Cut Your Fuel Bill Today: 12 Ways to Pay Less at the Pump

American drivers have been mired in multiyear high per-gallon prices of gasoline for months, and there's little to suggest that pain at the pump will go away anytime soon.

Seeing as how gas costs are a pretty significant line item in our readers' budgets, we're going to provide you with a dozen different ways to either secure lower gas prices—or improve your car's efficiency so you don't burn as much fuel.

National Average Gas Prices Back Above $4/Gallon

For a minute there, it looked like our gas woes had peaked. And maybe they still have.

But as we write this today, the per-gallon cost of gasoline has rebounded north of $4, which is about 30% higher than it was a year ago. And without a concrete end to our war with Iran in sight, most signs point to prices staying that way—if not climbing even higher—for the foreseeable future.

Chart courtesy of GasBuddy.com

A Friday note from JPMorgan analysts, for instance, suggests that energy prices must go higher to make up a massive global oil supply gap of about 14 million barrels per day. 

Analyst Natasha Kaneva and her team suggest that Brent crude—light, sweet crude oil that's produced in the North Sea—currently priced just below $105 per barrel, might need to surpass $150 to reduce demand enough that it offsets the current world production shortage. And the average price of U.S. gasoline could eclipse $5 per gallon, they write.

Young and the Invested Tip: $10 here and $10 there can add up when you're trying to fend off higher gas prices. These apps help you earn a little extra.

That's a significant problem for many Americans, who on average spent $201 per month on gasoline in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. That comes out to roughly 3% of their total annual budget.

That doesn't sound like much in a vacuum. But it's yet another point of upward price pressure for people who have absorbed numerous inflationary shocks over the past few years.

Today, we'll try to help.

12 Tips for Cheaper Gas, Better Fuel Efficiency

Whether you have a long work commute or love road trips, you might have to buy a lot of gasoline. Unfortunately, that can be expensive. Here are 12 ways to save on gas so you can drive more and spend less.

1. Drive Like Your Grandmother Is in the Car

Driving a bit slower and smoother, particularly on highways, can cut down on wind resistance and therefore increase fuel economy. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's 2026 Fuel Economy Guide, every 5 miles per hour (mph) you accelerate over 60 mph can reduce your fuel economy by 7%. Moreover, aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage by about 15%-30% at highway speeds and 10%-40% in stop-and-go traffic.

A good way to think about it? Drive like you would if your grandmother were in the car. That doesn't mean you slow down to the point of impeding traffic—just don't live life exclusively in the fast lane, and don't floor it out of every stop light.

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2. Strategically Choose Where to Buy Gasoline

Where you purchase your gasoline can make a significant difference in how much you pay. Even a few cents per gallon less can add up over time. So, rather than drive up to whatever gas station is nearest when you get low, be intentional about where you purchase gas. 

Certain warehouse clubs, such as Costco and Sam's Club, offer fuel discounts. For some members, that discount alone is worth the membership fee. Costco's gas is usually 5¢ to 40¢ per gallon cheaper than local competitors' costs, for instance. If you don't belong to a warehouse club, just compare gas signs much like you'd compare price tags at a store.

(But where possible, think long-term with your gas shopping. Often, larger chains will temporarily lower their prices to push out smaller gas stations. Once the competition is gone, they hike prices back up.)

3. Use Apps or Websites

As the saying goes, "There's an app for that." Finding affordable gas is no exception. 

Apps like GasBuddy, AAA, Gas Guru, Google Maps, and Waze can not only help you locate nearby gas stations, but also offer price information. Particularly if you're on a road trip or in an unfamiliar city, using an app is an excellent way to find the cheapest gas around. If you're doing a big fill-up, it might be worth driving a little more to pay a lot less.

You can also use apps like Upside that pay cash back on purchases with minimal extra effort. Upside provides cash-back rewards not only on gas, but also grocery stores, restaurants, and more. You can also use it alongside other discounts, coupons, and loyalty programs. And if you sign up through our link and use promo code YOUNGINV25, you'll get an extra 25¢/gallon bonus on your first fill-up.

4. Sign Up for Loyalty Programs

Commonly, gas stations offer loyalty programs that give customers discounts. A couple of examples:

• The free Shell Fuel Rewards program has Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers. Those with Platinum status can get as much as 10¢ off per gallon.
• 7-Eleven's 7REWARDS currently offers 11¢ per gallon off on your first seven trips. 

