Daily commuters, road trippers, and pretty much everyone with a driver’s license wants to know how to save money on gas. That’s always been the case, but it’s especially true now. Learn ways to save money on gas in 2024.
According to data from fuel-saving smartphone app GasBuddy, the average gas price in the United States recently reached an all-time high (unadjusted for inflation) of $4.104 a gallon.
The previous record of $4.103 a gallon had stood for nearly 14 years.
As fuel costs soar after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ ban on Russian oil imports. President Biden has warned American drivers that the financial impact of fueling up could get worse before it gets better.
With gas prices up nearly 50% since last year, you might be looking for ways to stretch your gas mileage. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money upgrading to a more fuel-efficient vehicle to do so.
As small changes in your driving and vehicle maintenance habits can reduce your gas costs by at least a half buck per gallon, if not more.
How To Save Money on Gas In 2024
With the price of gas shooting off like fireworks this summer and then starting a slow descent.
Only to repeat the pattern again. It’s no surprise that drivers spent, on average, over 17 cents per mile on gas in August, according to AAA.
That’s 7 cents more than the average cost per mile in 2022 and comes out to $2,336 a year in fuel costs.
Higher fuel costs have become an assumption at the gas pump.
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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, drivers paid an average of $3.81 per gallon in October. That’s 52 cents more than the same month in 2024.
If the cost of car ownership is squeezing your wallet, there are several ways to ease the pressure.
You can implement a few strategies to save money on gas at the pump, while driving, and even through proper maintenance to get the best gas mileage out of your vehicle.
Here’s how to get started with saving money on gas in 2024.
How To Save Money At The Gas Pump
While you can’t control car gas prices. You do have some influence on how much you pay for fuel. Here are a few tips for saving money at the gas pump.
1. Pay Cash On Gas Instead Of Card
Next time you’re checking the big gas station billboards for prices, look closely. The lowest price you see is likely a cash-only price.
In some cases, you might not even see any mention of a cash-only price at all, as the discount is implied. You may only find out after swiping your card and noticing you paid several cents higher than the price on the sign.
The difference between cash and credit card prices for gas typically ranges 5 to 10 cents per gallon. But in some cases, it can be much more.
The reason gas stations often charge more for card purchases is because they get charged fees by banks and credit card providers for each transaction.
When you pay cash, the gas station avoids these fees, and they pass along some of the savings to you with a discount. How to save money on gas for car in 2024.
Debit purchases, even though they represent real “cash” in your bank account, may also incur a transaction fee.
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Policies vary by gas station, so check with your local clerk if you’re unsure about using your debit card.
Many gas stations advertise a cash price that is cheaper than the credit card price.
So don’t be surprised if the price you pay for using a credit card isn’t what’s on the marquee. At some stations, using a debit instead of a credit card will also get you the cash discount.
If you opt for a debit card, make sure you’re getting the discount before you start pumping since not all stations allow this.
Also, note that debit card transactions are less secure than using a credit card when it comes to consumer protections if you fall prey to a card skimmer at the pump.
2. Use a Gas Price App- How To Save Money At The Pump
Use your smartphone to save Money at the pump.
Gas price apps compare gas prices in an area to show you which stations have the lowest prices.
Several apps are free to use and let you search by your specific location or a city or ZIP code, as well as criteria like type of fuel and payment method.
Taking a few minutes to compare local prices could save you a small chunk of change each month.
Instead of driving around town to look for the cheapest gas. (all while wasting time and burning fuel), You should consider using a gas app to compare prices.
GasBuddy is one of the most popular apps that’s fully dedicated to comparing nearby gas prices. But you can also scope out how much gas stations are charging with some navigation apps as well.
For example, with both Google Maps and Waze, you can select a gas station as your destination and filter them by price.
3. Screw The Gas Cap On
To get the most out of your tank of gas, be sure to screw the gas cap on correctly. Turn it until you hear a click.
If the gas cap isn’t sealed properly, up to 30 gallons of gasoline a year could be evaporating through a poor seal. It may also trigger a check-engine light on your dashboard.
