Tips To Save Money on Gasoline

by: Anthony Vion 

reviwed and approved by Eve Fish

When I got my first career job in 1997, the price of gas was 97 cents a gallon. That was in New Jersey, but fortunately and unfortunately, that was where the office was even though I was living on Long Island. 

I bring that up because gas was over $1.10 a gallon on Long Island at the time. So, me being me, I made sure I filled up in the Garden State instead of paying more for the same fuel. Ridiculous paying over 10 cents a gallon extra.  

I figured I was filling up twice a week at about 10 gallons each time, that’s roughly 100 fill-ups a year. So, I saved about $1 each time, that’s $100 for the year. Hey, better in my pocket than the big oil companies. 

And that’s just one way you can save money on gas, not that you have to go to another state. But sometimes even going down the road can save you over thirty cents a gallon. Not kidding.  

I’ll let you in on a bunch of other ways you can keep more money in your pocket as well when you’re driving around town. 

More On Smarter Price Shopping 

In the old days, you would have to hunt down the best gas prices by driving around to different gas stations and wasting gas, which kind of defeats the purpose.  

Today, the world has changed and we have apps that do the work for us, like Gas Buddy and Upside, that show you prices starting with the gas stations closest to you. And they update in real time, so there are no surprises when you pull up to the pump. 

You want to be strategic about when you fill up as well. A lot of gas stations lower their prices earlier in the week when less people are gassing up. I generally try to go on a Monday or Tuesday and score a few extra cents off a gallon. 

Don’t wait until the weekend. That’s when you’ll usually see the highest prices since more people are traveling.   

And I always avoid the gas stations right off the Long Island Expressway, but this goes for all major highways. They figure they can charge a good deal more per gallon because people pulling off are probably almost on empty and won’t be as picky. 

Also, do you really need the premium grade gas? If your car doesn't specify or require high octane gasoline, then do yourself a favor, stick to regular and you’ll feel the savings much faster.  

Don’t Miss Out On Loyalty & Rewards Programs 

Most gas stations have their own loyalty programs where you can save a certain amount of cents off every gallon. Costco offers a discount of around 16-20 cents per gallon compared to other stations. You just need a valid membership.  BJ’s will give you some nice savings as well.   

I’m a Speedway guy. With the app, I save 7 cents per gallon on every fill up, plus earn rewards points that I can redeem for Speedway Gas Cards, other gift cards and even up to an additional 50 cents a gallon off. That reminds me, I have almost 25,000 points I need to cash in. 

Back to Upside, along with letting you know where the lowest prices are, they also give you cash back when you buy gas. You just have to claim an offer at a gas station that they show you and use a credit or debit card registered with your account. 

I signed up a little over three years ago and have saved $312.42 to date. That’s free money. And you can cash out at any time to your bank account or for a gift card.  

Depending on where you go, you’ll see anywhere from $0.04 to $0.17 cents a gallon back. Just keep your eye on the stations getting the biggest discounts. A lot of the time they have higher prices, but not always. 

Also, I always use a credit card to buy gas. You know, for the points. Be sure to compare the reward programs as some cards will give you 2X or even up to 5X the points for gas purchases.  

Stop Flooring The Gas Pedal 

I know, you want to get where you are going as quick as possible. Me, too. But, and I’m sure you know this already, when you accelerate fast, you’re using more gas. You’re also not doing your brakes any favors either because you have to hit them harder to slow down. 

Try for smooth, gradual changes in speed. Accelerate slowly and maintain a steady speed, especially on highways. You may lose a second or two, but you’ll be saving money on gas and that’s what you’re looking to do.  

Cruise control is a great feature on long stretches that can help keep you at a consistent speed. No need to keep speeding up and slowing down when you have an open road in front of you.  

My Prius gives me a report of how I drove every time I turn it off. It’s a good reminder.  

Watch Your Tire Pressure 

This is something that you’d probably never think about, but if your tires are low on air, they create more resistance. That makes your engine work harder and wait for it … use more gas.  

Don’t wait for the tire pressure light to come on either. When the temperature changes, the pressure in your tires can, too, and even if you’re a pound or two low, you’re losing money. 

Buy yourself a tire gauge and check all four tires once a month or so. You can find the manufacturer’s recommended pressure in your book or just Google it. Most gas stations have free or low-cost air pumps you can use. Or if you have an air compressor with an attachment, better yet.  

More Maintenance Stuff 

The engine is the lifeblood of your vehicle and when it’s not running at its best, it’s costing you more in gas.   

Keep up with scheduled maintenance, get your oil changed regularly and check those spark plugs.  

If your car feels sluggish, idles roughly or warning lights pop up, address those issues ASAP. Even something as simple as a clogged air filter can reduce gas mileage. 

And don’t get me started on idling. With a lot of cars these days, the engine shuts off if you stop for the briefest time to save on gas. But my nephew, Tristan, has a diesel truck that does not and I see him sitting in it idling for twenty minutes or so all the time. So much wasted money. 

Plan Ahead 

You’re using more gas on frequent short trips than on a few longer ones. Combine trips to the store and other errands and adjust your route so it makes the most sense. No overlapping, just the quickest way from point A to point B to point C. 

Navigation apps can help with traffic conditions and alternate routes, even if you drove those roads a million times and can help save on gas.  

Also, don’t wait until your tank is almost on empty to fill up. You may be forced to pay higher prices than you want.  

Use Your Car Less 

If you’re not driving, you’re saving money on gas. Carpooling can lead to big savings. And biking or walking for shorter trips. And if you can work remotely, even a few days a week, that’s a home run.  

Final Thoughts On Gas Savings 

Ever since I started driving, I have been trying to save money on gas. Whether it was finding the best prices or having my friends that I was driving to high school chip in. 

Now, my strategies have evolved to include apps, loyalty programs, how I drive (boy, has that changed) and so much more. 

If you’re not doing it already, just a few of these simple changes to your routine can add up in a hurry.  

Start with comparing prices and go from there. Once you see you’ve saved $0.07 cents a gallon on a fill up, you’re probably going to upgrade your game.  

Have fun with it and enjoy the ride.   

Anthony Vion is a savings enthusiast from Long Island, NY who’s all about finding great deals, cutting everyday expenses and helping people avoid wasting money. He takes a hands-on approach to comparing prices and evaluating products, and likes sharing simple, practical tips that help others stretch their dollars and make smarter buying decisions. 

(Disclaimer: This article and apps mentioned are for informational and educational purposes only. The advice given isn’t a guarantee for specific money earnings or savings. You are responsible for your own actions.)