Most drivers spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on gasoline every year. With gas prices often fluctuating, it makes good financial sense to seek out the cheapest price for gasoline every time you fill up your tank.
Web Sites That Compare Gasoline Prices
Plenty of Web sites offer gasoline price comparisons, so this should be the first place to look. Popular gasoline price comparison Web sites include GasBuddy, GasPriceWatch, and Mapquest Gas Prices. These Web sites post prices submitted by other users and allow you to search for the cheapest gasoline prices nearest where you live or work.
A gasoline price comparison Web site usually provides accurate prices for highly populated areas where residents frequently post updates to the Web site, but it might be less accurate if you are searching for gas stations in a rural area or small town.
Gasoline Price Comparison Widgets and Applications
For frequent price checkers, a widget for your computer or application for your data phone might be a better option. Mac users can install Gas 3.0, while anyone can use GasWatch or the gas price widget for iGoogle. GasBuddy has a data phone application.
A service such as FuelGo sends text messages to your phone to let you compare gas prices and gives you updates on price changes. You simply text your zip code to the service and wait for the text message response.
If your car is equipped with GPS, your navigation system might also be able to help you find cheap gasoline. For example, Garmin GPS systems often come equipped with the ability to search for gas prices.
Low-Technology Solutions to Find Cheap Gasoline
If you don't have access to a computer, data phone, or GPS system, there are some simple tips that can help you locate the cheapest gasoline prices in a given area. In general, gas stations in low income neighborhoods will have cheaper prices than those in tourist areas. Wholesale clubs and grocery stores usually offer lower prices than other gas stations in the same part of town.
You can also save money on gasoline by using credit cards that offer discounts on gasoline purchases. Some cards offer up to a five percent discount off the listed price, while others provide cash back for gasoline purchases. Supermarket reward cards also sometimes provide a discount at their affiliated gas station, and some offer additional discounts if you make a large purchase.
