How to Save Money on Gas Every Time You Fill Up
Wondering how to get cheap gas despite high prices at the pump?
Hoping to save money on gas? 🚗
While gas prices aren’t at the highest levels we’ve ever seen, the cost of fueling up is still pretty steep. We’ve come a long way from June of 2022, when the average cost of regular unleaded was over $5 per gallon. 😱
Currently, the nationwide average is hovering at just over $3 per gallon, which still feels pretty pricey. And with the cost of nearly everything else soaring these days, it sure would be nice to save a little extra money at the gas pump!
With this in mind, we’re sharing our money-saving guide to help you get the most bang for your buck at the pump. Whether you’re fueling up for your daily commute or planning a budget-friendly road trip, here are some ways to get more miles for less money!
Here’s how to snag cheap gas:
1. Check your local grocery store promos first.
Watch for fuel promotions or even gift card deals at your local grocery store. Select grocers will sometimes team up with affiliated fuel stations to offer a gas discount whenever you shop at their store. Plus, some stores even offer double fuel rewards when you purchase gift cards!
Here are just a few stores that offer fuel perks with your store loyalty card:
- Albertsons: Earn one point for every $1 spent on groceries or pharmacy items and two points for every $1 spent on gift cards. Redeem points for up to $1 off per gallon.
- BJ’s Warehouse: BJ’s Gas has super-low gas prices every day! Plus, BJ’s One Mastercard holders save an additional 10¢ per gallon, while the One+ Mastercard holders get an additional 15¢ per gallon discount at BJ’s Gas stations.
- Fred Meyer: Earn one fuel point for every $1 you spend on groceries, plus 25 points for every qualifying prescription you fill at the pharmacy. Redeem 100 points for a 10¢ discount, for up to $1 off per gallon.
- Giant Eagle: Earn one Perk for every $1 spent on groceries, gift cards, and out-of-pocket prescription costs, plus 2 Perks per gallon of gas at GetGo, 2 Perks per $1 spent on store brands, and 10 additional Perks per prescription! Every 100 Perks gets you 10¢ off per gallon of gas at GetGo!
- Hy-Vee: Hy-Vee PERKS members can earn discounts on gas when they buy special Fuel Saver promotional items marked with a special icon online, on store shelf signs, and in the weekly ad. Fuel discounts are then automatically loaded to the PERKS account with each eligible purchase.
- Kroger: Loyalty members earn one Fuel Point for every $1 spent on everyday purchases, and two Fuel Points for every $1 spent on gift cards. Each prescription filled earns 25 Fuel Points, too! Fuel Points can be redeemed at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers and participating Shell locations
- Price Chopper: AdvantEdge Rewards members can earn 5¢ off per gallon (up to 20 gallons) at Sunoco after spending $100 at Price Chopper. Fuel savings are awarded on a 5-tier scale, maxing out at 25¢ per gallon with a $500 spend.
- Redner’s: Redner’s Rewards members can redeem a 5¢ per gallon discount after spending $50 at Redner’s Markets (up to a 20-gallon fuel fill-up). Just insert your Redner’s Rewards card at one of the Redner’s fuel partner sites to apply the savings.
- Sam’s Club: While the discount varies by location, Sam’s Club members report saving 15¢ – 30¢ per gallon compared to local competitors.
- Safeway: Safeway for U members can earn one point for every $1 spent on groceries and two points for every $1 spent on gift cards. Then, points can be redeemed for 10¢ to $1 off per gallon of gas.
- Shop ‘n Save: At Shop ‘n Save, Pump Perks members can earn 1¢ off per gallon at participating Sunoco stations for every $5 spent on qualifying items.
- Stop & Shop: Stop & Shop GO Rewards members earn one point for every $1 spent. Then, they can save 10¢ per gallon for every 100 points received (with a maximum discount of $1.50 per gallon).
- Weis Market: Earn 10¢ off per gallon at Sunoco or Weis Gas n’ Go when you spend $100 at Weis Market (maximum discount of $1 per gallon).
Don’t see your store listed above? Be sure to ask in-store or check their website, as many stores with fuel stations offer rewards programs or even credit cards with exclusive savings.
2. Watch for deals on gas gift cards.
Another way to save at the pump is to watch for gift card promotions at your local grocery store or at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, especially during the holidays. You may also find discounted gas gift cards at sites like Raise.com, Gift Card Granny, or Groupon.
