If anyone has a reason to care about gas prices, it’s me. As a sports dad in Tennessee, I spend a significant chunk of my life behind the wheel. Whether it’s driving my kids to practices, games, or tournaments, I’m driving constantly throughout the Southeast. Even when gas prices are low, our fuel costs are high. Now that prices are about as painful as I can remember, it’s eating up a real chunk of our monthly budget.
So I’ve had to get serious about finding ways to save money on gas. These are the actual strategies I use every week on real roads. Here’s what actually works to reduce the cost of fueling up your car.
1. Keep Your Car Maintained and Your Tires Properly Inflated
You’ve heard this one before. But there’s a reason it’s always on these lists: it works. A poorly maintained engine and underinflated tires both force your car to work harder, which burns more fuel. Get the basics right before worrying about anything else. For most cars, you can do this task once and be done with it for the next 3 to 6 months.
Other car maintenance tasks to handle while adding air to your tires:
- Get your oil changed regularly. Most cars need an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- Replace air filters twice a year. I do this myself, and it literally takes 3 minutes. I set up an auto-purchase on Amazon for engine air filters and cabin air filters, and I replace them every 6 months when they arrive.
- Don’t ignore warning lights. I use this engine code reader to find out what’s going on with my car without having to visit a mechanic. You can also visit AutoZone, and they’ll do it for free.
2. Use Apps to Find the Cheapest Gas Near You
There’s no reason to guess which station has the best price when apps do the work for you. I use these regularly to scope out the lowest prices along my route before I leave the house. A few cents per gallon adds up fast when you’re filling up as often as I am.
- Upside. I use the Upside app (Apple or Google) to save money on gas and get cash back on snacks, drinks, and restaurant purchases at participating stores with linked debit or credit cards. Use my referral code “T37JH” to get $0.15 extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra on your first restaurant or grocery store purchase.
- GasBuddy. GasBuddy shares gas prices at nearby gas stations. You can save up to $0.33 per gallon when using the Pay with GasBuddy+ card. Earn rewards at popular retailers that you can redeem for even more savings on fuel. (Mobile app) A premium membership of $9.99 per month saves at least $0.20 on every fill-up, and up to $0.50 on eligible transactions.
- TruNow. Shares local gas prices. Upload receipts to receive rewards that you can redeem for cash. Use my referral code “FN4I8U” to receive $1 after uploading your first receipt. (Mobile app)
3. Sign Up for Gas Station Loyalty Programs
Many gas station chains offer rewards programs that give you discounts the more you spend with them. My advice: pick one brand you pass regularly and stick with it. The rewards compound over time, and consistency pays off more than bouncing around chasing one-time deals.
Here are the links to major gas station loyalty programs within the U.S. Let me know down in the comments if I’m missing any.
- BP / Amoco / AmPm / Thornton’s Earnify. Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on fuel and 2 points on convenience store purchases with Earnify. Other promotions include a $0.05 to $0.10 discount when paying by a linked bank account instead of a credit card. Bonus points on purchases inside the gas station.
- Exxon Mobil Rewards+. Earn rewards on gas and convenience store purchases, including double rewards on premium gas with Exxon Mobil Rewards+. Get up to $0.20 per gallon in total benefits when you stack rewards. Use my referral code “$P1RSSE9” when signing up.
- 7 Eleven 7Rewards. With 7Rewards, you’ll earn points on every purchase at 7-Eleven gas stations and convenience stores. When you sign up, you’ll save $0.11 a gallon on your first 7 trips. Plus, you get a free Slurpee during your birthday month! Upgrade to the Gold Pass ($9.95 per month; $5.95 for students; first 30 days free) to get 7 free drinks a month, an extra $0.05 off gas, exclusive deals, and more.
- Shell Fuel Rewards. The Fuel Rewards app rewards customers with bigger discounts the more they buy gas at Shell gas stations. I’m currently at Gold status because I’ve been buying gas at Costco more frequently. Customers earn 3 American Airlines miles per gallon of fuel they buy when they link their account (but this also forfeits elite-status fuel savings). Receive complimentary Gold status and $0.10 off your next fill-up when using my referral link.
4. Triple-Dip Rewards With the Right Credit Card
This is my favorite tip, and it’s the one most people overlook.
When using the Upside app and the gas station’s loyalty program, you get to double-dip on rewards. I also use a rewards credit card that offers bonus points for gas station purchases. What makes this special is that these rewards stack on top of whatever rewards you’re already earning on the same purchase. That’s what I call “triple-dipping” — you’re earning cash back or rewards three different ways without spending anything extra.
If you’re not using one that offers bonus rewards on gas purchases, you’re leaving money on the table every single fill-up. I use mine to maximize points I can redeem for travel or straight cash back. It’s one of the easiest wins out there.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite credit cards that earn a bonus at gas stations:
- PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card. Unlimited 5x points on gas purchases and EV charging stations.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. (The Blue Cash Preferred also earns 3%, but it has an annual fee).
- Citi Strata Premier® Card. Unlimited 3x points on gas and EV charging.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Get 3% cash back on your choice of categories (including gas and EV charging) on $2,500 in combined bonus category purchases each quarter. Double cash back on the category of your choice in the first year.
- The Gemini Credit Card®. Earn 4% back on gas, EV charging, transit, taxis & rideshares on up to $300 in spend per month.
- Citi Custom Cash® Card. Get 5% cash back on the first $500 spent each month in your top eligible spending category (including gas).
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card. Receive an unlimited 3x points on gas purchases.
