Find the Best Gas Prices
Finding the best gas prices doesn't mean you have to drive all over town until you spot the least expensive price per gallon or liter. There are many different things you can do to ensure you are getting the best price for gas before arriving at the pump. Learn how to find the best gas prices by following these steps.
Steps
- Take a mental note daily of the gas prices as you drive throughout your local area. Stop and fill up at the place with the lowest gas price you saw. When traveling long distances, pay attention to the gas prices in various areas so you can have an idea of where to fill up on the way back home.
- Call and talk to your friends who drive past other fuel stations in the area. Ask them if they notice a price lower than what you know to be the best price, and visit that location.
- Fill up in the morning or late at night since gas will condense in the tank with the cooler temperatures. This allows you to get more gas in the tank than if you fill up during the hottest part of the day when the heat expands the gas and causes it to take up more room in the tank. Gas is sold by volume, so you can get more for your money this way.
- Pay attention to local news and radio reports to learn about any gas or fuel promotions in your area. Even when prices are on the rise, some companies will reduce the price to make up for the lost money with volume sales.
- Use the Internet to locate the best gas prices in your area. There are many websites that list the current gas prices at various stations all over the world.
- Fill up the tank before you hit empty. This gives you a little freedom as to what price you pay. When you see a good price, top off the tank. When you're on the last few miles or kilometers before the tank is dry, you may have to go to the nearest station regardless of price.
Tips
- If you will be in a different part of town, check prices there. If you have to get gas before you can get across town and know it is cheaper at the other town, pump just a small amount to get you to your location, then fill the tank where the gas is cheaper.
- Avoid filling up near a highway or the airport. Prices will be higher in these locations as owners know people who need fuel don't have a choice about how much to pay. Stations near airports are higher priced because people may forget to fill up their rental cars before returning them.
Warnings
- Choose the lowest gas price closest to you. Even though it may not be the best gas price for your area, if you have to drive all the way across town to save a few cents per gallon or liter, you're not really saving anything because the drive out there will burn additional gas. The only exception to this rule is if you have to go to that area of town regardless of what the gas prices are.
Things You'll Need
- Phone
- Computer with Internet access
- TV or radio