Also, it’s important to note that some gas stations may offer a lower price if you pay with cash instead of a credit card! The difference between the cash and credit price usually ranges between 5¢ and 15¢ per gallon.
Hip Tip: Stay up to date on all of our latest gift card deals!
3. Save on Top Tier gas by filling up at Costco gas stations.
Are you a Costco member? Get the most out of your membership by filling up while you’re there, because you’ll save money and get quality gas. Costco sells only Top Tier detergent gasoline, the fuel recommended by dealerships and manufacturers, so it cleans your engine with every fill-up.
Plus, the average gas price at Costco is consistently lower than competitors!
Sam’s Club sells discounted gas too, but it does not meet the Top Tier standard because it uses a blend with fewer detergents.
Up until recently, I’d been fueling up exclusively at Sam’s Club. Gas is usually 20¢ – 30¢ per gallon cheaper there than anywhere else in my area. But the last time a trusted mechanic looked at my engine, he asked me if I’d been using cheap gas. 😬
He said Sam’s Club is known for selling low-quality gas, and he advised me to switch to Top Tier gasoline. In his opinion, the money saved on gas at Sam’s Club is just not worth the negative effect on an engine’s long-term health and performance. – Hip team member, Jenna
4. Find the cheapest gas near you using gas apps.
Download free gas apps to find the cheapest gas near you, because driving around town to find the cheapest gas defeats the whole purpose!
Here are a few reputable apps we like:
- Upside: New Upside users can score a RARE $5 off ANY $10+ purchase on gas, restaurants, grocery, convenience store, & more when you apply the promo code HIP2SAVE5 to your app! 🔥
- Gas Buddy: With Gas Buddy, you’ll save a minimum of 3¢ per gallon everywhere Mastercard is accepted, and 5¢ per gallon at select stations. It’s even possible to save up to 33¢ per gallon with an activated Deal Alert! The Pay with GasBuddy card links to your bank account and provides immediate savings at the pump, so there’s no waiting for rebates.
- Fuelly: Want to track and compare your gas mileage? Fuelly is a handy mobile app (iOS or Android) and website that helps you calculate your vehicle’s fuel economy. Tracking your usage over time can help you monitor changes to your driving habits and keep tabs on the health of your vehicle.
5. Join your local station’s loyalty program.
If you normally fuel up at the same gas station every time, then it may be a good idea to join their rewards program. Here are a few of the better gas station loyalty programs available nationwide:
- Exxon Mobil Rewards+: Exxon Mobil Rewards+ members save at least 3¢/gal on fuel and 2¢ per dollar spent in-store on snacks, drinks, and more. Plus, you can earn up to 30¢ per gallon in points on your first five fill-ups if you enroll before October 15th, 2025!
- Murphy USA: Murphy Drive Rewards is a free, app-based loyalty program offered by Murphy USA. Members can earn points with their purchases and redeem their points for up to $1 off per gallon at the pump (up to 20 gallons).
- Shell Fuel Rewards: New Shell Fuel Rewards members who enroll by October 31st, 2025, can save 10¢ per gallon on their first fill, 20¢ per gallon on their second fill, and 30¢ per gallon on their third fill at participating Shell stations. After that, your savings will vary between 3¢ and 10¢ off per gallon, depending on your membership tier.
- Speedy Rewards: Speedy Rewards members earn 10 points per gallon of fuel and 20 points per $1 of merchandise. Members can then redeem their points for discounted gas or purchases from inside the convenience store.
6. Re-evaluate your premium gas habit.
Does filling up your car with premium gas give you the sense that you’re filling your car with liquid gold? Well, some cars require premium gas, but others simply carry a recommendation that owners use it. This means you may be paying more than necessary every time you fill up.
Consumer Reports tested the fuel economy and acceleration of two cars with both regular and premium gasoline, and they found that both vehicles achieved the same fuel economy and performance regardless of the grade of fuel used.
Based on these results, you may feel comfortable using regular unleaded gas, even if the manufacturer recommends using premium gas. But be sure to check the inside of your fuel-filler door or the owner’s manual and do your own research before making the switch.
7. Know the best times to fill up.
Fill up your tank when it’s coolest outside (early in the morning or late at night) and avoid the heat of the day as much as possible. Why? The fuel is denser at those times, so you’ll get a little more gas for the same amount of money.
