How to Save Money on Gas: 20 Tips to Make the Most of Your Mileage

Pulling up to the gas station can be a reminder of how much fuel costs add up over time. Even if you’re not planning a road trip soon, your daily driving habits can lead to serious spending on gas. In fact, Americans spend about 3.2 percent of their budget, or about $204 a month, on gas.

While you can’t avoid purchasing gas, there are some easy ways to reduce your spending at the pump. We’ve gathered these useful tips to teach you how to save money on gas so your trips to the gas station don’t feel like such a burden.

1. Sign Up for Fuel Rewards Programs

Joining a fuel rewards program can lead to great perks, and, depending on the program, you may even get gas cash back on every fill-up. The Fuel Rewards Program® at Shell and Love’s both offer incredible savings per fill-up and additional perks for your commute.

2. Download a Gas App and Start Earning Cash Back

The AAA mobile app can help you find the best fuel prices and offers additional perks, including member discounts, travel recommendations and trip planning features.

A real perk of using the AAA mobile app is that you can track real-time gas prices to get the best deal in your area. That can go a long way to helping you save money on gas.

3. Drive Less to Spend Less

This may seem obvious, but a great way to save on gas is to not use your car unless you have to. It can be tough to whittle down how many times a week you take your car out, but you can start by taking note of how often you use your car and for what. With this information, you can then set realistic goals for using your car less often.

For example, if you need to go out to purchase an item, think about when you realistically need it and if you can benefit from ordering it online instead. Plenty of online shops offer free shipping, making the item cheaper than if you were to burn unnecessary fuel on a trip to the store.

4. Slow Down to Increase Miles per Gallon

Driving at top speed causes you to burn through your fuel faster. It creates more aerodynamic drag, so your car expels more energy while keeping you in motion at higher speeds.

AAA suggests staying at or below 50 miles per hour to avoid burning fuel too quickly, as most cars hit peak fuel economy at this speed. If you’re on a road where the speed limit is above 50 miles per hour, adapting to the speed limit while maintaining a steady speed can help you maximize efficiency.

5. Plan Fuel-Efficient Routes to Avoid Wasting Gas

Sometimes, the most fuel-saving route won’t be the shortest in distance. Traffic and stopping points, like intersections, can affect efficiency, so do your research before heading out the door.

It also helps to combine multiple outings and errands into one more efficient trip. Use AAA’s TripTik travel planner to create a route that takes you to all the places you need to go to rather than heading out on multiple trips throughout the week.

6. Research Prices Where You Travel

Before a road trip, know what gas prices are typically like in the area you’re traveling to so you can budget better. Gas prices vary by state, which can really impact the cost of filling your tank.

To save money on travel, fill your tank before crossing the border into another state with higher gas prices. In some cases, it might be better to wait until you drive into another state to fuel up, as long as you’re not running low on gas.

7. Fill Up When the Temperature is Coolest

Gas expands in higher temperatures, so head to the pump early in the morning or after the sun has gone down to save on gas.

On top of this, summer-blend gas is more expensive because it’s more costly to produce than winter-blend gas, and demand for fuel increases during the season. Keep these factors in mind as you plan your summer activities so you can look for ways to spend less time on the road and save on fuel.

8. Buy Gas Early in the Week When Demand Is Low

According to USA Today, Mondays and Tuesdays are generally the best days for gas deals because there is less demand for gas at the start of the week.

Prices tend to rise as the week progresses. Gas prices often hit their peak on Fridays since many people like to spend their weekends outside of their homes. To avoid long wait times at the gas station and to save on fuel, fill your tank earlier in the week.

9. Split the Cost When Carpooling

One of the best ways to save gas is to carpool. Look for opportunities to carpool, like during your commute to work, while driving your kids to school, or when going to a large event, like a sports game or a party.

You can either split the cost of gas while carpooling or take turns driving so that it’s fair for everyone participating. If someone has a car that gets significantly better gas mileage, consider having this person drive more often.

10. Use Cruise Control for Maximum Fuel Efficiency

Cruise control can help fuel efficiency by making it easier to keep your car going at a steady pace. With this feature activated, you don’t have to make much of an effort to maintain a constant speed, which is a huge plus for your commute.

Use this feature on longer drives and highways with a good flow of traffic. Keep in mind that cruise control isn’t recommended on slippery roads, so adjust this practice accordingly.

11. Change Your Filters Regularly for Better Performance

Clogged filters can make your engine work harder. Check your car’s manual for replacement schedules for each type of filter, and be sure to keep them clean for better performance.

You can replace some of your car’s filters at home with a little guidance from a quality retailer like NAPA Auto Parts.

12. Prevent Idling

It was common practice to turn on your car and let it idle for a couple of minutes to allow the engine to warm up. Although this was necessary for older cars, this practice is now outdated and wasteful.

In colder temperatures, you may find yourself idling your car because you need some time to defrost your windows, but this is more for visibility and safety than your engine’s health.

Not idling your car is also better for your fuel efficiency since you aren’t burning fuel while your vehicle isn’t moving. According to fueleconomy.gov, you can save more gas if you turn your car off rather than idling if you expect to be waiting for more than a minute.

13. Keep Your Tank Full to Protect Your Engine

It’s important that you don’t let your fuel level drop drastically as this can negatively affect the fuel system and engine, which can lead to less than ideal fuel economy.

