Filling your tank is a challenge right now, but we have some guaranteed ways to save
It’s impossible not to notice the price of gas right now. In just the last month, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded has shot up $1, according to AAA. That rise coincides directly with the now month-long war with Iran, as global oil supplies have been disrupted and uncertainty is the word of the day. It’s hard enough to fill up the tank for your morning commute, and families are already adjusting their spring break travel plans due to TSA worker shortages. (Unfortunately, that road-trip Plan B might be out of the picture.)
Compounding the issue, spring is the season for rising gas prices anyway, according to AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. In a typical spring, refineries are “making the switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce, and that cost is passed down to consumers,” she says. “This is also the time of year when many refineries undergo maintenance, and those shutdowns affect supply temporarily.” It’s enough to make you take up biking—or look into getting an electric vehicle.
We wish we had better news, but it looks like you’re going to have to work to find cheap(er) gas. Luckily, we can help. Ahead, we have real, actionable tips for finding the best deals, from comparison shopping to filling up your tank at Costco. Read on to learn how to save what you can when you fill up your tank.
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Be gas-smart with your car
Before doing anything else, be sure that you’re maximizing your gas savings with proper vehicle maintenance and smart driving. “Keep your car in top shape with routine inspections, and in between, make sure your tires are properly inflated,” Diaz advises. She also says that it’s important to avoid speeding, as fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. “Reducing highway speeds by 5 mph to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%,” she adds.
Finally, if regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. “Opting for premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy,” she says.
Download gas apps
You don’t have to drive all around town to figure out where to find cheap gas—there are apps that will do the work for you. The AAA mobile app, for instance, lists the prices at nearby gas stations. When planning travel, you can look at the AAA Fuel Prices hub, which updates daily, for the average gas prices by state.
If you’re going on a road trip, you can also use the AAA app to check gas prices at your destination—and even prices in cities along your route. “The gas stations right off the interstate are usually the most expensive, so if you’re looking to save money, drive a little bit farther down the road for cheaper gas stations,” Diaz says. She also recommends using the gas cost calculator on the AAA fuel website to get an idea of how much your road trip will cost.
Another gas app to try is the popular GasBuddy, which allows users to report gas prices in real time. The app is free and doesn’t require a login for many services, which makes using it quick and easy. There’s also Upside, another free app, that offers deals and cash back on gas (as well as on restaurants and groceries). The money you earn can be redeemed by PayPal, bank transfer or a gift card.
In general, Diaz says going no more than a mile out of your way max to find cheaper gas is your best bet. “Always assess the situation based on how much gas you have and the area,” Diaz says. The savings will be minimized if you end up driving extra miles out of your way, she notes.
Leverage warehouse memberships
Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club tend to have lower gas prices than nearby stations. There are also club credit card perks on gas: If you have a BJ’s One Credit Card, you’ll score an additional 10 cents off per gallon, and if you have a Costco Citi Card, you’ll get 5% back on Costco gas. (The warehouse club’s gas prices are consistently lower than those of competitors, even though it sells only higher-quality gasoline.) Sam’s Club also offers a 5-cent discount for its members and for Walmart+ users—though the perk isn’t available in New Jersey due to state fuel pricing rules.
Cross state lines
Depending on which state you live in, the average gas prices range from $3.26 to $5.84 per gallon, according to AAA. One reason for that wide range (besides the skyrocketing price of oil): Some states put a higher tax on gas. If you live near the border of a state with significantly cheaper gas prices, it may pay you to fill up there. For instance, the average price of regular, unleaded gas in Illinois is $4.24 per gallon, while in neighboring Iowa, it’s $3.31—that’s almost a $1 savings per gallon.
Sign up for gas club rewards
Nearly every major gas station chain has its own rewards program that you can sign up for to earn points and receive pump discounts. Some chains offer a bonus at signup—if you’re an AARP member, for example, and you sign up for a new Exxon Mobil Rewards+ account, you’ll receive a bonus of 500 points, which is worth $5 after your first fill-up. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can link your account with the rewards program for BP and its subsidiaries, called Earnify, to save 10 cents a gallon at the pump.
Redeem supermarket rewards
You can also sign up for the rewards program at your local supermarket to save on gas. The money you spend on groceries at stores including Ralphs/Kroger, Vons, Stop & Shop, Giant Eagle and Albertsons will earn you points that you can redeem for gas discounts. Some stores double fuel rewards when you purchase gift cards—Ralphs/Kroger will even give you four times the rewards on certain days and reward you with points for getting vaccines.
Pay in cash
Some gas stations offer a discount—typically 5 cents to 10 cents a gallon—if you pay for your gas in cash rather than use a credit card, as this offsets the amount the station would have to pay in credit card transaction fees. So always be sure to ask before you tap your card.
Take advantage of T-Mobile perks
If you have your cellphone plan through T-Mobile, you already know that the carrier offers amazing perks like free drinks and food to members every Tuesday. Discounts on gas purchases are another pretty common perk. Download the T-Mobile Tuesday app, and enter your ZIP code to see what’s available near you.
Times are tough right now, and due to global uncertainty, it’s impossible to know when gas prices will come down again. But with these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be on your way to finding cheaper gas and keeping more money in your pocket.
Additional reporting by Karen Cicero.
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Sources:
- AAA: “AAA Fuel Prices”
- Aixa Diaz, AAA spokesperson and media relations manager with AAA’s national office; email interview, April 2025
- Consumer Reports: “Don’t be tricked by gas station cash discounts”