It’s also best to avoid filling up an empty tank during a holiday or on the weekend when people are doing more driving (that’s when gas stations are likely to raise their prices).
Hip Tip: Have a hard time remembering which side of the car your gas tank is on? If you’re driving a newer car, look for the arrow by the gas gauge on your dashboard.
This is a directional indicator that identifies the side of the car where the gas tank is located. If the arrow points to the left, the gas cap is located on the left side, so the car should be parked to the right of the gas pump.
8. Leave extra items at home.
Been toting around items for Goodwill in the back of your trunk for a few months? Or carry sports equipment in your car? 🙋🏼♀️ Even an additional 100 pounds in your car can reduce gas mileage by up to two percent.
Note that the reduction is relative to the vehicle’s weight, so smaller vehicles are more affected by increased weight than larger ones. Still, for every 100 pounds in extra weight, you can plan on spending up to 6¢ more per gallon. Yikes! Ditch the stuff you don’t need – especially the heavy items!
9. Waiting? Turn off the car.
If you live in a mild climate, this tip may work for you! The California Energy Commission (CEC) advises that vehicles should be turned off if your expected wait time will be longer than 10 seconds. An idling vehicle can burn as much as one gallon of gas each hour, so turning the car off can save about 5¢ per minute. Every little bit adds up!
10. Don’t always take the car.
This tip might seem a little silly, but hey! Before jumping in the car to drop your kids off at a friend’s house or head to the corner store, consider walking or hopping on a bike instead. Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll burn calories, enjoy the great outdoors, and reduce emissions, too! 😉
Hip Tip: Speaking of burning calories, these fitness apps pay you to work out!
11. Avoid aggressive driving.
Safe driving should already be a priority for everyone who gets behind the wheel, but if you need a little extra motivation, taking it slow will save you money on gas!
Fuel efficiency is negatively affected at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Slamming on the brakes and accelerating too quickly can waste gas, too. So, drive like your driver’s ed teacher is watching. You’re more likely to arrive at your destination safely, and your wallet will thank you, too!
12. Keep your tires inflated & wheels aligned.
A little vehicle maintenance can go a long way towards improving your car’s gas mileage. Because tires may naturally lose air over time, it’s important to check the pressure on ALL of your tires, including your spare, at least once a month.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average (up to 3% in some cases!) by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer, so you’ll definitely want to make sure you have a tire gauge in your glove box and know how to use it. If you don’t have a tire gauge and need air fast, you can actually fill up your tires using a bike pump, if you have one!
Also, be sure to check that your wheels are properly aligned and your tires are balanced. Misaligned wheels can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10% (around 31¢ per gallon). Tires that are out of balance can cause uneven tire wear, which will not only reduce the life of your tires, but also result in lower gas mileage, too.
*The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box, and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall.
13. Check your air filter & spark plugs.
In addition to checking your tire pressure and alignment/balance, make sure your car has clean air filters so the airflow stays at the proper level to mix with the gasoline.
It has been estimated that replacing your dirty air filter will increase miles per gallon on the car by up to 10%. It also generates fuel savings of close to 15¢ per gallon at the fuel pump!
14. If you have T-Mobile, check those T-Mobile Tuesday offers – sometimes it’s discounted gas!
We’re always sharing the latest T-Mobile Tuesday deal, and sometimes they have gas discounts! Many people who have T-Mobile forget to check, but sometimes there are some seriously awesome offers available.
15. Don’t bother warming up your car.
If you live in a colder area, you’re probably spending a few minutes heating up your vehicle. Believe it or not, your car doesn’t need more than a minute to heat up!
Waiting any longer could actually waste fuel and cause excess engine wear, according to AAA.
16. Refill your tank early in the week.
In most areas of the country, Mondays and Tuesdays are generally the cheapest days of the week to fill up your gas tank. The worst days are Thursday through Saturday, due to the surge pricing associated with weekend travel.
This information is based on data collected by Gas Buddy from over 150,000 gas stations. With gas prices always fluctuating, this advice isn’t guaranteed to get you the best price, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind!
Save on your next car rental when you book through Costco Travel!
Kroger has deals on gift cards sometimes where you get 4 times the fuel points. So if you buy a $25 gift card you get $100 worth of fuel points.
