How to Save Money on Gas

If you are wondering how to save money on gas, you are far from alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends over $2,100 per year on gasoline—a significant chunk of any budget. With fuel prices remaining volatile, even small improvements in how you drive, maintain your vehicle, and buy gas can add up to serious savings over the course of a year.

The good news is that you do not need a new car or a radical lifestyle change to see results. Whether you are commuting daily, planning a cross-country road trip, or simply trying to stretch every dollar, the strategies below—backed by data from the U.S. Department of Energy, AAA, and Consumer Reports—can make a meaningful difference at the pump.

Change Your Driving Habits for Immediate Savings

Your right foot has more influence on fuel economy than almost any other factor. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving—rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding—can lower your gas mileage by up to 40% in city driving and 15–30% on highways. Here is how to drive smarter:

• Accelerate smoothly and gradually. Gentle acceleration is the single most effective habit change you can make. Pretend there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. This alone can improve city fuel economy by up to 40%, as noted by Toyota's driving tips guide.
• Coast to stops. When you see a red light or slowing traffic ahead, lift off the accelerator early and coast rather than maintaining speed and braking hard at the last moment. This uses zero fuel while decelerating and reduces brake wear.
• Use cruise control on highways. Maintaining a constant speed eliminates the micro-accelerations that waste fuel. AAA recommends cruise control for any sustained highway driving on flat terrain.
• Minimize idling. Idling burns up to half a gallon of fuel per hour while getting you exactly zero miles per gallon. Modern engines do not need to warm up—just start driving gently. If you are going to be stopped for more than 60 seconds (other than in traffic), turn off the engine.

The Optimal Speed Sweet Spot

Fuel economy drops significantly at higher speeds. Most vehicles reach peak efficiency between 45 and 55 MPH. According to the Department of Energy, every 5 MPH you drive above 50 MPH is roughly equivalent to paying an extra $0.19 per gallon for gas. Driving at 70 MPH instead of 55 MPH can reduce your fuel economy by 15% or more. On a 500-mile road trip, simply slowing from 75 MPH to 60 MPH could save you $15–$25 in fuel.

Keep Your Vehicle in Peak Condition

Checking your tire pressure monthly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve fuel economy.

A poorly maintained vehicle burns more fuel than it should. Consumer Reports and the Department of Energy both emphasize that basic maintenance is one of the most reliable ways to improve MPG:

• Check tire pressure monthly. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and can reduce fuel economy by up to 3%. You lose approximately 1% fuel economy for every 2 PSI drop across all four tires. Tires naturally lose about 1 PSI per 10°F temperature drop, so check more frequently during seasonal changes.
• Replace dirty air filters. A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, forcing it to work harder and burn more fuel. Replacement is inexpensive and can improve engine efficiency noticeably.
• Use the correct motor oil. Using the manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage by 1–2%. Look for oil labeled "Energy Conserving" by the API.
• Stay on top of tune-ups. A faulty oxygen sensor alone can reduce fuel economy by as much as 20%. Do not ignore your check engine light—it is often fuel-economy related.

Reduce Weight and Aerodynamic Drag

Extra weight and wind resistance force your engine to work harder. According to the Department of Energy, every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces fuel economy by roughly 1–2%. Here is what to do:

• Clean out your trunk. That box of tools, sports equipment, or bags of old clothes you keep meaning to donate? Remove them. Lightening your load is free and immediate.
• Remove roof racks and cargo carriers when not in use. Roof-mounted accessories significantly increase aerodynamic drag and can reduce fuel economy by 2% to 25% depending on speed and cargo size. A large rooftop cargo box at highway speed creates a major penalty.
• Close your windows at highway speeds. Open windows at high speed create turbulence that increases drag. Use your AC instead at highway speeds. In the city, the opposite applies—roll down the windows and turn off the AC to save the engine the compressor load.