Many newer cars have a cap less fuel-filler system. But an imperfect seal of its spring-loaded flap can both leak gasoline fumes and cause a warning light.
4. Choose a Good Rewards Program or Credit Card
Cash back on gas is one of the best credit card rewards.
For example, with the Chase Freedom Flex card, you can earn 5% cash back at the gas pump (for your first year or up to $6,000 spent, whichever is first).
Similarly, the American Express’s Blue Cash Preferred card offers unlimited 3% cash back on gas purchases. Many other programs fall within that 3% to 5% cash back range, sometimes on a revolving basis.
Always check the fine print and do the math to see if the rewards program is truly worth it in your individual case.
As mentioned above, many gas stations set higher prices for credit card purchases. Likewise, the rewards credit card itself may have an annual fee.
And there’s always the risk of accruing interest on your credit card balance if you don’t pay it off on time.
When used responsibly, this strategy could save you a few dollars per tank, so it’s worth considering — especially if you don’t always have cash on hand.
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Many such programs abound, but drilling down — pun intended — to the savings is difficult.
Here’s a quick look at the important factors to consider when choosing the best card for saving money on gas:
- Membership Requirements:
Are there membership costs that ding you or is it a hassle to join?
- Annual Fee:
If a credit card carries an annual fee, it can quickly wipe out your initial savings. However, if the card offers robust savings in other areas, too, it might be worth it.
- Pump or Gas Station:
Some cards offer rewards on anything bought at a filling station, while others specify their gas rewards are for pay-at-the-pump purchases only.
- Redemption Value:
Points can commonly be redeemed for cash or miles. Make sure you understand what each rewards point is worth. Many are a penny, but some are even less.
- Reward Caps:
Some gas savings are capped either per quarter or per year. Figure out what your spending is and determine whether it fits under the card’s rewards cap.
Note:
If you are using a credit card, pay off the entire balance or the interest will wipe out any gas price savings.
5. Buy The Right Fuel To Save Money At The Pump
Most vehicles perform well on regular unleaded regular gas.
Manufacturers might recommend premium gas for certain vehicles with turbochargers or specific types of engines. But the majority of drivers don’t need to pay extra for premium fuel.
Check your owner’s manual to find what the manufacturer recommends for your car.
Unless it says premium gas is required, you’re probably good to buy regular gas, which is cheaper than its premium version.
6. Use Public Transportation
You can certainly bike and carpool around town.
But public transportation continues to be an affordable, safe, and reliable way to get to most destinations in cities and towns across the country.
And there’s no need to learn how to save money on gas when you don’t use the stuff.
Nix your gas needs by taking buses, trains, trolleys, and subways to and from work, for nights out, and when you do your weekly shopping.
Going sans car may seem inconvenient at first. But the money you’ll save by not paying to fill up at $4 or $5 a gallon may change your attitude toward public transportation.
7. Use Rideshares More To Save Money At The Pump
In recent years, using rideshare services to get around has been a great way to save money on gas. After all, if you aren’t paying to fill up a gas tank, you aren’t spending any money at all at the pump.
Though this perk is changing slightly. Uber and Lyft have started tacking on 45- to 55-cent fuel surcharges per ride to help drivers offset the rising cost of gas.
It doesn’t mean rideshares are automatically too expensive. Depending on your commute and your needs. Ditching your car for a rideshare could be the answer to how to save money on gas in 2024.
8. Consider An Electric or Hybrid Vehicle
Driving a small gas-powered car 100 km is nearly four times more expensive than driving the same distance with an equivalent electric (source: Hydro-Québec).
The sticker price on an electric car may be higher, but don’t get hung up on that!
In most cases, when you add in:
- energy efficiency,
- government incentives and
- lower maintenance costs.
Choosing an electric vehicle pays off within a few years.
How To Save Gas While Driving
How you drive has a big impact on how many miles per gallon you’ll get. Here are a few ways to drive so your wallet can thank you later.
9. Avoid Idling – How To Save Money On Gas For Car
Unless you’re sitting in traffic, turning off your engine and restarting the car is more fuel efficient than idling. How much gas you burn when idling depends on your engine, but some vehicles can go through as much as half a gallon of gas an hour.
