5 Gas Apps to Help You Save Money

Try a gas app to locate low prices, pinch pennies or even stay on top of car maintenance.

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The average price of gas in the U.S. was $3.109 in March 2026, according to AAA — up slightly from $3.097 a year earlier. Drivers on the West Coast, however, are paying far more, with prices nearing $4.67 in some areas. Gas prices are likely to rise in the coming days and months in response to the U.S. strikes on Iran. If you drive a lot, paying more at the pump might be unavoidable for now. To offset costs, it might be worthwhile to try GasBuddy, Upside or another gas savings app. While there’s no guaranteed way to get massive savings on this transportation necessity, there are some apps that can help you save on gas.

To find the best options, we only included apps that received at least 4 stars out of 5 in Apple’s App Store or 3 out of 5 on Google Play, with at least 6,000 reviews. .

To find the best options, we only included apps that received at least 4 stars out of 5 in Apple’s App Store or 3 out of 5 on Google Play, with at least 6,000 reviews. .

To find the best options, we only included apps that received at least 4 stars out of 5 in Apple’s App Store or 3 out of 5 on Google Play, with at least 6,000 reviews.

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GasBuddy

Best for: Checking local gas prices and saving cents per gallon when you pay with the GasBuddy card. Best for: How it works: The crowd-sourced gas app relies on users to report real-time prices at stations all over. And with over 100 million downloads, it’s become a powerful tool for finding the best deals on fuel. Best of all, you can download the app for free and look at local gas prices right away; no account needed. How it works: You could also save money and earn cash back when you set up a Pay with GasBuddy account. GasBuddy will issue you a debit-like card that you’ll need to link up to a checking account. The company says you can save up to 33 cents a gallon when you activate deal alerts in the app and pay with your GasBuddy card at the pump. Cash back is automatically redeemed — in the form of a discount — when you pay with the card. The Premium version of Pay with GasBuddy can net more savings per gallon for $9.99 per month. As with any paid deal service, run the numbers first to make sure what you’d save is more than what you’d pay to subscribe. Apple Store rating: 4.7 Apple Store rating: Google Play rating: 3.2 Google Play rating:

Upside

Best for: Getting cash back on gas purchases without the need for a new payment method. Best for: How it works: Upside is a free app that connects users to deals on gas, groceries and restaurants at participating locations. Use the app to find offers at gas stations near you, then claim the one you want right before you fill up. The literal upside here is that you can buy gas with the credit or debit card you already use, then follow the app’s instructions to earn cash back. How it works: The cash you earn stores up and won’t expire — as long as your account is active. You can redeem your earnings by bank transfer, PayPal or a gift card. Expect to receive your earnings within 24 to 48 hours. Take note: Pulling out smaller dollar amounts (less than $15) can incur a $1 fee. Apple Store rating: 4.8 Apple Store rating: Google Play rating: 4.5 Google Play rating: ? Nerdy Tip Apps like Upside and GasBuddy are ideal for anyone who spends lots of time on the road, especially gig workers who log miles driving people, packages or groceries around.

Checkout 51

Best for: Getting cash back on gas purchases in the form of a check. Best for: How it works: Checkout 51 is another app that pays out cash back on a variety of purchases, including gas. Similar to Upside, you use the app to find and claim offers of up to 25 cents back per gallon at nearby gas stations. How it works: Once claimed, you have four hours to buy the gas with your preferred credit or debit card and 20 hours to upload your receipt to the app. Checkout 51 partners with Upside to provide gas offers at the same list of partnering stations all over the U.S. You’ll need a minimum balance of $20 to cash out, and when you do, Checkout 51 will put a check in the mail — old school, but tried and true. Apple Store rating: 4.0 Apple Store rating: Google Play rating: 4.2 Google Play rating:

AAA Mobile

Best for: Planning road trips and checking fuel prices along the way. Best for: How it works: AAA, or the American Automobile Association, is synonymous with the American road trip: think roadside assistance, hotel discounts and other travel-related perks for paid members. With the mobile app, even guest users can use the services section to quickly check local gas prices and find EV charging stations. How it works: AAA’s popular TripTik travel planner is also available to non-members in the app. If you use your car to explore the country, AAA Mobile might be worth a download. Apple Store rating: 4.8 Apple Store rating: Google Play rating: 4.6 Google Play rating:

Carfax Car Care

Best for: Sticking to recommended service intervals and monitoring true miles per gallon. Best for: How it works: Keeping up with your car’s maintenance is an easy way to save money on gas, and the Carfax Car Care app uses vehicle history records to help you do that. How it works: Sign in or sign up for a free Carfax account to use the app, then add your vehicle(s) by VIN or plate number. From there, a customized dashboard will alert you to services due soon, like an oil change or tire rotation. Click around to see your car’s service history, vehicle-specific maintenance schedules and open recalls. You can also log gas fill-ups so you can monitor true fuel economy over time. Apple Store rating: 4.8 Apple Store rating: Google Play rating: 4.7 Google Play rating:

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Other ways to save at the pump

A gas app can help you save, especially when paired with some of the following methods:

Take advantage of loyalty programs

Most of the major chains also have loyalty programs that can help you save on gas, so if you’re a regular at Royal Farms, Speedway, Exxon or somewhere else, try their apps too. Fuel Forward is available for Phillips 66, Conoco and 76 gas stations.

Consider a gas credit card

A gas credit card is another way to earn rewards at every refuel. They function like a traditional credit card, but they offer rewards or discounts on gas purchases. Some offer a cents-per-gallon discount while others offer cash back or allow you accrue points to redeem. Gas credit cards are typically associated with a specific gas station brand, like Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, or can be general rewards credit cards offered by major banks or credit card companies that offer cash back on gas purchases. Just keep any potential downsides in mind: gas credit cards can come with high annual fees, so paying your balance in full every month is crucial.

Fill up at your wholesale club

Costco and Sam’s club offer discounted gas, so if you shop at one of these retailers remember to top off your tank on the way out. And if you have a Costco or Sam’s Club branded credit card, you can get major savings — sometimes up to 5% cash back until you hit the yearly cap.

Take advantage of grocery store fuel rewards

Many major grocery chains offer fuel rewards programs where you earn points on grocery purchases that go toward gas discounts at specific gas station locations or chains. You might even be able to stack your fuel rewards with savings from other places, like an in-app bonus or fuel rewards program.

Be a mindful driver

Don’t discount simple DIY methods to make a gallon of gas go further, like using eco mode (if your car has that feature), maintaining a steady speed when possible, gently accelerating and avoiding idling.

Consider gas costs when it’s time for a new car

When it’s time to trade in your car for a newer model, a hybrid or electric car might be worth considering. These vehicles will definitely save you at the gas pump, but don’t forget to think about what owning one of these models might cost you when it comes to maintenance, travel convenience and costs of charging at home. Explore more on Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the authors Tommy Tindall is a lead writer and content strategist covering how to make money — and how to keep it. He’s recorded and written about his experience testing popular gig jobs like driving for Uber, delivering with DoorDash and full-service shopping for Instacart. He loves making an extra buck, but laments the hours of awkward silence he endured as an Uber driver (never again). Cool kids might call him a content creator because he makes YouTube videos for the NerdWallet channel and app, but he himself is no longer very cool. Ask him about budgeting apps — he's tried most of them, but still prefers a good ole Google sheet to track spending. Then be sure to smash that “like” and “subscribe” button. Before NerdWallet, Tommy held decidedly more boring jobs at Fannie Mae and Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, he feels super privileged to write for you, the consumer. Published in Lisa Mulka is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. With more than 15 years of writing experience, Lisa most recently authored a book on personal financial literacy and served as lead writer on the FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People program. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, and master’s degrees in written communication and in educational technology. Lisa lives with her husband and two children in Michigan, where she spends her free time teaching the next generation of writers at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. GasBuddy Upside Checkout 51 AAA Mobile Carfax Car Care Other ways to save at the pump Savings Goal Calculator 28 Proven Ways to Save Money 8 Ways to Track Monthly Expenses How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money By Elizabeth Ayoola, Tommy Tindall How to Get Coupons: Rewards Programs, Browser Extensions, Apps and More By Lauren Schwahn, Amanda Barroso Use This Script to Cut Your Cell Phone Bill By Laura McMullen, AI-Assisted NerdWallet Frugal Living Comprehensive Guide: 30+ Ways to Find Serious Savings By Kelsey Sheehy, Hal M. Bundrick, CFP® 13 Ways to Get Free Stuff By Lauren Schwahn, Amanda Barroso, Lisa Mulka Best Grocery List Apps of 2026 By Amanda Barroso 9 Browser Extensions for Easily Finding Coupons By Tommy Tindall, Lisa Mulka