Save on Gas: Apps & Habits
Seven picks to lower your gas bill — from free price-finders to warehouse club fuel and grocery rewards.
Read the fine print on cashback gas apps
Apps like Upside, GetUpside, and Fetch ask you to link a debit or credit card, and many of them share anonymized purchase data with third parties as part of the deal. The cashback is real — but read the privacy terms before linking. If you would rather not share, you can scan the receipt manually inside Upside instead of linking your card.
GasBuddy
Best for: Finding the cheapest gas near you or along a planned trip route.
Pros
- +Real-time prices reported by other drivers, updated constantly.
- +Trip cost calculator before a long drive.
- +Pay+ debit card saves a few cents per gallon at most stations.
Cons
- −Pay+ pulls from your bank account directly — set up alerts.
- −Lots of in-app ads on the free tier.
Costco Gas (members only)
Best for: High-volume drivers. Costco gas is usually 20-40 cents below local average.
Pros
- +Top-tier fuel quality (meets the Top Tier detergent standard).
- +Big savings if you fill up weekly — pays for the membership in months.
- +Members-only, so the price is reliably lower than nearby stations.
Cons
- −Long lines on weekends.
- −Need a Costco store nearby.
Sam's Club Gas
Best for: Walmart shoppers. Sam's gas runs close to Costco prices.
Pros
- +Often 15-30 cents below local average.
- +Plus members ($110/yr) earn Sam's Cash on fuel.
- +Many locations open later than Costco.
Cons
- −Membership required.
- −Not every Sam's Club has a fuel center.
Habits that beat any app
Keep tires inflated to the door-sticker pressure (saves up to 3% on fuel). Combine errands into one loop. Drive 60-65 mph on the highway instead of 75 (10-15% better mileage). Drop the rooftop carrier when you are not using it. Most drivers save more with these habits than with any single app.
Related
Quick Tip: fill up Tuesday or Wednesday morning. National data shows those days have the lowest average prices most weeks.