Gas isn’t completely clean and contains sediment and other debris that can negatively impact your car’s health. When your fuel is low, this sediment may get picked up and pushed through your fuel system. Over time, this can lead to clogs and added strain.

Additionally, most cars have a fuel pump that needs to be submerged in gas for optimal performance. If you’re running low on gas, your fuel pump will be exposed to air, leading to wear, overheating and added strain.

14. Know Your Vehicle’s Efficiency and History

Research a car’s fuel efficiency before purchasing. Check miles per gallon, fuel type and weight for new cars. Get a CARFAX report for used cars to avoid hidden issues that impact gas mileage.

Calculate your car’s fuel efficiency to stay on top of any changes that may arise, as these can indicate an issue. Your car’s fuel efficiency can decline over time, but this shouldn’t be a sudden drop.

15. Use Air Conditioning as Needed

Blasting your air conditioning will deplete your gas. There are, however, some occasions when the air conditioning is a better option than rolling down your windows.

According to fueleconomy.gov, your air conditioning is more fuel efficient than rolling down your windows at high speeds because open windows increase drag. You can roll down your windows at lower speeds instead of turning on the air conditioning to save gas.

16. Stay on Top of Maintenance to Keep Your Car Fuel-Efficient

Keeping up with car maintenance may help improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Don’t skip regular maintenance because this can cost you more in the long run.

Keep tires properly inflated, change oil on schedule and clean filters to prevent excess wear and fuel consumption.

If it’s time for your vehicle’s next maintenance check, find your nearest AAA Approved Repair Facilities to get your car back to its best.

17. Accelerate Smoothly for Better Gas Mileage

Keep a steady foot on the gas pedal and avoid accelerating quickly. Your car burns more fuel if you constantly hit the accelerator because speeding up quickly requires extra power.

Instead, maintain a constant speed and, when necessary, speed up at a steady pace to avoid pushing your engine too hard.

18. Use the Right Gasoline for Your Vehicle

When you pull up to the pump, you’re confronted with three gasoline options, but which one is the right one for your car?

The answer is in your owner’s manual. Find the manufacturer's recommendation for your car and stick to the recommended octane rating. 

The lowest octane gas, often called regular, is fine for most cars. If your car manufacturer recommends this type of gas, you won’t see any benefits from using a higher octane fuel. In fact, AAA research shows that American drivers waste billions of dollars a year by purchasing premium-grade gasoline for cars that don’t need it.

If you have a car with a high-performance engine, then the manufacturer will likely recommend a higher octane gas. Using a lower octane gas can lead to lower performance and engine damage over time. Spend the extra money at the pump to prevent pricey engine repairs in the future.

19. Search for a Cheaper Option

Do your best to avoid gas stations located right off of highways because, as CNN reports, these tend to be more expensive. These gas stations will often charge higher prices because of their convenient location.

Whether on a road trip or your daily commute, try to keep your tank full to avoid stopping at one of these overpriced gas stations. Give yourself enough time to drive down the road a few blocks to a gas station that offers a better deal.

20. Take Alternate Modes of Transportation

Before instinctively grabbing your car keys on your way out, consider if there are other modes of transportation you can use to get to your destination.

Learning the bus and other public transportation routes in your area might take a little extra effort, but using these alternatives and leaving your car at home can help you save fuel.

Learn How to Save Money on Gas and Make the Most of Your Mileage

Now that you’ve learned how to save money on gas, you’re better prepared to hit the road. Don’t forget that with a AAA Membership, you can save even more on your car-related expenses. With all the discounts AAA members enjoy, you’re sure to save plenty more.

FAQs About How to Save Money on Gas

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about saving money on gas.

Who benefits most from tips to save money on gas?

Anyone who does a lot of driving can benefit from tips on how to save gas. Whether you’re a daily commuter, on a long-distance road trip, or have a life event that requires you to use your car more often than usual, you can save some cash with the right tips.

With these gas-saving tips, AAA members can also take advantage of college student discounts to save on essentials like food, transportation and tech.

If you’re suddenly spending more on gas due to a long-distance move, check out these moving tips to make it all much easier.

Is it possible to save a lot of money on gas?

Yes, there are many ways to save money on gas, and when combined, these strategies can yield real savings.

If you have no option but to commute to work daily, you can use a few different methods to cut back on fuel consumption. Start by looking for other transportation methods when possible so you can leave your car at home. Don’t be shy about starting a carpool system with your coworkers. You might be surprised by how many others would love to carpool and save on their gas spending.

You can also plan ahead to avoid peak traffic hours. For example, if you spend an hour sitting in traffic after work, you can instead run errands near your office or meet up with friends while you wait for highway traffic to decongest.

How do I save money on gas when renting a car?

After learning about the cheapest ways to rent a car, you likely also want to save as much as you can while driving your rental.

If you’re taking a road trip in your rental car, do your research on gas prices. Remember that gas prices differ by state, so how much you will realistically spend on fuel can be very different depending on where you’re driving. You can use a gas app to find the most affordable gas options near you. Fill your tank when you find a good price to avoid having to stop at pricey gas stations near highways that tend to charge more.

If your road trip involves long stretches of highway driving, practice efficient driving techniques that save fuel. These include avoiding accelerating and braking quickly and using cruise control to keep you at a steady speed.