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco, plus 4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent each year on gas and EV charging anywhere else. You must have a Costco membership to get this card.
5. Combine Trips and Map Out Your Route Ahead of Time
When you run errands separately, you spend a lot of time and money going back and forth. Use the UPS delivery strategy of mapping out your route and hitting all of your errands at once. This will reduce the amount of gas you use each day, and you’ll save time as well.
You should also consider using delivery services for these errands. If there’s no extra charge (or if it’s a nominal amount), you may be better off having someone else run the errand for you. Just today, I was going to run to Walmart to grab a few household items, but since a free Walmart Plus membership is one of the hidden benefits of the American Express Platinum Card, I had them deliver my order for free. [Editor’s note: Ok, it wasn’t completely free since I gave the driver a tip. But $3 was well worth my time and gas money.]
6. Remove Unused Gear From Your Vehicle
I routinely drive around with a couple of hundred pounds of soccer and camping gear in the back of my SUV. While those extra pounds may not seem like much, they add up over time because the engine has to work harder (aka burn more gas) every time I start, stop, or accelerate. Take a cue from me and evaluate which of those items really need to be back there every day vs. just when you’re actually going to use them.
- Is the Get Out Pass worth it? – An annual membership that includes free admission to dozens of local attractions.
7. Is Costco or Sam’s Club Gas Worth It?
We’ve had a Costco membership for years because of the bulk discounts you get when shopping for food and other household items. What some people don’t realize is that warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club consistently offer gas prices that are noticeably cheaper than your average corner station. I use them whenever I can because our local Costco is typically 30 cents cheaper on regular and 60 cents cheaper on premium than nearby gas stations.
The catch with warehouse club gas stations is that you must be a member, and their hours are more limited. Plus, they aren’t as common as corner gas stations, so the drive to Costco may not be worth it. And they don’t accept all credit cards (ex: Costco only accepts Visa). With all these factors, buying gas at Costco or Sam’s Club to save money doesn’t always fit into the flow of a busy week.
If you already have a membership and live near a warehouse store, saving money on gas is a no-brainer. But if you’re thinking about buying a membership or driving miles to the nearest location just to access cheaper gas, run the numbers first. Depending on how much you drive, it may or may not pencil out.
8. Avoid Premium Fuel Unless Your Car Actually Requires It
Some car owners buy premium fuel because they think it will boost their car’s performance. In most cases, that’s just wasting money. You’ll pay significantly more per gallon and won’t notice any meaningful difference in performance.
Where I live, premium gas is often $0.60 to $0.90 a gallon higher than regular unleaded. For a 20-gallon tank, that’s an extra $12 to to $18 every time you buy gas.
Before heading to the gas station, check your owner’s manual. If your car doesn’t specifically require premium fuel, don’t buy it. It’s one of the easiest ways people waste money at the pump without realizing it.
9. Don’t Drive Out of Your Way to Save Money on Gas
This one drives me crazy, and I see it all the time.
Gas is $0.15 cheaper across town, so you drive five miles out of your way to fill up. While you saved money on the total gas purchase, how much time and money did you spend to save? The gas you burn getting there eats into (and often completely wipes out) whatever you saved.
Stay local, and shop around for the best deals nearby. Or add filling up to your errands and buy gas at the cheapest gas station along your route. Remember… the “savings” aren’t real if you’re burning fuel to find them.
The Bald Thoughts About Saving Money on Gas
You don’t have to dramatically change your lifestyle to save money on gas. Stack a few of these strategies together, and you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up. Some of these tips only require a few minutes of effort every few months, while others require a little research before filling up. I like stacking discounts to maximize rewards and save the most money on each purchase. By combining a rewards credit card that earns bonus points on gas, the Upside app, and the gas station’s loyalty program, I easily save $0.20 to $0.30 or more per gallon every time I fill up my tank. As someone logging hundreds of miles a week for youth sports, every dollar counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for finding cheap gas prices near me?
There are several good options, but I’m a big fan of the Upside app because it does double duty. It shows you nearby stations with competitive prices and offers exclusive cash-back deals that stack on top of your credit card rewards. GasBuddy is another popular option strictly for finding low prices in your area.
Is a Costco or Sam’s Club membership worth it just for the cheaper gas?
It depends on how much you drive, and if you can save money by buying food and household goods inside the store. Warehouse clubs consistently offer some of the lowest gas prices around. But, you need to do the math based on your membership cost versus how often you’d realistically use their pumps and how much you’d save per gallon. If you already have a membership for other reasons, it’s absolutely worth using their gas.
Does premium gas really make a difference?
For most cars, no. Unless your vehicle’s owner’s manual specifically requires premium fuel, you’re paying more for no meaningful benefit. Save your money and stick with regular unleaded.
What credit cards offer the best rewards on gas purchases?
Several cards offer bonus cash back or points on gas, including options from Chase, Citi, and various co-branded cards. The best one depends on your overall spending habits and whether you prefer cash back or travel rewards. The key is to make sure the card you’re using at the pump specifically rewards gas purchases.
How much can I realistically save by combining these strategies?
More than you’d think. Stacking a gas loyalty program, a cash-back credit card, and the Upside app on every fill-up can easily save you at least 20 to 40 cents per gallon or more. Multiply that across hundreds of miles a week, and it adds up to real money over the course of a year.
Never heard of TruNow. Does it overlap with Upside or can you double dip?
Yes, you can double dip. Problem is that cashing out can be a challenge with TruNow. But it’s easy rewards.