants in their rewards program. Find a gas station with convenient locations in your area and see what they have to offer.
2. Buy gas at Costco, Sam’s Club, or other stores with discounted gas.
We save a LOT of money on gas by getting it at Costco. Not only are the prices significantly lower, we get cash back from the Costco Citi Visa. And yes, I have been known to map out all of the Costcos on our road trips so we can strategically refill our tank.
Of course, this only works if you already pay for the membership and live close to Costco. You wouldn’t want to sign up for Costco just for the gas—especially if it means driving further to get it.
3. Find the cheapest gas stations
If you are in the habit of filling up wherever you happen to be at the moment, it’s worth it to pay a little more attention to the gas stations you drive past. When you notice one is cheaper than the others, make a point of going to that one instead.
You can also try a Google search for “gas prices near me” or try one of the apps or websites that will compare gas prices for you. (GasBuddy is one such app, but they appear to be having some tech issues due to sudden high demand.)
4. Fill up on the cheapest days
According to GasBuddy.com, the cheapest day to fill up is typically Monday. Avoid Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as the costs are often higher then.
5. Skip the premium
Unless your car specifically requires it, most vehicles will do just fine with the lower octane gas. If you’ve been using the premium gas, switching to regular can save you quite a bit of money.
6. Do regular maintenance
Make sure you get regular oil changes with the right oil for your car and keep your tires properly inflated.
7. Take it easy on the pedals
For gas vehicles, avoiding fast acceleration and braking can improve your fuel efficiency. Don’t rush to step on the gas when the light turns green and try coasting up to the intersection when you see a red light ahead.
8. Don’t run your car when it’s not moving.
Idling your car is a huge waste of gasoline, so turning off the engine is a great way to save money on gas.
9. Combine trips
If you’re used to going to the store multiple times per week or making a separate trip every time you go somewhere, see if you can combine things into one trip. Plan ahead and buy more groceries in one trip to extend the time in between trips.
10. Drive less
While this may not be a popular option for many people, it is one of the best ways to save money on gas. If you live in a walkable neighborhood, try walking more often. Ride your bike. Share rides with others going to the same destination.
Asking yourself if your trip is a want or a need is another great way to reduce your gas consumption. It’s not that you can never take trips just because you want to, but maybe you do it less frequently or combine it with a “need” trip.
Think of your trips in terms of how much gas it takes to get somewhere. Then you can decide if the trip is worth the cost or not. Simply asking yourself if your trip is worth the gas might be enough to make you stay home.