You've asked yourself this question “Where is the cheap gas near me?” In this post, you'll learn ways on how to save money on gas and the money-saving gas apps you never thought exist. You'd wish you knew this info before.
Gas prices aren't getting any cheaper. You can even drive or travel for free because of the gas prices.
When you have a vehicle that eats up gas like crazy, you'd wish there's a way to get around paying for fuel that costs a lot. I feel you because we're in the same situation as you are.
Believe it or not:
If you're looking for the best ways to find the cheap gas near you and save money, you don't need to drive all over to find the best bang for your buck.
There are several best gas applications that can help you beat those high fuel prices. I'm not kidding about that.
If you are so proactive like some other people, you'd find these apps handy.
If you ready to learn what these mobile platforms are and learn how to save money on gas:
Read on!
10 Best Gas Apps To Find Cheap Gas Near Me
Here are some of the best apps that could save you a few cents to a couple of dollars at the pump station.
You'll thank yourself for looking up these applications (you'll think using them is one of the best smart money moves) especially when you're going to save a few hundred dollars using these platforms a couple of months down the road.
This post lays out:
- Free Gas Mobile Platforms
- Paid Gas Apps
- Tips On How To Save Money On Gas
Some free ones are better than the paid ones, and vice-versa.
Read: Does AC use gas?
Free Apps To Get Cheap Gas
These are some of the free mobile applications that can help you save money on gas at the pump. Since they are free, you might as well use all of them.
1. Gas Guru: Free
If you’re always looking up online ‘cheap gas near me, then the Gas Guru is for you.
In the cheap gas station near me app space, Gas Guru is pretty well known for a few reasons including that the app uses Oil Price Information Service, which shows you cheap up-to-date gas prices.
What’s really great is that the app timestamps the last gas price updates so you can determine whether the gas station is likely to have that price still.
Who could say no to that? Using Gas Guru is one of the best frugal living tips you should consider.
Save time and money. Try Gas Guru for free today.
2. GasBuddy App: Free
With more than 60 million users, it’s pretty safe to say that GasBuddy app is a pretty popular and well-known cheap gas station near me app.
GasBuddy app is a crowdsourced gas app, meaning it gets a lot of its information from actual users, allowing the app to show you the best gas prices near me options for you.
By crowdsourcing this information, the app can save you a few cents on each gallon. Crazy!
Also, GasBuddy app links to your checking account and each time you fill up you can use the app to save 5 cents per gallon. With your first fill-up, you get 15 cents per gallon.
Five cents a gallon might not seem like much, but with the average American household spending an average of $9,503 a year on transit needs every penny counts.
The GasBuddy website says the app can help you save roughly $340 a year on gas. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to start using GasBuddy.
3. Waze Gas App: Free
Waze for finding cheap gas?
That's right, the popular Google-owned crowdsourced navigation app Waze is a great way to find cheap gas.
With Waze, you can set preferred gas stations (even gas type) and sort by price or brand.Click to TweetThen, of course, the Waze app will provide you the best route to get there.
Probably the best part of Waze is that if you stop and get gas at one of their partner gas stations, you'll get a bonus. If you want to learn how to save money on gas, use Waze.
The Waze app will literally save you both time and money. Try Waze today!
FYI: I sometimes use it as one of my coupon apps because it shows where I can get the best deal on food-on-the-go to.
4. AAA TripTik® Planner: Free
AAA has a feature within its app called TripTik® Planner.
The app allows you to plan a road trip and plot up to 20 stops along your trek.
Luckily for us, the app shows the best places to stop for gas along with the most efficient route.
AAA has more than 85,000 gas stations in their database and also offers updated gas prices near me information so you'll never be wondering what is the best cheap gas near me.
Better yet, you don't need to be a member to use TripTik®. However, to access the full app, you need to join.
Save time and money. Try AAA TripTik® Planner for free today.
5. Gas Prices by MapQuest
Gas Prices, an app created by Mapquest, allows users to see where to find the cheapest gas.
Believe it or not:
A lot of people use this app if they want to know how to move with no money.
From the best prices in your neighborhood to your daily commute to the office, and even on road trips, this user-friendly app allows you to find the best prices anywhere you go.
The app even has a feature that allows you to sort by type of fuel and add to your favorites list.
Click here to start using Gas Prices by MapQuest. You'll find that it's one of the best gas apps out there.
6. GEICO Mobile: Free
GEICO Mobile, an app from car insurance company Geico, is also a gas app. This is what I use to save money on gas (just because I have my car insurance with Geico).
The app has features that allow you to find the best gas prices! Even better, through using Oil Price Information Service, the app provides you with real-time prices so you can always get the best price on gas.
To access this price locator feature, simply download the GEICO app and search for the gas price locator.
Click here to download the GEICO app.
7. GetUpside: Free
Another unconventional cheap gas station near me app is GetUpside.
The app has a unique cashback offer when fueling up.Click to TweetTo get started with the app, simply provide GetUpside your phone number. The app will text you with offers at gas stations near you.
From here you fill up your tank and take a picture of your receipt and send it to GetUpside. Get Upside will then give you free PayPal money or a check. Click here for more cash back sites to earn you money.
Click here to start using GetUpside.
Paid Platforms To Help You Find Cheap Gas Station Prices
Below are some of the apps (that you need to pay for) that can help you find some of the cheapest gas prices.
8. Dash: $10-99, You Have to Purchase Sensors With the App
Not exactly your typical cheap gas near me app, but Dash does have features that can help you save on gas.
By monitoring your driving behaviors, Dash can help you save more on gas by showing you why your gas isn't lasting as long as you like.
In addition, the app shows you other factors that could be affecting your fuel consumption.
To use the app, you need to purchase a few sensors for your car, so costs to use the app can range from $10 to $99.
