Gas is expensive. Wait, what was that? Did I hear a collective “Well duh!†Oh, sorry, I didn’t know it was such a well known fact!
All kidding aside, we’re all struggling right now to fill our tanks. I know I cringe whenever I look at that digital screen that tells me how much the transaction is costing me. But there are some things you can do to make the gas you have last a little longer. Individually, these ideas to save money on gas may not make much of a difference, but if implement them all on a regular basis, you should notice that your car makes it a little further than it used to between trips to the gas station.
How to Save Money on Gas
- Slow Down!
I know, I know, we’re all in a hurry. All the time. But if you can adjust your schedule so that you can drive a little slower (perhaps, hmm hmm, under the speed limit?), you can make your gas last a little longer. Each vehicle is different, but a speed of about 50-60 mph gets the best gas mileage. - Buy a car with better fuel efficiency.
If you’re trying to save money, it doesn’t make much sense to buy a new car [1]. But if you are in the market anyway, look for something newer (but don’t buy a new car, consider a used/recertified car), as newer vehicles have advanced much in the way of gas mileage. My wife’s Accord gets about the same miles per gallon as my dad’s Expedition. But the accord is 5 years older than the Expedition. - Don’t top off your gas tank.
Once the pump tells you your gas tank is full, it is full. If you top off your tank (I know I used to be guilty of this too), you’re just adding gas that will evaporate away. - Don’t drive 5 miles to save 3 cents per gallon.
It used to be, when gas was under $2 a gallon (do you remember those days?) it would be worth it to drive a little further to get a few cents off per gallon. But now with gas costing up to $4 a gallon in some places, 3 cents is a much smaller percentage than it used to be. - Use gas rewards cards.
Sometimes rewards programs [2] help, sometimes they don’t. I feel I get a good deal with my Kroger credit card [3] (paid off each month of course) as it gives me in store savings, as well as savings at the pump. The price of their gas is comparable with other gas stations nearby, so it’s not a problem that I’m locking myself with one gas station. Chase Freedom is also offering 5% cash back on gas this quarter.
I know I’m always looking for ways to save on gas. For many of us, it may be one of the highest expenses outside of a mortgage/rent and kids.
Do you have other ideas on ways to save money on gas?