Check your Kroger receipts! They frequently have a survey on them and you’ll get 50 gas points for completing it. You can do 1 every 7 days. Also, Publix offers $10 off a $50 gas card with a $50 grocery purchase. Good deal if you’re shopping anyway!
Oh awesome! Thanks for the tip, Suzanne!
Sam’s Club, like Costco, also has great prices on gas. Much lower than the normal gas station. Hate to see that it was left off this list.
Katie, exactly. Sam’s Club is convenient for us and is always at least 15 cents cheaper than at regular pumps. We don’t buy a lot at Sam’s but the gas alone pays for our membership. Oh, and the most important thing… NO LINES like at Costco. When we go shopping with my DIL at Costco, there is always at least 3 vehicle waiting in line for gas. That’s nutty.
3 vehicle line? our costco in tacoma wa usually has a dozen or more cars per pump each side, it lines up out into the street, doesn’t seem to matter if it’s 10 am on a monday or 4 pm on a thursday it’s always insane! blows my mind
Pilot stations have a member card and/or app that gives you 3 cents off your gas at the pump. Also, Sam’s charge card gives you 5 percent off of gas all year long with a redemption in February. We usually save quite a bit by combining both of these offers especially when our Pilot station is the cheapest in our area. Our Sam’s card is redeemable only at Sam’s, and we go and fill up on paper products (which are the very best products from Sam’s.) We had a $100 to spend on anything @ Sam’s.
I have bought our gas @ Sam’s in the past (which was a great deal,) but they closed their gas station. That is why I do the Pilot card.
I personally prefer to use my Hyvee fuel saver at Casey’s who now has a new rewards system based on amount of money spent in their store. I still need to sign up, but I’m thinking this could be a double win. Love their donuts and pizza 🙂
For those who live near a Cumberland Farms (we have them in NY, VT, MA – not sure if it’s a regional thing), if you download their app & link your checking account, you can pay for your gas via the app & save .10/gallon for EVERY fill up!
If you have a Giant Eagle grocery store near you, stock up on gift cards at places you’ll spend money at anyway. You’ll get the equivalent of 6% back in gas credit every time you use a 30 gallon fill up. When they have double points promos, you’ll get 12% back with a 30 gallon fill up. If you have the AmEx Blue Cash Preferred card, you’ll get an additional 6% back as an AmEx credit for grocery store purchases of those very gift cards. Also with that AmEx card, you’ll get 3% back for any gas purchase, which I use when traveling and can’t fill up at Giant Eagle’s GetGo gas station option.
Get the GasBuddy app. Gives you prices on the gas stations in your area. I use it all the time!
Walmart usually seems to take about 3 cents off per gallon if you pay with a Walmart gift card.
Our Walmart quit that March 1.
My husband and I fill up at the same time, in order to maximize our gas point discount. It helps that both of us fill up on the left side.
us too..hahaha
How do you both fill up at the same time?
Just pull up to the pump at the same time and fill up the first car. When it’s done, the first car drives off and the second one pulls forward but don’t hang up the gas pump in between! Just put it on the ground when the cars switch places.
Using KrogerPay at the checkout lane earns you even more fuel points. 1.5 points per dollar
Has that recently started? I use it and haven’t noticed that. TY
Use a credit card that offers a percentage back-for gas station purchases-in points to your card in addition to using the 10/15 cents off per gallon.
I’ve wanted to get a GasBuddy card but they want my bank account number and I’m just not comfortable doing that. I would sign up if they accepted a credit card though.
It’s a debit card, kind of like using a Target debit card. I have one and have never had any issues.
Thanks for all the tips, Hip2Save & commenting community🙏
I buy prepaid Mastercard/Visa cards when my Kroger affiliate is offering 4x fuel points on gift cards (check to make sure they are included before purchasing) and then immediately and use them to buy other gift cards. You are basically getting 8x fuel points for the same amount. Most of the MC/Visa cards have fees for purchasing so make sure it is worth it. i have the Kroger credit card and they often send me coupons for $5 off a MC/Visa purchase absorbing most or all of the fee.
Agree with all the Kroger folks. I live in CA and our gas is crazy high. I can buy premium gas at Shell for less than Arco with the $1 off.
