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Save Money on Gas in 2024: 9 Easy Ways Proven To Work

Not happy with the ever-increasing prices of fuel? Learn easy ways to save money on gas and how to make the most of each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas and get rewards.
  • Gas reward credit cards offer cashback on fuel purchases, saving money.
  • Join gas station loyalty programs for discounts and rewards on fuel.
  • Drive efficiently by avoiding rapid acceleration and maintaining a steady speed.

Gas prices have risen dramatically since last year, with 2023 starting at .445 per gallon and reaching $3.328 by 2024.

There’s no doubt that this spike has pinched the pockets of many, especially those relying heavily on their cars for commuting and gig workers living off ridesharing.

While there are numerous tips out there on how you can save on gas, we created this blog featuring nine strategies that actually work.

From sharing resources offering discounts and cashback at gas stations to revealing driving practices that waste fuel, we’re not holding back on any fuel-saving secrets.

Use Gas Money-Saving Resources

Start by familiarizing yourself with the diverse platforms and services that can help you get gas rewards, cashback, and other benefits.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Install Gas-Specialized Apps

There are now apps for practically anything you can think of, and fortunately, some are designed to help you save on gas.

One of our favorites is GasBuddy, which is available in the U.S. and Canada. It brings various useful features to the table, and that’s why we appreciate it.

For example, it provides a map of nearby gas stations along with their prices per gallon. That way, you have a better chance of comparing prices and choosing the most cost-effective spot.

GasBuddy also offers a reward card that can save you up to $0.25 per gallon at partner gas stations. The great news is that applying for this card is completely free, and you can begin your application by visiting the Pay with GasBuddy page.

We can’t go without also mentioning the Upside app, which is somewhat similar to GasBuddy.

How does Upside work? The app displays nearby offers at their promoted locations, which could be a gas station, restaurant, or something else. After you complete a purchase at one of these places using your bank card, the app deposits cashback to your chosen payment method.

To maximize your gas savings, don’t limit yourself to just one app; download both: the ones we suggested plus others that have proven to work.

2. Use Gas Reward Credit Cards

Owning rewards credit cards can be a highly effective strategy for saving on a wide range of purchases, not just gas.

Among the best rewards credit cards you can apply for—especially in the gas department—is the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card.

As of this moment, this card offers the highest returns on gas purchases, with 5x points for every dollar spent. Its expected yearly rewards total $513, and the best part is that it won’t charge you annual fees or additional costs for purchases made abroad.

Another card we find worth exploring is the American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card. It offers a decent 3% cashback at gas stations, as well as other tempting rates on supermarket purchases and streaming subscriptions.

It does, however, come with a $95 annual charge that begins after the first year of owning the card and a 2.7% fee on abroad transactions.

3. Join Gas Rewards Programs

There are plenty of gas rewards programs available that could help you save a few bucks on your gas costs, and almost all of them are free to join.

Shell’s Fuel Rewards program has to be our top pick. It offers discounts based on your gas use, beginning at three cents per gallon at Silver Status and increasing to 10 cents as you move up to Platinum.

Inner Circle by Circle K, 7REWARDS by 7-Eleven, and BPme Rewards also have competitive discounts and offers on fuel purchases, with savings expected to fall between $30 and $40 or more per year.

Monitor Your Driving Habits

Now it’s time to learn how to adjust your driving habits so you don’t waste gas.

1. Avoid Abrupt Acceleration and Braking

If you tend toward aggressive driving, expect to pay on gas more than you should.

Excessive speeding, as well as sudden braking, increases air and tire resistance. This puts strain on your vehicle, forcing it to work harder, which naturally leads to higher fuel consumption.

Allow us to put things into perspective. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), gas mileage typically decreases at speeds exceeding 50 mph. They estimate that every 5 mph over 50 mph is equivalent to an extra $0.30 per gallon of gas.

We know you don’t want these extra costs, so stick to the speed limit, slow down whenever possible, and be gentle on the brakes and gas pedal.

2. Maintain Consistent Speed

One of the oldest (and most effective) tricks in the book for saving gas is to drive at a steady speed. The fewer shifts in acceleration and braking you do, the less you eat into your gas tank.

This is where your car’s cruise control system comes into play. In a traffic-free route, this system enables you to maintain a constant speed that you specify—remember the previous point and stay within or below the speed limit.

You’re probably wondering how much someone can save by using cruise control. The answer is up to 14% on gas expenses!

3. Turn Off the Engine at Long Stops

Whether you’re waiting for someone, stuck in heavy traffic, or facing any other scenario that requires you to stop your vehicle for over a minute, it’s best to turn off the engine.

Keeping the car running when it’s not moving is like throwing your gas money down the drain. In fact, Fuel Economy states that idling can consume up to half a gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the size of your engine and the use of air conditioning.

Make Your Car Fuel Efficient

Finally, we’ll share with you a few tips on how to condition your vehicle to burn less fuel.

1. Remove Unnecessary Load

Before you hit the road, make sure to take out heavy objects from your car. Extra weight in a vehicle causes the engine to exert extra effort, which leads to consuming more fuel.

If your car has cargo roof boxes or bulky racks, it would also be a good idea to remove them when they’re not in use. Not only do they add weight to your vehicle, but they also increase aerodynamic drag, a.k.a wind resistance, resulting in higher gas usage.

Rooftop cargo boxes, for instance, can reduce your car’s fuel efficiency by 2% to 25%, depending on how fast you drive.

2. Ensure Proper Tire Inflation

We all know we should fill our car’s tires to the recommended pressure for safety reasons. But did you know that this also improves fuel efficiency?

Driving with underinflated tires increases the friction between them and the road. This will call for more power from the engine, which will translate to more fuel burning.

3. Close the Windows When Speeding

You might think that rolling down the window instead of using the AC will save gas. While true, this isn’t always the case.

When you go at high speeds with open windows, the car experiences wind resistance, which, as we previously mentioned, draws more fuel.

That’s why, when traveling on the highway, remember to close your windows or even crank up the AC; it’ll still be more fuel-efficient than leaving the windows open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Certain Days When Gas Is Cheap?

Yes, there are good and bad days to buy gas in terms of pricing. Monday and Tuesday are among the days when fuel prices fall since demand is lower than on other days of the week. Try to avoid getting gas on weekends, particularly Thursdays, when demand and prices rise.

Is Premium Gas Worth It?

Only cars designed to run on premium gas can benefit from it because it contributes to protecting the engine and enhancing performance.

However, if your car is built to operate on regular gas, using premium gas won’t provide any additional benefits, so you’ll be paying more money in vain.

What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles for Ridesharing?

Some of the top-rated gas mileage cars that can help a lot in saving money on fuel include the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Honda Civic Hatchback, Toyota Prius, and Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

Wrapping Up

By using apps that help you find the cheapest gas prices and offer cashback, along with gas credit cards and rewards programs, you can save a decent amount on your gas expenses. And by now, you know where to go for these resources.

More importantly, don’t forget to reduce any form of resistance whenever possible to minimize gas waste. Avoid harsh braking, remove heavy items, properly inflate the tires, and follow the other guidelines we outlined in this blog.

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