Saving Money on Gas – Effective Tips & Strategies

With fluctuating fuel prices, saving money on gas is more important than ever. From smart driving to vehicle maintenance, these tips will help!

Higher gas prices are here to stay, putting a financial burden on many people, especially those with longer commutes. In this post, we will explore effective ways for saving money on gas. As always, these are things that we do ourselves, and they will absolutely work. If you put forth the effort, it will pay off!

Tips for Saving Money on Gas

Like most of our articles on saving money, it starts with looking honestly at your overall budget and spending. Sometimes, you can find areas where you’re spending too much, and rectifying that will keep more money in your bank account for things like gas. We have several articles on this subject that you can find in our Smart Money Tips.

From proper vehicle maintenance to ways to earn money to put towards your gas purchases, these practical gas-saving tips will help you save money on gas. So, let’s dive in!

Fuel Up at Membership Stores

Warehouse clubs and some grocery stores offer memberships that reward you by either offering points that you can use to get a discount at the pump or by offering discounted fuel.

• Kroger
  • In our area, Kroger offers the Kroger Fuel Points Program. When you purchase groceries, prescriptions, and gift cards using your membership card, you earn points that you can apply at the gas pump for up to $0.10 off per gallon. Kroger has a large family of stores. You can check for one in your area here.

Membership stores like Costco and Sam’s offer discounted fuel for members. I usually wouldn’t recommend buying a membership to get a discount, but in this case, it might be a good idea, especially at Costco.

• Costco
  • Costco Fuel Program offers up to $0.50 off per gallon when using their gas pumps, which only members can use. This is a significant savings! Use that discount on all the vehicles in your family, and it will quickly pay for itself every year, not to mention you get the additional benefit of being able to shop and save at Costco. Having said that, the wait times can be long, leaving your car idling. I always suggest turning off your engine, as an idling car can burn nearly half a gallon of fuel every 30 minutes.
• Sam’s Club
  • Sam’s Club Fuel Centers are open to anyone with an active membership. While the discount isn’t as generous as it is at Costco, you can expect to save about $0.05 to $0.15 per gallon, and sometimes even more. As I discussed in this post on ways to save money when traveling, a quick search on Google will tell you what the gas prices are in your area. Fuel prices change by the minute, and this will let you know if driving to Sam’s Club to get gas on that particular day is worth it. Check out that post to see exactly how to do it.

Pro tip: Unlike Costco, Sam’s Club regularly runs specials on new memberships. Check Rakuten before signing up. Not only are they the best source for up to date discounts and coupons, you’ll earn cash back for signing up.

Best Gas Station Rewards Program

• These days, most gas station have their own rewards system in place. They each work a little differently, but typically, you earn reward points for each gallon of gas you purchase. You’re getting a little something back for gas you needed anyway, so it just makes sense to take advantage of these programs, which are usually free. If you’re loyal to one location, the savings here can really add up.
  • Regarding which is the best, I suggest reading up on your local gas station rewards programs and choosing one that works for you. Most of us go where the gas is cheapest that day, so it’s really a matter of preference. Personally, I love the BPme Program. I hate getting gas, and the app allows you to do almost everything from your phone—even pay!

Efficient Driving Techniques

• When saving money on gas, one of the most effective strategies is to practice efficient driving techniques. You can significantly improve your fuel efficiency and reduce gas expenses by making a few adjustments to your driving habits.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

• Aggressive driving behaviors such as rapid acceleration and hard braking can hurt your gas mileage. When you accelerate quickly or brake abruptly, your vehicle consumes more fuel. Instead, try to maintain a smooth and steady driving style.

Maintain a Steady Speed to Save on Gas

• Avoid unnecessarily speeding up and slowing down, as constant changes in your speed can significantly impact how much fuel you use. Keep a consistent speed, especially on the highway, where you don’t have to stop as often.
• Use cruise control on highways—with caution. While it’s true that it helps you keep a steady speed, never use it during inclement weather. If you start to slide, cruise control thinks the vehicle is slowing down and automatically speeds up. This is exactly what happened to my husband, causing him to roll his truck three times. By the grace of God, he wasn’t hurt, but we had no idea this could happen.

Avoid Unnecessary Idling

• Turn off the engine when parked for more than a minute. Every 30 minutes of idling can burn up to a half gallon of gas. Restarting your car uses less fuel than idling for an extended period.