To save gas, turn off your engine if you are going to need to idle for more than 10 seconds. Note that some newer cars will do this for you to save gas.
10. Remove Excess Vehicle Weight To Save On Gas
A Rule of Thumb:
The heavier your vehicle, the more gas it guzzles. That also goes for what you’re storing or hauling.
If there are removable items, like sporting equipment or storage bins, you should consider taking them out of the car unless you specifically need them for your trip.
According to the federal government, your fuel efficiency drops 1% for every 100 pounds of excess weight.
This also goes for racks or storage on the top or back of your vehicle. If you leave your canoe or bike strapped to your car, not only is it weighing your vehicle down, the vehicle is also less aerodynamic.
11. Watch Your Speed
Driving at higher speeds can push your car past the point of its best fuel efficiency.
Avoiding high speeds when unnecessary can save you money with better fuel economy. As can accelerating at a reasonable rate instead of revving your engine.
Tend to have a lead foot? Try using cruise control to better maintain your speed.
12. Plan Out Your Routes – How To Save Money On Gas Prices
When it comes to driving, proper planning can really pay off.
Consider this strategy a catch-all for figuring out when, where and how you’re going to drive.
Important questions to consider when planning out your trips include:
- If I have to use my car, can I combine my trips or errands?
- Can I plan to carpool with my coworker(s) on certain days?
- Can I commute by bike or public transportation on certain days?
- Will my employer let me work from home some or all of the time?
- If I have to commute to work, can I drive during non-rush hour times?
- Is there a more fuel-efficient route I can take to get to my destination?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, creating a plan around it and sticking to it can have a major impact on the amount of gas you use.
According to the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Combining trips could double your fuel economy. When compared to taking multiple short drives because your car gets better gas mileage when it is warmed up.
Likewise, carpooling can cut your weekly fuel costs in half. By saving on gas expenses all while reducing wear-and-tear on your vehicle, the agencies say.
13. Skip The Roof Rack and Carrier
While it might give you more space for those long trips, a roof rack and carrier combo will eat up your gas mileage.
Consumer Reports found in a 2021 study that a roof rack with a carrier dropped a sedan’s fuel economy by 19% and an SUV’s fuel economy by 13%.
If you can get to your destination without it, skip the roof rack and carrier — especially if you’re not using it — to save on gas.
14. Park In The Right Spot
Even your parking habits can affect how much you ultimately spend on gas.
For folks in hot and cold environments, where you store your car plays into your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Driving with a cold engine can reduce your gas mileage between 15% and 24%, according to fuel-efficiency tests.
Parking your car in a garage, as opposed to right on the street during cold weather, can keep your engine temperatures higher. In hot environments, parking in the shade can reduce how hot your cabin gets and help you resist the urge to blast the AC.
And No Matter The Environment: When you’re arriving at your destination, grab the first parking space you see. Don’t circle the grocery store looking for the perfect parking spot.
According to a report from Inrix, a transportation analytics company, Americans spend 17 hours per year on average searching for parking.
That’s a lot of wasted gas.
Saving Gas With Maintenance
You can also save on gas with a sharp eye and a good maintenance schedule. Here are a few ways to keep your vehicle going with good gas mileage.
15. Pay Attention To Your Miles Per Gallon
Most modern cars track fuel efficiency for you, and this is an important number to pay attention to.
Without a reasonable explanation — like a change in driving habits. A sudden drop or gradual slip over time in your miles per gallon can point to a potential problem or need for maintenance.
Don’t just assume that you can’t help your car maintain a good miles-per-gallon number just because it’s got some years on it.
16. Consider The EPA Rating of Your Next Car
Vehicles have come a long way when it comes to fuel efficiency, and you might notice the difference the next time you buy or lease a car.
A vehicle with a good EPA rating will be 30 miles per gallon or more. Electric cars tend to have very good EPA ratings, with the Tesla Model S Long Range getting 111 miles per gallon, for example.
