Gas prices are draining low income budgets across the country, so it’s no wonder why so many people are looking for new or creative ways to save money on gas.
Believe me, I’ve been there—I will always remember bringing piles of pennies into our local Shell Station in Issaquah, Washington when I was a young mom. We lived in a low income housing complex in a wealthy part of town, and I frequently waited in line behind people filling up with $100 bills. Not me. I paid in pennies and whatever change I could gather. Once, the cashier almost handed me someone else’s change by accident and we all joked about it… but it also kinda stung.
Because the truth is, when your budget is that tight, gas prices aren’t just a ‘drain’—they are a threat to your survival. If you can’t afford gas, it can affect your ability to get to work. You might miss appointments or interviews. When gas prices increase, it can create impossible dilemmas for people who are barely scraping by.
I’ve spent years looking for ways to avoid that feeling, and I’ve put this guide together to help you game the system so you don’t have to count pennies at the pump like I did.
Shopping Strategies to Lower Gas Costs
Find the best price. If you don’t already know the best-priced pump in your area, it’s time to install some apps. Tools like GasBuddy, Upside and Waze show you real-time fuel pricing available in your area so that you can find the best store near you. This is especially helpful because the pump with the best price may change over time. Just be mindful that you don’t drive too far out of your way, because a long detour can unwind some of that savings.
Pay attention to the cash price. Many stations will drop 10 cents off the purchase price of the gasoline if you pay with cash instead of a card. Keeping some cash on hand can help you get the best rate.
Stack your strategies. You may also be able to “stack” different types of discounts. For example, using a station-specific app like Shell Fuel Rewards or BPme combined with a third-party rebate app like Upside can take $0.15 to $0.25 off the price per gallon. The station app takes a few cents off immediately, and the rebate app gives you cash back later.
Shop on the right day. GasBuddy analyzed three years worth of fuel price data and discovered that Monday is the best day to purchase gas. Avoid buying gas Thursday through Sunday if you can. Chris Faulkner, CEO and President of Breitling Oil and Gas, once told Forbes that “gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel” and “10 am is when most station owners make their price change for the day.” Avoid holidays, too!
Just keep an eye out for predatory marketing tactics. Grocery stores often advertise fuel savings if you spend enough money, but the stores that offer those deals tend to be very overpriced in the first place. And the unfortunate truth is that if you are paying 20% more for your groceries at a high-end store just to save 10 cents on gas, you are still losing money.
Driving Habits That Improve Fuel Economy
The way you drive can have a huge impact on your fuel economy and even on your car insurance rates. The United States Department of Energy estimates that aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage by up to 30% at highway speeds and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
Here are some quick strategies to help cut down on your gas costs:
- Stay close to 50 mph. The Department of Energy states that gas mileage drops rapidly after 50 miles per hour. In fact, you’re basically paying an extra $0.27 per gallon for every 5 mph over 50 mph. Stay close to 50 mph while driving to save the most gas money.
- Remove excess weight from your vehicle. According to DOE, every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon by about 1%. This has more of an impact on smaller vehicles instead of large ones.
- Don’t haul cargo on the roof. Creating an aerodynamic drag on your vehicle will reduce your fuel economy. A large cargo box or item can cost you $0.08 to $0.65 per gallon, per DOE.
- Don’t idle your vehicle. The Department of Energy states that idling can use up to 1/4 gallon per hour! Chris Faulker warns, “If you’re going to be waiting for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting it.” Just remember to drive at least 5 miles between start cycles to fully recharge the battery, and don’t start your car more than 10 times per day on aerage to protect the starter.
- Reduce your stops. Accelerating from a full stop is the biggest drain on your fuel economy. Traffic lights and congestion can drastically lower your fuel economy. The best route isn’t always the shortest one; for fuel economy, it’s often the one with the fewest stops.
Quick Fixes for Better Gas Mileage
Car maintenance and repair can be expensive, but even simple fixes can make a big difference. Remember, we’ve even found resources that help with car repair if you need it.
- Use your gas cap. If your gas cap is missing or broken, it can reduce your fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%! That’s because the gas cap prevents fuel from literally evaporating out of your vehicle. If you’re missing yours, your local junkyard or Pick-a-Part may be able to help you get a replacement for cheap.
- Keep your tires properly inflated. Properly inflated tires last longer, are safer to use and even save you gas money! The Department of Energy estimates you can increase your fuel economy by up to 3.3% just by keeping your tires properly inflated. The ideal tire pressure should be listed on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box. It can also be found in your owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall because it is not necessarily correct for your vehicle!
- Fix major problems when you can. Tuning the engine and providing regular maintenance can help you save some serious cash. A serious maintenance issue, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce your fuel economy by up to 40 percent!
Where to Get Free Gas Cards & Other Help
If you are low income, there are programs that may be able to help you get free gas cards, bus vouchers and other forms of transportation assistance. We already talked about free car repair grants in the previous section, but please don’t forget about these:
- Free gas cards may be available to help you get to work, school, training or even medical appointments. We have a list of programs that offer gas cards here. There’s also a special list of agencies that provide gas cards to patients with cancer.
- Bus passes may be able to help you in a pinch if you are unable to afford fuel. Although this isn’t a preferred solution, here’s a list of ways you can get help with bus passes.
- Hardship grants may also be able to assist you with other critical expenses, like housing, so that you can spend more of your money on other needs like gas. Here’s a list of hardship grants.
Gas Traps to Avoid
To save money, you have to know who is trying to take it so that you can avoid the pitfalls.
- The biggest trap is Premium Gas. If your owner’s manual says “Regular Recommended,” buying Premium is a total waste; it does not provide more power or better mileage for a standard engine, despite what the marketing implies.
- Be wary of gas station credit cards. Many carry interest rates of 30% or higher, which can wipe out a year’s worth of savings in a single month if you carry a balance.
- Avoid “magic” fuel additives or pills that promise a 20% boost in MPG. The EPA has tested hundreds of these over the decades, and they are almost universally scams. Your car’s computer and engine are already optimized; a $20 bottle of liquid won’t change the laws of physics.
- Don’t spend extra on groceries just to save on gas. Fuel rewards can sound great—but if you’re paying higher prices at certain grocery stores just to earn them, you may end up spending more overall. In many cases, shopping at lower-cost stores like Walmart will save you more than gas points ever will.
Relief Recap
Saving money on gas is possible—but the biggest wins come from being intentional, not perfect. Shop smart by comparing prices and avoiding higher-cost grocery stores just for fuel points. Drive in ways that protect your fuel efficiency, keep up with simple car maintenance, and look for real help if you need it. Most importantly, don’t fall for “savings” that cost you more in the long run. Small, practical changes can add up—and every little bit of relief matters.