Fuel Up Smarter

Where, when, and how you buy gas matters more than most people realize. WalletHub's guide to saving on gas highlights several strategies that can shave cents off every gallon:

• Use the GasBuddy app. GasBuddy crowdsources real-time gas prices so you can find the cheapest station near you. Their Trip Cost Calculator also lets you estimate fuel costs for any route. Prices can vary by $0.30–$0.50 per gallon within the same city.
• Avoid gas stations near highway exits. These stations consistently charge premium prices because they cater to travelers in a hurry. Driving just a mile or two off the highway often saves $0.10–$0.30 per gallon.
• Sign up for loyalty programs. Grocery store fuel rewards (Kroger, Safeway, Giant), warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club), and gas station loyalty programs (Shell Fuel Rewards, BP Rewards) can save you $0.05–$0.25 per gallon on every fill-up.
• Use a gas rewards credit card. Cards that offer 3–5% cash back on gas purchases effectively reduce your per-gallon cost. As US News notes, combining a rewards card with a loyalty program can stack savings significantly.
• Fill up early in the week. Gas prices tend to be lowest on Monday and Tuesday and peak heading into the weekend. While this varies by region, filling up mid-week is a good default habit.
• Watch for state price differences. If you live near a state border, gas prices on the other side may be significantly cheaper due to different fuel taxes. A quick check on GasBuddy before crossing can save you a surprising amount.
• Skip premium gas unless your car requires it. If your owner's manual says "regular unleaded," using premium is simply wasting money—typically $200–$500 per year for zero benefit. See our full analysis: is premium gas worth it?

Plan Your Routes and Combine Trips

Smart route planning is an often-overlooked way to save fuel. A warmed-up engine runs far more efficiently than a cold one, so combining multiple short errands into a single trip keeps your engine at optimal operating temperature and eliminates redundant cold starts:

• Combine errands into one trip. Four separate 3-mile trips burn significantly more fuel than one 12-mile loop, because each cold start wastes fuel while the engine warms up.
• Avoid peak traffic when possible. Stop-and-go traffic is a fuel economy nightmare. If your schedule allows, shift your commute by 30–60 minutes to avoid rush hour. Your MPG in heavy traffic can drop by 20–40% compared to free-flowing conditions.
• Use navigation apps for fuel-efficient routes. Google Maps and Waze can suggest routes that minimize fuel consumption. Google Maps specifically offers an "eco-friendly route" option that factors in elevation changes and traffic patterns.
• For road trips, use a trip cost calculator. Before heading out, plan your route and fuel stops using tools like the GasBuddy Trip Cost Calculator to identify the cheapest stations along your route.

Money-Saving Apps and Tools

Technology makes it easier than ever to track and reduce your fuel spending. Here are the most useful tools:

Tips Specific to Road Trip Travelers

Road trips amplify every fuel-saving strategy because you are covering hundreds or thousands of miles. Members of communities like r/roadtrip and r/frugal on Reddit consistently share these tips for keeping road trip fuel costs under control:

• Map out your fuel stops in advance. Do not wait until your tank is nearly empty and be forced to fill up at the nearest (and often most expensive) station. Plan stops at cheaper stations along your route using GasBuddy.
• Drive at moderate highway speeds. On a 1,000-mile road trip, slowing from 75 MPH to 60 MPH might add 3–4 hours but could save you $30–$50 in fuel. Find the speed that balances time and cost for your trip.
• Pack light and smart. Use interior cargo space rather than roof-mounted carriers whenever possible. If you must use a roof carrier, choose a rear-mounted or aerodynamic option to minimize drag.
• Fill up before crossing into expensive states. Fuel taxes vary wildly by state. Filling up in South Carolina before crossing into North Carolina, or in New Jersey before entering New York, can save a noticeable amount.

Contributors on r/personalfinance also recommend tracking your actual trip fuel costs against your estimates. This builds a personal database you can use for more accurate budgeting on future trips.

Frequently Asked Questions