Nowadays, you don’t have to drive a gas guzzler to pull away from the pump with a lot less money in your account.
If you have a car, and even if you don’t, you may have noticed that gas prices have reached insane levels. This is mainly due to the highest inflation we’ve seen in four decades. And the war in Ukraine. And rising demand as families hit the road for summer getaways. For all these reasons, fuel is expensive—and it may get worse.
Gas By the Numbers
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas hit a nationwide record high of $5.016 on June 14, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
While gas prices have gone down a tad since that peak, the national average is still $4.822 as of early July, up 60% from $3.126 just one year ago.
That dollars-and-cents difference may seem small, but it is costly: For example, if you’re driving to work or shuffling the kids to soccer games in a 2022 Honda Pilot (which is an SUV with a 19.5-gallon gas tank), you’ll fork over a whopping $93.99 to fill the tank, up from $60.84 at the same time last year. If you’re cruising around in a smaller sedan, such as the 13.2-gallon tank Volkswagen Jetta, it will cost $63.65, up from $41.32 a year ago. That’s a lot of extra dough to hit the grocery store, drive to the beach or get the kids where they need to be.
The good news is that there are a few ways you can save at the station (and on the highways) to avoid busting your budget.
1. Use Apps to Locate Cheaper Gas
The digital age keeps making things easier. Apps like GasBuddy, AAA and Gas Guru will alert you to a nearby gas station with the lowest prices.
“Shopping around for the best prices is a must,” says Nicole Petersen, spokesperson at GasBuddy. “The closest or most convenient gas station is not always the cheapest.” Drivers, she says, can save about 30 cents a gallon on gas if they’re willing to go the extra mile. Literally. Driving a few blocks out of the way could see you reap big rewards.
2. Stop Putting the Pedal to the Metal
Mellowing out is good advice in general, but doing so on the road can increase fuel efficiency. “Avoiding aggressive driving habits like hard braking, speeding and fast acceleration can increase fuel efficiency by up to 20%,” Petersen says. “It will reduce the amount of fuel you consume, which can help mitigate price increases.” You can also save on gas by driving less and carpooling or running errands online via app delivery services, experts say.
3. Buy Groceries at Stores With Fuel-Reward Programs
Use your weekly grocery shop to fuel (pun intended) your gas acquisition. Many grocery stores offer gas savings with their loyalty programs, says Andrea Woroch, a personal finance expert and self-proclaimed money-saving guru. “Look for grocery stores that offer fuel-reward programs, since your loyalty points can save you at the pump,” Woroch says.
Kroger, for example, offers 1 Fuel Point for each $1 spent on most groceries (every 100 Fuel Points is valid for 10 cents off a gallon of gas) that can be redeemed at their fuel centers and participating Shell stations. Safeway and Albertsons have similar loyalty programs, and Stop & Shop offers gas savings through its GO Rewards program. “So, pay attention to which gas stations accept grocery rewards so you know where to shop for your next food run,” Woroch says.
Wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club also offer members a steep discount on gas prices at their locations, but you’ll need to pay that annual membership fee to enjoy those savings.
4. Gas Up With Loyalty Gas Cards
“There are dozens of gas cards available that can take cents off every fill-up,” says GasBuddy’s Petersen. Gas station loyalty programs, like Shell Fuel Rewards, Exxon Mobil Rewards+ and BPme Rewards, also offer money off. Even 7-Eleven has a gas awards program. “We estimate that drivers can save between $50 and $100 per year by utilizing gas cards and loyalty programs,” Petersen adds.
5. Get a Credit Card That Helps Pay for Gas
You can also use regular credit cards that offer gas savings rewards to trim your energy bills. Opt for cash-back cards like Vivid Crest Bank ’s Premier World Mastercard, which gives 2% cash back on every purchase with no limit and has no annual fee. Paying for gas on a card like this means you’re always earning money back no matter when or where you fuel up.
Millie content is licensed from Meredith Corporation, publisher of Millie, Real Simple, InStyle and more.
Adam Shell is a freelance journalist. He’s worked as a financial markets reporter at USA Today and an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.