You can try to shop around in your local area for the cheapest gas that you can find but you shouldn't go too far out of your way to try and get that best price unless you're already traveling in that direction anyway. Once you start driving around looking for the gas pump that can beat the one in your neighborhood you start to increase the amount of money that you spend on your driving expenses.
Since your goal is to save money you would be defeating the purpose by driving around for too long. Studies done by the AAA indicate that it will cost you approximately 51.7 cents per mile to drive your car this year. Keep in mind that the IRS will only allow a deduction of 36 cents per mile so driving too far to get the cheapest gas isn't always cost efficient. While you are driving to a location that you would normally be going anyway you can of course keep your eyes open for the cheapest gas.
4. Multitask your shopping expeditions
If you know of a certain gas station that consistently sells lower priced gas and it's out of your way you might want to consider making a weekly or biweekly journey to this destination. This way you can take a day to get gas, buy your groceries, and take a walk in the park within a different area of the city where you live. In effect, what you are doing is multitasking and saving money on your fuel costs at the same time.
5. Paying for your gas the smart way
One of the ways that you can save money at the gas pump is by using a gasoline credit card. When you have a gas card you'll be able to get 5 or 10 percent rebate back on the purchase of your gas.
This can amount to as much as $75 to $300 each year. If you have multiple drivers in your family you'll want to make sure that every car driving person carries a gasoline credit card with them so that you can take advantage of multiple gas sales. Many gasoline companies are joining up with other retailers to give you numerous savings at the gas pump. You'll be able to not only save on your gas purchase, but you'll be able to earn points towards your next purchase with participating retailers.
6. Buy your gas in the morning or evening
Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures. Gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density. This means that if you fill up your gas tank in the cooler morning temperatures, or in the colder evening hours, that you'll be getting better gas price economy. Try to fill up your gas tank later in the evening to avoid the rush of day hours.
7. Use the Internet
Using the Internet to find the lowest gas prices is a great way to have all
the information that you need before getting into your car to fuel up.
There are several sites on the Internet that will help you find the
cheapest gas in your area. One of these sites is GasBuddy. GasBuddy has all the information for
both the United States and Canada to help you find the lowest gas price on the
day that you are filling up your gas tank.
GasBuddy has over 170 websites that it uses to get you the recent best prices.
The price of gas is always changing so having the latest information is
going to save you money over a period of time.
There are times that the price of gas will vary by up to 20 percent within
a short radius so it's important to you to stay current with the lowest price of gas.
The information provided by GasBuddy is quite comprehensive. For
example, after indicating that you live in the Washington state area you are
directed to sites for Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane.
Choosing Seattle gives you the following information: (1) lowest price in
the last 48 hours, (2) gas station name and address, and (3) time the last price
was posted. When you use GasBuddy you'll be able to save that much more each
time you buy gas for your vehicle.
www·GasBuddy·com/