19 Ways to Save Money on Gas

1. Use a Gas Rewards Credit Card

Most gasoline companies offer credit cards with discounts on gas and cash back on convenience store purchases or car washes. However, since gasoline brand credit cards can only be used at that specific gas station, a gas rewards credit card that works anywhere may make more sense.

Gas rewards cards earn rewards points or cash back for each dollar spent on gas, typically at a rate of 3% to 5%. They also offer rewards for other types of spending and possibly welcome bonuses. When comparing cards, consider rewards rules and caps, the card's annual percentage rate (APR) and any fees.

Best rewards cards of 2026

Compare cards from our partners that earn points, cash back or miles on everyday spending.

Offers from our partners

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(129)Rated 4.74 out of 5 stars, 129 reviews

96%

would recommend

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® Card

Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers

Ongoing APR:19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Rewards:

2x (Miles per dollar)

Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services. Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights

Annual Fee:$0

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(42)Rated 3.38 out of 5 stars, 42 reviews

61%

would recommend

Credit One Bank^® Secured Card

Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable

Rewards:

1% (cash back)

Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms apply.

Annual Fee:$0

ApplyView detailsRates and fees

Terms Apply

(286)Rated 4.71 out of 5 stars, 286 reviews

92%

would recommend

American Express^® Gold Card

Intro bonus:

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards:

1x - 5x (Points per dollar)

Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Annual Fee:$325

ApplyView detailsRates and fees

Terms Apply

(61)Rated 3.08 out of 5 stars, 61 reviews

52%

would recommend

First Latitude Secured Mastercard^® Cash Back Rewards

Ongoing APR:27.49% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 10% (cash back)

Earn up to 10% Cash Back on purchases at participating merchants that fit your lifestyle—from dining and grocery to retail and more—plus 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Latitude Card.^^

Annual Fee:$0

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(24)Rated 4.75 out of 5 stars, 24 reviews

96%

would recommend

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

Ongoing APR:19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Rewards:

1x - 6x (Miles per dollar)

Earn 6 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com. Earn 3 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 1 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Annual Fee:$350

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(11)Rated 4.55 out of 5 stars, 11 reviews

90%

would recommend

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Intro bonus:

125,000 Bonus Points + a $150 Statement Credit

Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable

Rewards:

2x - 6x (Points per dollar)

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points). Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

Annual Fee:$250

ApplyView detailsRates and fees

Terms Apply

(87)Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, 87 reviews

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Intro bonus:

$200

$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 6% (cash back)

Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.

Annual Fee:$0

ApplyView details

(42)Rated 4.62 out of 5 stars, 42 reviews

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Intro bonus:

$250

Limited Time Offer! $250 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable

Rewards:

1.5% (cash back)

1.5% cash back on all purchases

Annual Fee:$0

ApplyView details

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See all our best rewards credit cards for 2026.

2. Download a Gas App

Use gas apps such as GasBuddy, GasGuru and iExit to find low gas prices near you. AAA and Geico have gas apps for customers. Waze and Fuelio, though not gas-specific, provide crowdsourced info on current gas prices.

3. Use Fuel Rewards Programs

Many gas stations, including BP, Exxon Mobil, Murphy USA, Shell and Speedway, have rewards programs that are free to join. Rewards programs may offer a direct discount at the pump; rewards points redeemable for discounts on gas, car washes and convenience store purchases; and other special offers.

4. Earn Discounts When You Grocery Shop

Grocery store rewards programs at supermarkets such as Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons and Stop & Shop allow you to earn discounts on fuel at participating gas stations. You usually earn points for each $1 spent on groceries. Maximize savings by reviewing rewards terms, redemption limits and expiration dates. Some of these programs offer special promotional times where you'll earn extra fuel rewards points of specific purchases, such as gift cards.

5. Join a Membership Club

Warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart and BJ's sell discounted gas to members. These gas prices are generally five to 25 cents lower than the average gas station prices, according to Consumer Reports. A Walmart+ membership offers an additional 10 cents off per gallon at Walmart and other gas stations nationwide. Weigh potential savings against the cost of membership, as well as your likelihood to visit the gas stations where you'll receive discounts.

6. Drive Less

Save on gas by walking, biking, carpooling or taking public transportation. Is working at home even part time an option? That's another great way to cut your gas costs. Bonus: Driving less could reduce your car insurance premiums. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you drive 10,000 miles or less annually. Others have a pay-per-mile insurance option.

7. Stop Idling

Reducing idling saves gas and decreases air pollution. When waiting for over 10 seconds at an ATM, drive-through window or school pickup, turn your engine off. If possible, time your trips to avoid heavy stop-and-go traffic that requires idling.

