Gas Prices Surging: 9 Simple Ways to Save Real Money at the Pump Right Now

Gas prices are surging in March 2026 and hitting drivers hard amid an ongoing affordability crisis. What used to be nice, paying less at the gas pump, now feels essential for many as oil prices have been rising dramatically. Here are nine practical ways to pay less for gas.

Hunt for the Cheapest Gas Stations Using the Internet

Looking for gas stations that charge less is the most obvious way to save while fueling up. However, driving around to compare prices wastes gas. So, use apps instead. AOL recently published an article listing several apps, including GasBuddy, Waze, and GasGuru, that can be used to check local fuel prices. However, the reliability of individual apps can be questionable. So, cross-check more than one app and look for a consensus about a location with cheap gas among them.

Leverage Rewards Programs, Memberships, and Credit Cards

Since gas stations compete hard for your business, loyalty programs are common among them and can deliver real savings. A CNET article highlighted that Shell's rewards program can offer up to 30 cents off per gallon in some cases, while BP guarantees at least 5 cents. Those discounts will stack up fast for people who drive a lot. Credit cards with fuel cashback incentives operate similarly, while Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart Plus, and other membership programs can lower pump prices too.

Fill Up Strategically

You can't always fill up whenever you want and get the best price. GasBuddy averaged gas prices across America for a year and found that Sunday statistically is the cheapest day of the week for gas in most states. However, there are exceptions, including in Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Alterniatively prices peak midweek in most states. As a result, most people should prioritize filling up on Sunday and avoid the pump on hump day.

5 Ways to Drive Smarter to Stretch Every Gallon

Beyond finding cheap gas, using less of it is another huge way to save money. These fuel-saving tips from AAA will help stretch every gallon without driving less.

• Accelerate Smoothly: Since hard accelerating burns the most fuel, use cruise control on highways, maintain a steady speed, obey limits, and adjust your speed to time with traffic lights if possible.
• Avoid Idling: Warming up your car or sitting idle wastes gas. Turn off your engine if you are waiting more than a minute and aren't in traffic.
• Reduce Weight and Drag: Remove roof racks and cargo carriers when not in use, as they increase weight and drag. Clear out unnecessary items from your vehicle, but make sure to keep any safety tools and products.
• Maintain Your Vehicle: Keeping your car in good working order saves gas in ways you might not expect. For example, tires that aren't inflated to the proper level reduce fuel economy.
• Avoid Air Conditioning: Running the air conditioner costs more than having open windows, even at highway speeds. So, avoid running it when it is safe to do so.

Drive Less

For people who love to drive, this will likely be the least appealing option. Still, nothing is as effective as simply driving less when trying to save on gas costs. Combining errands, skipping unnecessary trips, taking public transit, and walking to your destination are all ways you can drive less and save more.