Gas Station Rewards
Most gas station chains offer savings rewards programs. They’re free to join and can save anywhere from a few cents up to more than $1 per gallon. For example, 7-Eleven’s 7Rewards offers an automatic $0.11 off per gallon, additional discounts through text promotions and $0.50 off per gallon on the seventh and eleventh days of the month.
Combined, all of those discounts truly add up, says Matt Mauney, a Denver-based public relations professional. “I live in Colorado, where gas is over $5 in some places, and I filled up today for $2.70 per gallon after rewards and promo codes,” he says.
Pro-tip: If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can link your account to BP’s Earnify rewards for an extra $0.10 off per gallon.
Supermarket Rewards
Many grocery store food rewards programs automatically deliver gas discounts as well. For example, Kroger stores (including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers and others) give $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 spent in the store.
“That means a $1,000 monthly grocery haul could quite effectively pay for a full tank of gas,” says auto blogger Renee Martin. Also, if you’re a member of a warehouse club, such as Costco, filling up at those pumps can be significantly cheaper.
Pro-tip: Don’t buy more groceries than you had already planned on, just to chase gas rewards points, or you’ll cancel out your savings, says Gordon.
Credit Card Rewards
Instead of using cash or debit cards at the pump, use a credit card that offers cash back returns. For example, if you have a card with a 5% return, you’ll save $.25 per gallon when gas is $5 per gallon, and $.20 when it’s $4 per gallon. Just make sure to check your card’s terms, since some rewards cards don’t count gas at grocery store pumps or warehouse clubs as qualifying purchases, says Martin.
Pro-tip: Only use a credit card to fill up if you know you can pay off the balance in full at the end of the month. Otherwise interest payments will erase fuel savings and more.
Fuel Price Apps
The price of gas can vary by $.50 or more, depending on the station. “With how volatile fuel prices have been recently, on a 15-gallon fill up, that can mean a savings of around $7.50 just by choosing a different station,” says transportation expert Broderic Fernow.
To find the best deals, try gas price-comparing apps such as Upside, GasBuddy and Way. Some apps also offer additional gas discounts, plus cash back on fill-ups restaurants and convenience stores. Way can also help you find the best parking prices and EV charging stations.
Combine trips
Numerous little trips can really add up with mileage. So, before leaving the house, make a grocery list for the week, plus list of your errands, so you can plan the most efficient route. Combine tasks such as shopping and taking the kids to activities, and avoid high-traffic areas where you’re likely to idle more, especially during rush hour.
“Even reducing weekly driving by 20 to 30 miles can save hundreds of dollars a year when you factor in fuel, vehicle wear and impulse purchases,” says Gordon.
Pro-tip: Some GPS apps have modes to help you choose the most fuel-efficient route.
Skip the Snacks
When filling up, don’t be tempted to run into the convenience store to pick up an energy drink or bag of chips. Those will likely run you 20% to 50% more than in the grocery store. Instead, keep your visit focused on the gas. Your body will also thank you for skipping the corn syrup and ultra processed food from that impulse buy!
Driving Habits
How you drive your car can affect your gas mileage by 20% or more. Especially avoid aggressive driving and hard acceleration. “Actually, this is driving 101,” says Martin. “When the light turns green or the traffic begins to move, start driving again, smooth and easy.”
Also, speed matters. Especially on long commutes, speeding is a major waste of gas, says driver’s education specialist Laura Adams. “Every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like spending an extra $0.25 per gallon. Instead, just leave a few minutes early so you don’t have to speed.”
Pro-tip: Shut off your engine when you know you’ll be stationary for a bit. “Depending on the size of your engine and if you are running the air conditioner or not, you can waste up to a half gallon of fuel in an hour,” says Adams.
Carpooling and Public Transportation
These options feel like a hassle to many of us, but the key to making them work is to not strive for perfection, says Adams. “A lot of people don’t like the idea of carpooling because schedules are not identical,” she says. “But even sharing two days a week reduces fuel use and vehicle wear, and one or two public transit days weekly still lowers fuel costs substantially.”
Streamline Your Car
Weight reduces gas mileage, so remove any items you don’t need from your car. “Check inside your trunk and on the floor for anything that weighs the car down like books, sporting equipment, and excess clothing,” says Adams. “Every 100 pounds of junk you remove increases your fuel efficiency by 1 to 2%.”
Also, remove your roof rack and storage box if you don’t often use them. In some cases, that extra aerodynamic drag can decrease your mileage by almost 20%.
Take Vehicles Maintenance Seriously
“When you keep your vehicle properly maintained from top to bottom, you’ll see it run at its maximum fuel efficiency,” says Adams. That includes tasks like keeping tires properly inflated, regularly changing your oil and following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual with items like spark plugs and air filters. Keeping up on vehicle maintenance also saves money by preventing more costly repairs down the line.
Re-Evaluate Other Bills
An easy way to save extra money is to examine household expenses beyond gas. Cancel subscriptions and streaming services you don’t use, cut back on frequent small retail purchases and get new quotes for home and auto insurance.
“You may be shocked by how much you’re overpaying,” says insurance expert Melanie Musson. “Insurance companies calculate how likely you are to remain a customer even if they raise your rates, and the longer you’ve been with a provider, the more likely you are to have a ‘loyalty surcharge.’”
Pro-tip: Look into family plans for cellphones, even if your kids are grown, and try the Goji Mobile app to find the most affordable phone provider and plan for your family.
About the Experts
- Renee Martin is an auto blogger for the Way.com app.
- Laura Adams is a senior driving analyst for Aceable, an online driver’s education company.
- Annam M. Gordon is a writer and independent commentator.
- Broderic Fernow is marketing manager at P-Fleet, a company that provides fuel cards for businesses.
- Melanie Musson is an insurance and finance expert at Clearsurance.com and AutoInsurance.org.
- Matt Mauney is a Denver-based public relations professional.
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