There's no need to "warm up" your car on cold mornings, either. Today's cars only need to run for about 30 seconds before you start driving; engines continue warming up as you drive.

8. Drive Safely

Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 15% to 40%, the Department of Energy reports. Speeding, accelerating rapidly and braking suddenly can also cause accidents and increase wear and tear on your car. Gas mileage in most vehicles drops rapidly once you drive above 50 mph. Safe driving could also earn you discounts on car insurance, saving you even more.

9. Choose the Right Vehicle for the Job

If you have multiple vehicles, use the one with the best gas mileage whenever possible. Save your big SUV for family trips to Grandma's and hop in your compact hatchback for everyday errands and commuting.

10. Perform Regular Maintenance

Worn-out spark plugs, threadbare tires and clogged air filters force your car's engine to work harder, reducing fuel economy. Even if your vehicle seems to be functioning fine, follow your manufacturer's recommendations for regular servicing. Something as simple as keeping tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage by up to 3%, according to the Department of Energy. Find the correct pressure in the car's owner's manual.

11. Map Fuel-Efficient Routes

Consolidate errands to reduce time on the road. Use your phone's map apps to plot out a fuel-efficient path before heading out. Steer clear of backtracking, high-traffic routes and other gas-wasters to minimize gas use—and headaches.

12. Use Air Conditioning Wisely

Using auto air conditioning can lower fuel economy by 25% or more, according to the Department of Energy. To cool your car efficiently, air it out before getting in, or start your trip with the windows down. Don't switch on the A/C until you're on the road; most auto air conditioning systems work better when driving. Set the A/C on the highest comfortable temperature, and park in the shade or use window shades to keep your car cool.

13. Choose the Right Gas

Premium gas typically costs quite a bit more per gallon than regular. Unless the manufacturer recommends premium gas, using a lower grade won't hurt your car's performance, AAA research says.

Consumer Reports advises buying Top Tier gasoline, available at all octane levels, which features special additives to clean and protect engines. It averages just 3 cents more per gallon than non-Top Tier fuel, but can significantly decrease deposits that reduce fuel economy. Find Top Tier gas by looking for the Top Tier logo at gas stations.

14. Use the Recommended Motor Oil

Choosing the proper grade of motor oil for your engine can enhance gas mileage by up to 2%. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the correct motor oil.

15. Maintain a Steady Speed

Driving at constant speeds and within speed limits can significantly improve gas mileage. In Consumer Reports testing, driving at a steady 55 mph boosted fuel economy by 6 mpg to 8 mpg in tested midsized vehicles, compared to driving at 65 mph. Maintain speed using cruise control on highways. In the city, anticipate stops and take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down gradually instead of braking abruptly.

16. Keep Your Windows Up

When your car's windows are down, the engine must work harder to overcome aerodynamic drag (wind resistance). Once a vehicle reaches highway speeds, over 50 percent of its engine power is used to overcome wind resistance, according to Consumer Reports. Open windows increase drag, but if your car has a sunroof, you can vent it for fresh air without affecting the car's aerodynamics.

17. Limit What You Tow or Carry

Remove cargo racks when not using them. Even empty vehicle roof racks increase wind resistance, reducing fuel economy by up to 25% at highway speeds. In Consumer Reports testing, average mileage for a Nissan Altima dropped 5 mpg with an empty rooftop bike rack and 13 mpg with two bicycles on the rack. Towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads in your vehicle also lowers your mileage. The Department of Energy estimates every 100 extra pounds of weight raises fuel costs by up to 3 cents per gallon.

18. Keep Hybrid Vehicles Fully Charged

Reduce gas costs by keeping your plug-in hybrid's battery charged. A fully charged battery uses more electricity and less gas, so you won't have to refuel as often.

19. Use Economy Mode

Many gas-powered and hybrid vehicles feature an "eco mode" that adjusts vehicle functions such as steering, gear shifting and acceleration to save energy. Since eco mode also makes the car less responsive, it works best when driving 45 mph or less on flat roads where you won't need to react quickly.

Automakers claim eco mode significantly improves fuel economy. However, multiple Consumer Reports tests found no fuel savings in either city or highway driving. In addition, eco mode forces your car's systems to work harder, increasing wear and tear, which could outweigh any gas savings. If you have economy mode, you could try it and see what you think.

The Bottom Line

Gas rewards credit cards are one way to save money at the pump, but most require good to excellent credit. Check your credit report and FICO^® Score^Θ before applying for a card and work on improving your scores if necessary.