7 Ways to Save at the Gas Pump

If the price at the gas pump tends to make your jaw drop, you aren’t alone.

Everywhere you look nowadays, gas prices are likely to cause your wallet to cringe. And the prices are especially brutal if you find yourself on the west or east coast.

Parts of New England, for instance, have areas climbing to an average price of $4.933, according to AAA.

And most Americans aren’t in a position where they can avoid driving, putting many of us in a tough spot.

Unfortunately, we can’t drop the high prices as we please.

So it’s up to us to find clever tactics to save money whenever possible—allowing us to stay on the road without breaking the bank.

Continue reading below to learn seven ways to save at the gas pump.

7 ways to save at the gas pump

1. Find the cheapest gas

Simply pulling into the nearest gas station may be convenient for you, but it’s likely to hurt your wallet in the long run.

Gas prices can vary wildly from block to block. So before swiping your card, we suggest pulling out your phone and quickly searching the area for the cheapest gas. It’s the easiest way to avoid paying more than you absolutely must.

Google Maps, GasBuddy, Gas Guru, Waze, and other similar apps are very helpful when searching.

2. Take advantage of fuel point programs

As gas prices go into orbit, now is the best time to sign up for a fuel point program—especially if you’re loyal to one place.

A good program allows you to earn points or significant discounts simply by buying snacks or consistently getting gas at their pumps—nothing out of the ordinary.

But be warned, there are a lot of options out there now.

For instance, BP, Exxon, Shell, and even Circle K each have their own programs. So take a look around and find the best program for you. You can make your decision based on benefits or proximity to your job or home.

3. Buy your gas on the cheapest days

Gas prices go up and down daily, not just week to week. And according to studies done by GasBuddy across four years (2017, 2018, 2019, and most recently, 2021), the cheapest day to buy your gas is on Monday.

If you can manage to hold out on filling your tank until Monday, you can save a ton of money in the long run.

However, if you can’t fill up every Monday, at least avoid Thursdays and Wednesdays—as those will be the priciest days.

4. Put the card away and pay with cash

Many gas stations offer massive discounts if you pay with cash instead of credit—typically around five to 10 cents off a gallon, which can add up in a big way.

So as you’re pulling up to your preferred gas station on Monday, make sure that you have enough cash to pay for an entire tank.

5. If you decide to use credit cards anyway, take advantage of cashback rewards

Depending on the credit card you have, you may have the opportunity to save even more than you would by paying with cash.

For example, the Sam’s Club Mastercard gives you 5 percent cash back on gas purchases, up until the first $6,000 per year, then it drops to 1 percent. That means that if you spend about $50 filling your gas tank, you’ll receive $2.5 in cash back, which will add up over time.

6. Boost your fuel efficiency

Many people on the road today drive like they’re racing—one foot on the gas and the other on the brake.

And yet, that sort of driving can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent, which means that you run out of fuel faster and get back at the gas pump sooner.

So next time you get behind the wheel, take it slow.

Reducing your speeds by five to 10 miles per hour can increase your fuel efficiency by 14 percent.

7. Cut out the premium gas.

Unless your car requires it, premium gas is a waste of money. Premium gas on its own will not improve your fuel efficiency, so it simply takes money out of your pocket for no good reason.

As you’re on the path to doing you and your car some good, it’s a good idea to look into insurance.

Northeast Metrowest Insurance provides both Personal Auto Insurance and Commercial Auto Insurance. Check them out to ensure you’re covered properly!

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