AAA is predicting that “more than 47.7 million Americans will take to the nation’s roadways and skies this Independence Day (July 1–5), as travel volumes are expected to nearly fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. In fact, this will be the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, trailing only 2019. Overall, just 2.5% fewer Americans are expected to travel this year compared to Independence Day in 2019. This represents an increase of nearly 40% compared to last year, when total travel fell to 34.2 million.”

What a difference a year makes, eh?

According to AAA, road trips will continue to dominate this summer and more than 91% of holiday travel will be by car. That means that 43.6 million Americans will drive to their destinations. That’s the highest number on record for Fourth of July and is 5% more than the previous record set in 2019.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that gas prices are at their highest in seven years. I just filled up my tank yesterday and it cost $44 for 10 gallons of Regular. Yikes. That made me do some research on how to save money on gas.

The first thing I suggest is downloading the Gas Buddy app (free on both iOS or Android) or bring up their site and do a search. GasBuddy covers 150,000 gas stations in the US & Canada and lets you check prices at multiple gas stations. You will quickly learn that not all stations are priced the same. In fact, it’s not even close. Just by driving a couple of blocks, you can save some serious cash.

Another way to save money on gas, especially if you’re driving through multiple states, is to find out what the prices are on the other side of state lines. You can save even more money by either filling up before or after crossing, depending on the state. For example, here in California, gas prices are out of control, thanks to high taxes, so if you’re driving to Arizona, it would be wise to fill up there, as prices are $1.50 less per gallon. Insane, right?

I’m a Costco member and I know a lot of people who fill up at their gas stations because it’s usually 20 cents cheaper but every time I go, the lines are out of control so I don’t think waiting is worth the savings.

What are your tips for saving money on gas?

5 Comments On "3 Ways To Save Money on Gas This Summer"
  1. Bruce Robinson|

    duh. Start thinking about not using it.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Very true

  2. Mike Benning|

    If you have a local grocery chain (such as Albertson’s- or Kroger-owned chains) that gives you fuel rewards points with each purchase, you can get as much as a $1.00 discount per gallon of gas when you fill up at affiliated gas stations. Often, purchasing gift cards at the grocery store will yield 2x or more fuel points, so you can amass fuel points quickly.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Great tip! Will add it. Thank YOU

  3. Gary|

    You’re not kidding about the long lines at Costco. When/if possible go when they first open to avoid the huge lines. Also, whenever shopping at a Kroger owned store we always fill out their survey from each sales receipt which takes very little time and you get 10 cents off per gallon for each two you fill out. When adding that to our regular shopping points we get for our purchases it can add up to a significant savings. Finally, take advantage of their double & triple point savings coupons and days.

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