If there is a gas station with convenient locations that aligns with your morals, becoming a loyal member can save you money. There is also no rule that says you can't sign up for multiple loyalty programs.

5. Optimize How You Pay

How you pay for gas can affect how much you pay. 

Some gas stations offer a lower price if you pay with cash, which is a no-brainer. If they don't give a discount, it's usually better to use a credit card.

Young and the Invested Tip: When budgets are tight, people try to go fully frugal. But a few of these practices don't actually save you money.

If you have multiple credit cards, which one you take out of your wallet can make a difference too. Cash back on gas purchases is a somewhat common perk among reward credit cards, but the percentage varies by card. Take a look at the fine print for your credit cards. One of your cards that offers 1% cash back on everything may offer a higher percentage, such as 2% or 3%, specifically for gas purchases. For cards that rotate rewards, pay extra attention to the current gas cash-back amount.

6. Perform Routine Car Maintenance

Several car maintenance tasks can save you money by extending your vehicle's life and preventing costly major car repairs. Some of these tasks can help you save money on gas as well. 

For example, dirty air filters can cause lower fuel efficiency. Check your filters about every 12,000 to 15,000 miles and change them when necessary. Regular oil changes and tire rotations can reduce your gas costs, too.

7. Carefully Plan Your Routes

Be grateful that you don't have to solely rely on paper maps for driving navigation like people used to. Now, you can look up routes on your phone or computer and use advanced navigation systems, such as Google Maps. 

Take advantage of today's technology by using it to strategically plan out your drives. For instance, Google Maps has a toggle option called "Prefer fuel-efficient routes" in which it will provide more eco-friendly paths if the arrival time will be similar.

8. Don't Wait Until Empty to Fill Up

While filling up can be a hassle, it might pay off to fuel up more frequently. Rather than waiting until your tank is close to empty, try keeping it at least a quarter full. 

Why? As you approach an empty tank, sediment at the bottom can build up and clog the fuel line.

This is already a common recommendation to those who experience exceedingly cold winters. It's a misconception that you need at least half a tank so the gas doesn't freeze (unless you're approaching negative 50 degrees). However, the gas tank itself could freeze before that. More gas in the tank reduces the space for condensation to form, enter your fuel line, and freeze.

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9. Remove Unnecessary Weight

For long drives, particularly if you'll be going on the interstate, take off roof racks and/or rear-mounted bike racks you aren't using. A big rooftop cargo box can reduce fuel economy by 10%-25% at interstate speeds. While you're at it, remove all the junk in your trunk. Carrying an additional 100 pounds can lower fuel economy by around 1%.

10. Use Air Conditioning Instead of Open Windows

Do you love to pop the sunroof and roll all of the car windows down in the summer? Sometimes, it can actually be more fuel-efficient to use your air conditioner. Yes, air conditioning increases how much gas you use. However, at high speeds, open windows cause substantial aerodynamic drag that makes your engine work harder.

11. Re-Evaluate Whether You Need Premium Gasoline

Do you use premium gasoline? Research whether your vehicle actually benefits from it. 

Per the aforementioned 2026 Fuel Economy Guide, the recommended fuel for most gasoline vehicles is regular unleaded. Indeed, "using a higher-octane gasoline vehicle than recommended by the owner's manual does not improve performance or fuel efficiency under normal conditions." 

In other words: If your car is designed for regular fuel, you aren't doing it any favors by filling it with premium, and those high-cost fill-ups are unnecessarily draining your wallet. 

12. Strategically Time Your Fill-Up Trips

The day of the week that you fill up your tank can affect the gas prices you pay. According to a 2026 GasBuddy analysis, Sunday is the most consistently affordable day to get gas in most U.S. states, followed by Monday. Meanwhile, Wednesday through Friday are usually more expensive.

Gas prices fluctuate, but the weekly patterns generally remain the same. If possible, try to get into the pattern of filling up on a regular schedule that takes advantage of the cheapest days and avoids the most expensive ones. 

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Spring has sprung! Enjoy the greener surroundings and warmer temps, and we'll talk to you again next week!

Riley & Kyle

Young and the Invested

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