I buy gift cards for Target, Amazon, Starbucks, AMC, restaurants, etc. — places I spend money anyway. Did this over a 4x point promo in Oct-Nov and had gas points to use through most of the country in Nov-Dec, paying $1.50/gallon. One fill was $1/gal! I drove my camper van this time and saved $30/fill up on both tanks.
The person who buys Visa/MC gift cards first to get 8x rewards is a friggin genius!
I don’t know if you have heard about an app called OnMyWay It offers gas 50¢ off per gallon. I suggest that you can check it for more information. I appreciate that you use my referral link: https://r.onmyway.com/ilEqII90m6 Or if you download OnMyWay app, use my referral code: ilEqII90m6
My Amex has an offer, 15% cash back on all BP gas purchases until 3/31. I am filling there for this month. And then back to my cash only discount spots.
Sheetz for us! Their regular is cheaper than anywhere else, but we’re able to use their unleaded 88 and that’s at least 30¢ below the regular price
YES! Thanks for sharing! We have Sheetz too and that’s where I like to fill up! 🙌
If no one has mentioned BUC-EE’s, their fuel is usually cheaper than around town. Locations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Texas.
Yep Renee. I agree! 👍🏽 Love their gas prices all year long & they are right by my house! My H-E-B store gas prices are starting to get competitive with the Buc-ees price, which is even better since it’s closer & I’m there everyday!
Thanks for sharing that, Renee! Good to know their prices have been cheaper!
BJ’s is the cheapest gas I find in the Charlotte area.
If you have Walmart + look under member benefits. They offer 5 cents a gallon off at Murphy stations AND member pricing at Sam’s.
Our Sams is 40 to 50 cents a gallon cheaper and the lines are crazy, but worth the wait.
Thanks for mentioning that, Kathryn!
A gas station I go to is part of a grocery store that comes up on the GetUpside app, but it isn’t listed under the gas category. Do you think my gas receipt would still work for redemption? Thank for your help.
Gonna check the Kroger suggestion. Gas in the areas surrounding Seattle is currently $4.89 for regular.
Walmart + members save 5 cents a gallon for gas at all Murphy stations.
This website definitely has all the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Upside hasn’t really been a great deal for me. Wish I could take advantage of the offers others seem to get. Sam’s club is so much cheaper than any of our stations though! 🎉
Bummer! Thanks for your honest feedback, Michelle. Sorry to hear you haven’t been able to grab much savings. ❤️
Walmart plus offers up to ten cents off per gallon at Mobil and you also can fill up at Sam’s club. I got the yearly membership for $50 before Christmas and between gas savings and the free year of Paramount plus it’s been totally worth it.
Thanks for mentioning that, Angela! Some members of the Hip team have also been loving Walmart+! Glad to hear you’ve found value in the membership too! 🙌💞
76 stations have kickback rewards. If the station participates then you can earn points on gas & in the convenience store & redeem for the same.
Thanks for sharing this suggestion, Christina! Great idea to check for participating gas stations with promotions! 🙌
At Kroger, if you pay for your gas with the Kroger credit card, you save an additional 5 cents per gallon. I think the promotion for signing up for a Kroger credit card is that you will save an additional 25-50 cents per gallon with each fill-up for a year….at least they have had that in the past. That means if you have 1000 points…..$1.00 off per gallon + an additional 5 cents off per gallon for using the Kroger credit card + an additional 25-50 cents off per gallon for a year using the Kroger credit card = $1.30-$1.55 off per gallon. The limit on gallons that can be redeemed per fill-up is 35 gallons so either we take my SUV, my husband’s SUV, or his truck plus gas cans to fill (for lawn mowers) in order to get our entire 35 gallon limit savings.
Thanks so much for sharing the details on how you snag the savings at the Kroger gas pumps, Ann! Awesome savings! 🤗⛽️
We have Circle K locally. They offer pre-paid gift cards in store. We put $100.00 on a card and save .10/gallon. Circle K also offers .25-.40/gallon promo days that we pair with the pre-paid card. Finally, I fill up my car and my son’s truck at the same time, fully taking advantage of the savings. Our last fill up was $2.33/gallon.
That’s an awesome strategy, Jennifer! 🙌 Love how you’re stacking those Circle K promos with the pre-paid card, and super smart to fill both vehicles at once to stretch the savings even more. 🚗⛽ Thanks a ton for sharing your tips!