“If you are in the market for a new car,” says Gillis, “this gas crisis is a perfect example of why you should pay attention to the EPA ratings when buying a car.”
17. Reduce AC Use
Warm weather is a blessing and a curse when it comes to saving on gas.
One one hand, the heat can help your engine warm up quicker, thus improving fuel economy. Adding to that, the federal government also says warm air causes “less aerodynamic drag” than cold air.
On the other hand, using air-conditioning in hot weather can reduce fuel efficiency by 25%, especially during short trips. This is one of the single biggest contributors to gas guzzling.
The double whammy: Driving with your windows down might also waste gas because it increases your vehicle’s wind resistance.
So what should you do? Here are some tips from the feds:
- When turning on your car, don’t idle with the air conditioner blasting to cool it off. Most AC systems cool faster while driving.
- Try to use your AC only while driving at highway speeds. When driving slower, roll the windows down.
- Optimize your temperature and fan settings instead of defaulting to the max.
18. Keep Your Tires Aired Up
In addition to being unsafe, underinflated tires can drop your fuel economy. For every 1 pound per square inch that your tire deflates, you lose roughly 0.2% of your gas mileage.
Keep your tires properly pressurized to get the most out of your gas tank.
19. Don’t Skip An Oil Change – How To Save Money On Shell Gas
Replacing your engine oil when it’s recommended for your car will help reduce friction in the engine and give you better gas mileage.
The Good News:
Oil changes are usually a small portion of the total cost of owning a car and will help keep your vehicle running for a long time.
20. Use The Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
Buy a motor oil that matches your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and certification requirements. And change your oil according to the carmaker’s recommendations, per Edmunds.
By doing so, you can improve your gas mileage by 1% to 2%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Also, when buying motor oil, look for the words “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
21. Fill up On The Cheapest Days of The Week
It should come as no surprise that gas prices fluctuate day to day. But pricing trends show that a couple days in particular each week tend to be cheaper than others.
Monday and Friday are the two cheapest days, according to GasBuddy, a tech company that tracks the real-time prices of gas at more than 150,000 stations across the country.
Historically, Monday has been the cheapest day over the past several years, but Friday, which has traditionally been a more expensive day, is closing the gap.
Keep in mind, though, that these recommendations are based on national data trends from prior years.
With prices as volatile as they have been lately. These days might not always be the cheapest in your area on any given week. Use your best judgment.
22. Stop Warming Up Your Car – How To Save More On Gas
We get it: Mornings are chilly, and slipping into a toasty front seat is borderline divine in the winter. But your fuel economy is going to suffer, and you’ll find yourself at the pump sooner if you keep warming up your car.
Modern cars don’t need anything more than a minute to “wake up.” Letting your car warm up any more than that is unnecessary. With gas prices rising, the warmth will ultimately leave you cold as you spend extra money at the gas pump.
Speaking of filling ‘er up, here’s how gas pumps know when your tank is full.
How Gas Prices Are Determined
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that the retail price of gas consists of four main factors: crude oil costs, oil refining costs, distribution and marketing costs, and taxes.
Of the price you pay at the pump. The EIA says as much as 56% goes toward the wholesale cost of crude oil. And that key factor is what has been fluctuating so much recently.
Why Gas Prices Are Rising?
Initially, pandemic-related supply chain issues and rising demand were causing gas prices to soar.
Then, toward the end of 2023, gas prices actually started to come down. The government even estimated that prices would dip below $3 in early 2024.
Now, the cause is less about supply chain issues and more about increased tension in the global oil markets. Since Russia, a major oil producer, invaded Ukraine in late February, oil prices have skyrocketed.
The price per barrel of crude oil has hit $130 recently with some analysts forecasting that prices could rise to $150 this year.
Conclusion: Saving Money On Gas
Fuel prices are at record highs, but by implementing some or all of the gas-saving strategies we covered above, you will be able to reduce how much you spend on gas.
The important thing to remember is that the best money-saving techniques aren’t just about finding the cheapest gas in town.
What’s also important are your driving habits and how well you take care of your vehicle. Now you have it, how to save money on gasoline in 2024.
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