Vehicle Maintenance

Proper vehicle maintenance is essential for maximizing fuel efficiency and saving money on gas. You can minimize unnecessary fuel consumption by taking care of your vehicle and ensuring it is in optimal condition.

• Keep Tires Properly Inflated
  • Maintaining correct tire pressure improves fuel efficiency. When tires are underinflated, your engine has to work harder, ultimately burning more fuel.
• Check Tire Pressure Regularly
  • Make it a habit to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual or the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb for the recommended tire pressure and inflate your tires accordingly. Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
• Regularly Change Air Filters
  • To get the most out of your fuel and spend less on gas, it’s crucial to change your air filters regularly. Dirty air filters can block the airflow, causing the engine to work harder and reducing fuel efficiency.

Vehicle Maintenance Tools
Lucas Fuel Treatment	Vehicle Mileage & Expenses	Vehicle Code Reader

Use a Credit Card with Cash Back

• This is a no-brainer. If you have a credit card that offers cash back, you should use it every time you make a gas purchase or any purchase. It’s free money! The caveat is that you must also be diligent about paying that card off monthly. Don’t just keep racking up a balance on your credit card.

Plan Routes Efficiently

When saving on gas, how you plan your route can make a big difference. By following these tips, you can minimize unnecessary mileage and reduce fuel consumption:

• Instead of making multiple trips in one day, combine errands into one trip. This means less going back and forth, saving you miles driven and extra gas.
• Choose routes with less traffic and stops, especially on long trips. Traffic congestion and frequent stops can significantly impact fuel efficiency. Look for alternative routes with fewer traffic lights, stop signs, and tolls. Even if the distance is slightly longer, you’ll save gas by avoiding idling in traffic.

Use Fuel-Saving Apps

Fuel-saving apps have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. These apps typically use GPS technology to identify nearby gas stations and display real-time prices, allowing users to compare and choose the most cost-effective option.

How Fuel-Saving Apps Work

When you open a fuel-saving app, it uses your location data to compile a list of nearby gas stations and their current gas prices. This information is updated frequently, ensuring you can access the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information. Many fuel-saving apps also provide additional features that can help improve your fuel efficiency.

• Cost Savings
  • You can save significant money over time by finding the best gas prices in your area. Even slight price differences can result in substantial savings, especially for those who frequently drive long distances. Admittedly, I have no clue what local gas prices are, but my husband and son always know where to get the cheapest gas. It matters. Nickles and dimes add up, and consistently saving a little on gas adds up to big savings over time.
• Convenience
  • Fuel-saving apps make it easy to find nearby gas stations and compare prices, saving time and effort, especially on long road trips. If you have a reliable app (discussed below), you no longer have to drive around searching for the best deals or rely on outdated information from gas station signs.
• Improved Fuel Efficiency
  • Some fuel-saving apps offer tips and tools to help you drive more efficiently, improving fuel efficiency and reducing your overall gas consumption.
• Trip Planning
  • Many fuel-saving apps include trip planning features that allow you to input your destination and receive recommendations for the most efficient route, considering factors like traffic congestion, tolls, and road conditions. This not only helps save on gas but also reduces travel time.

Tire Maintenance Tools
Tire Pressure Gauge	Portable Air Compressor	Digital Tire Gauge

Apps to Save Money on Gas

• GasBuddy
  • GasBuddy is one of the most popular gas apps. It allows you to compare gas prices at different stations in your area, helping you find the cheapest options. You can also earn points and enter giveaways to win free gas.
• Waze
  • Waze is not just a navigation app. It also provides real-time traffic updates and suggests alternate routes to avoid congestion, saving time and fuel.
• Fuelio
  • Fuelio is a comprehensive fuel-tracking app that helps you keep track of your mileage and fuel efficiency.
• Gas Guru
  • Gas Guru provides up-to-date gas prices at nearby stations, allowing you to find the best deals wherever you are.

To recap, saving money on gas benefits your wallet and the environment. Implementing these tips can immediately improve fuel efficiency and save money. Remember that small changes in your driving habits and vehicle maintenance routine can make a big difference in the long run. Happy driving!

More Money-Saving Posts You May Enjoy

• 25 Ways to Save on Groceries Each Month
• How to Grocery Shop for One Person
• Realistic Ways to Save Money Each Month
• How To Save Money on Fresh Produce

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