Traveling for Memorial Day? Save on Gas With These 15 Tips

CNET

13-05-2025

You can't control gas prices but you can control how much you spend to fuel up.
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Memorial Day weekend is a popular time to travel and this year is expected to see record crowds, according to AAA. That increased demand can bring increased prices.
The national average for gas prices might be down from last year at this time but certain areas of the US, like California, are seeing a steep price hike at the pump right now. If you're among the 87% of travelers taking a road trip, higher fuel costs can put a real strain on your holiday budget.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save on Memorial Day travel. Here are 15 smart hacks to save at the pump -- this holiday weekend and all year-round.
Read more: Memorial Day Sales 2025: What to Expect and Where to Save Right Now
⛽ Compare prices
Prices vary from gas station to gas station so it pays to look at several options. Use apps like GasBuddy and Gas Guru to compare prices at nearby stations and go for the cheapest one.
💵 Pay with cash
Many gas stations charge a processing fee -- typically five to 10 cents per gallon -- if you pay with a credit or debit card. Paying with cash is an easy way to avoid this added cost.
🗓️ Fill up early in the week
Gas prices tend to change from day to day. In most states, the cheapest day to buy gas is earlier in the week -- from Sunday to Tuesday -- according to data from GasBuddy.
🗺️ Map out fuel-efficient routes
Fuel efficiency varies depending on traffic, the simplicity of the route and road conditions. Choosing the most fuel-efficient route can reduce how much gas you use over time. Google Maps has a feature that evaluates fuel efficiency so you can choose the route that consumes the least gas.
🤑 Sign up for a fuel rewards program
Many grocery stores offer fuel rewards programs. For example, Kroger pays 1 point for every dollar spent at its stores. You can redeem 100 points for 10 cents off per gallon at Kroger/Fred Meyer gas stations. Other major grocery stores with fuel rewards programs include Piggly Wiggly, Safeway and Stop & Shop.
💳 Join a membership club
Many membership clubs -- including BJ's, Costco and Sam's Club -- have their own fuel stations with discounted prices. You usually pay a membership fee to join the club and use their stations, but the savings could be worth it.
✋ Don't drive aggressively
Learning to drive differently can boost your highway gas mileage by 15% to 30% and your city mileage by 10% to 40%, according to the US Department of Energy. Stay safer and reduce your gas consumption by:
Accelerating slowly
Avoiding idling
Braking gently
Leaving plenty of space between vehicles
Maintaining a steady speed
Shifting gears strategically
Using cruise control for longer trips
🫰 Skip premium gas
Premium gas can cost more than 50 cents more per gallon than regular gas. If your car is designed to run on regular gas, it won't perform any better on premium so the splurge isn't worth it.
However, if your car is designed for premium gas, paying extra makes sense. Regular gas could damage the engine and lead to higher vehicle maintenance costs.
⚖️ Lighten your load
Every extra 100 pounds you carry or tow can boost your gas costs by up to 3 cents per gallon, according to the DOE. So remove extra items from your vehicle and unhitch your trailer when you're not using it.
🔧 Keep up with regular maintenance
Your car will get its best gas mileage if you take care of it. Change your oil regularly -- using the manufacturer's recommended motor oil -- and replace the air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles to help your car run more efficiently and cut back on gas costs.
📉 Check your tire pressure
Underinflated tires can cause drag as you drive so your car needs to work harder. Keeping your tires properly inflated can increase fuel efficiency by up to 3.3%, according to the DOE.
❄️ Cool your car smartly
Using your car's air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by more than 25%, according to the DOE. That said, rolling down your windows creates wind resistance, which can also reduce fuel efficiency. If you're choosing between using AC and rolling down your windows, the best option depends on how fast you're driving.
When driving under 55 mph, opening your windows is the best option for gas savings. If you're driving 55 mph and over, roll up your windows and turn on the AC.
🎁 Buy discounted gift cards
You can purchase discounted gift cards on sites like CardCash and Gift Card Granny. Look for gift cards to your gas station of choice as well as other local stations.
🛒 Combine errands
Run errands efficiently. Instead of taking multiple trips, hit several stops in one trip. Choosing the right timing for errands also helps. If you get stuck in rush-hour traffic, you'll sit in the car longer and use more gas.
Find other ways to get around
There are plenty of ways to get from point A to point B besides hopping in your car. If you're going somewhere nearby, try walking, biking or even investing in a moped. For further destinations, consider public transportation or carpooling with co-workers (when you're back at work post-holiday).