Learn more about Dash here.
9. RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder: $1.99
Next, on our list of the cheap gas station near me apps is RoadAhead Highway Exit Finder.
The app searches for gas, among other things like food and lodging, and categorizes it by ratings, prices, and distance to exit.
It's a pretty handy app if you're looking to find cheap prices for gas because it allows you to compare gas prices at the stations at the next exit in addition to the ones that are miles down the road.
The app does have a onetime $1.99 cost, but the money you'll save on gas will well make up for it!
Click here to start using RoadAhead.
6 Tips To Help You Learn How To Save Money On Gas
When it comes to saving on gas, there's definitely more than you can do besides using the above-mentioned platforms. Here are 6 actional steps you can take today to help save you cash on fuel.
1. Check your tire pressure
Your tire pressure can impact how many miles you’re getting out of your fuel.
Check your tire pressure every few months. While many cars will alert you if tire pressure is low, it’s always good to check, especially before going on a long road trip.
2. Don’t use your car for car storage
The heavier your car is, the more gas you're using. To combat the weight in your car, reduce the number of things you have in your trunk or around the car.
I have kiddos. I know the drill. It's hard to keep the car clean and decluttered. Do yourself a favor and dedicate 30 minutes each week to getting that car clean.
Not only will it be nice to have a clean car, but you'll also potentially be saving on gas!
3. Be mindful of idling
We've all been there. You're waiting to pick up the kids from soccer practice, and you're sitting, idling in the parking lot for 10 minutes.
While it might seem harmless, those few minutes can really eat up your fuel.
When possible in these moments, shut off your engine.
4. Use cruise control on long trips
Cruise control can be a fuel savers dream because that steady speed allows you to save on fuel. If your car has it, try using cruise control more often, especially during long trips.
5. Don’t drive aggressively
Accelerating and suddenly stopping is one of the leading culprits of an empty gas tank.
It might be hard, especially during your commute to work, which the average American spends 19 full workdays a year doing.
Yikes!
But, slow down and be aware of how you're maneuvering around town. It not only will help keep you and others stay safe, but also might put some money back in your pocket.
6. Use other ways to save money
There's only so much you can do to save on gas. If you've exhausted all your options, consider a side hustle, like taking surveys online.
These side hustles can help you make not just a couple of hundreds, but also thousands of dollars monthly.
Here's a good example:
Swagbucks – an all-around app – can help you make money doing almost anything you do. Whether it's reading news, listening to the radio, watching videos, typing a keyword, or something else, you'll get paid to do those. Period.
Try also to think of every way you can save, like refinancing your student loans or selling your unused clothes.
Tips For Price-Shopping Gas and Getting Gas Cheaper
Here are some other ways to get cheaper gas than just using apps.
1. Membership clubs and grocery stores
Some membership clubs and grocery stores have a rewards program that can help you get discounts on gas. Take advantage of those.
For example, at BJ’s Wholesale Club, gas prices are typically 5 to 10 cents cheaper than if you go to other gas stations.
Other grocery stores like Giant partners with Shell Gas Company to give you a gas discount if you spend XXX when you shop at Giant.
For example, you get 2 points for every $15 you spend at Giant. You can actually save up to $1.50 per gallon. That’s a lot of savings especially when your car fills up a ton of gallons of gas.
2. Cash back credit cards
There are credit cards designed for gas purchases (e.g., Chase’s BP Credit Card) to give you higher cash back on gases. Some of these cards even give cash back as high as 5%.
Other credit cards offer a tier-type rewards program, for example, where 5% cash back is given for purchases related to gas, 3% for food, and 1% for everything else.
Find which credit card companies offer that.
3. Track prices throughout the U.S.
Your best friend for getting cheaper gas when you're on travel are gas apps.
If you are traveling a distance, then, checking gas prices through the country will benefit you.
If you are traveling far then checking gas prices through the country will benefit you.Click to TweetBelieve or not, there are a ton of apps for that. But I really like gasbuddy.com.
It is one of those apps that will assist you in planning where you can get the cheapest possible gas in different areas. You can also use Waze – the GPS app. All you need to do is type in gas stations, and it will show you the list of stations near you.
4. Travel to different towns
Sometimes, gas prices in urban areas tend to be higher than the city gas prices.
If you're in the city, you could save money by getting your gas there.
Sure you may only save $10 or even less, but if the city isn't far from where you live, that amount could make a difference.
Plus, there are so many things you can do in the city.
5. Fill up in the morning
Sometimes it's all about demand and supply. The more demand there is (holding supply constant), the higher the price.
That said, if you fill up your gas tank in the morning, you may pay a little bit less. That's because not a lot of people buy gas early in the morning.Click to TweetIn addition, the temperature in the morning is cooler, making the gas denser. When you fill-up in the afternoon (when the temperature is warmer), the heat will make the gas expand. This means that some gas evaporates and doesn't go in your tank.
6. Pump at the slow setting
We like to save time and that's why we always use the third setting on the trigger to get gas.
Yes, there are three settings on the trigger.
Here's the fact:
The slower the gas is pumped, the more money you'll save. Here are the details behind it.
7. Fill up when your half-full
The more gas you have in your tank, the less gas that evaporates.
In other words, the more unfilled space in your tank, the easier the gas will evaporate.
8. Stay away from the highway
It is known that gas stations near or off the highway charge more for gas.
Why?
It's more convenient for travelers, commuters, and/or truckers to get gas. They'd rather get them right off the highway than drive a little bit more to save a few bucks on gas.
Cheap Gas Near Me: Conclusion
When you plan ahead and use these apps, the next time you need cheap gas, you'd be able to find it with no hassle.
With these apps, you don't need to worry where the best place is to fill up your tank and still save some few dollars.
Which gas apps that help save money on gas have you used before?