How to Use GasBuddy to Find the Cheapest Gas Prices
As gas prices continue to soar upward, many Americans are asking how they can find the cheapest — or most affordable — fuel in their area.
Well, we’ve got the answer for you.
And it isn’t a list of different apps to try. It’s a single excellent app: GasBuddy.
GasBuddy is available for both iOS and Android and allows drivers to find the least expensive gas prices and fill up without paying an arm or a leg (or both).
Our guide will walk you through how to use the GasBuddy app, so you can discover the cheapest gas prices in your area, save money at the pump and potentially win free gas.
Using a gas rewards program can chip away at how much you pay for gas too.
GasBuddy
- Find the cheapest gas prices
- Extra savings with GasBuddy card
- Report gas prices to vie for free gas every day
What Is GasBuddy?
GasBuddy is a mobile app that enables you to keep an eye on what different gas stations in your area are charging for fuel.
Using a driver-reported system, GasBuddy users can contribute their own reports on gas prices, find the best gas prices and save money themselves.
In exchange for reporting gas prices to the community, you can sign up for a shot at winning $100 in free gas every day.
GasBuddy also weaves in features to help you save even more, including signing up for a free GasBuddy card that can save you up to 25 cents per gallon.
The new Drives feature allows drivers to get a better sense of their fuel efficiency, makes suggestions to improve fuel efficiency and even save on car insurance.
High gas prices have everyone looking to save a buck on fuel. Check out our 20 best tips to help you save on gas and boost fuel efficiency.
How Do I Use GasBuddy?
If you’re thinking that GasBuddy sounds like the perfect app to help you save at the pump, you’re right!
Our guide walks you through using the GasBuddy app and your in-app options to save money.
How to Find Cheap Gas Near You
If you haven’t already, download the GasBuddy app. It’s free and available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android.
Once downloaded, we recommend creating an account as the savings are completely worth it. You can use GasBuddy to search for gas and report prices without an account though.
Once you sign up, tap the Find Gas tab at the bottom of your screen. You’ll see a list of the gas stations closest to you and the latest reported prices at each location.
If you prefer to view a map view, simply tap the map button in the top right-corner.
Using the controls at the top, you can sort the results by Price, Distance, Price & Distance, Deal & Distance or Deal Price. You can also adjust the type of fuel you are on the hunt for, such as Regular, Midgrade, Premium, Diesel, UNL88 or E85.
As you scroll through, you may notice that some stations don’t list prices or they may say Report Price. In these cases, the gas prices haven’t been reported, but you can help out the GasBuddy community by reporting the prices yourself.
In fact, this is a great time to talk about how you could win free gas by reporting prices.
Are you done with gas entirely? Maybe it’s time to go electric with an affordable EV. Check out our roundup of the most affordable electric cars.
Report Prices and Win Free Gas
GasBuddy operates by having its everyday users — that’s you! — report gas prices as they see them, but you won’t be left empty handed for your good deed.
You’ll earn points if you report gas prices. These points can then be used to enter daily drawings for $100 in free gas.
To report, tap the Find Gas tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap Report Price next to any listed gas stations that are missing prices.
You can enter prices for both cash and credit payments, as well as multiple fuel types at the station.
If a price has already been reported but it is outdated, you can click on the existing gas prices and report an update.
You can follow the same process to confirm existing prices and let other users know the prices they see are still in effect.
With each report, you earn points. Once you have enough points, you can tap the Win tab at the bottom of the screen to enter the daily free gas drawing. Each entry is 1,000 points and you can enter — and win — more than once.
To earn points faster, tap the Challenges button at the top of the screen to see one-time challenges you can compete for additional points.
Save With the GasBuddy Card
GasBuddy also offers a savings card that could knock off up to 25 cents per gallon at your next fill up.
Pay with GasBuddy works like a debit card by pulling the payment directly from your bank account via a linked debit card. The card is free and — best of all — no credit score or credit check is required.
To see savings, activate exclusive deals within the app first, then swipe your GasBuddy card to pay at the pump. Pay with GasBuddy is accepted at 95% of stations in the United States, except for Exxon Mobil, BJs, Costco, Sam’s Club, and H-E-B, along with certain Walmart and Arco stations.
To get started, launch the GasBuddy app, then click on the Savings tab at the bottom. Tap on the Get The Free Card button to apply and receive your card in the mail.
Increase Fuel Efficiency With GasBuddy
Another great feature that GasBuddy offers is known as Drives.
With the Drives program, GasBuddy tracks your driving habits to help you maximize fuel efficiency. You’ll receive a score for each trip, showing what impacted your fuel efficiency — such as hard braking and fast accelerating — and how to improve.
You can also export your driving data for taxes and mileage reimbursement programs, a great feature for those who travel for work.
Drivers who obtain a high score can even become eligible for savings on car insurance if they have coverage through Root Insurance.
Using the Drives feature requires allowing the app to always track your location. This can be a security concern for some. Only use Drives if you’re comfortable sharing your location with GasBuddy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Gas prices tend to be lowest on Monday, according to a 2021 study by GasBuddy. Another good day to fill up? Friday. The most expensive days are Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The best way to find the cheapest gas, though, is to monitor gas prices yourself through the GasBuddy app.
In the U.S., the southeastern states tend to have the cheapest gas. But driving to Oklahoma just to save a few cents won’t help your bottom line.
Try the GasBuddy app instead to find the cheapest gas prices near you, so you can save some change at the pump.
GasBuddy does more than help you find the cheapest gas in your area. If you sign up for the Pay with GasBuddy card, you can save up to 25 cents per gallon.
Pay with GasBuddy is free and works through a linked debit card.
Yes! There are no fees or charges for using the GasBuddy app. In fact, you can be entered in drawings to earn free gas for reporting gas prices in your area. The Pay with GasBuddy card is also free to use and offers additional savings.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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