Gas prices have hit astronomical highs in the last few weeks. Specialized apps can help drivers find the best local deals and maximize savings on gas. Many national gas station chains offer loyalty incentives that also amount to major savings.
Using the right apps and tools can help you track down the lowest gas prices near your location and save big bucks over time. Here are the best gas apps to save money on fuel costs, along with tips on how they work and how to maximize their rewards.
GasBuddy can help you save cents per gallon on gas
GasBuddy is a crowdsourced gas app that reports real-time gas station prices provided by users. It's free to download and you don't need an account to use it. If you do create a Pay with GasBuddy account through the app, "you can save up to 33 cents a gallon
when you activate deal alerts," according to NerdWallet.
Users need to link a checking account to the app to use the Pay with GasBuddy account and earn savings. There's also a Premium subscription version that costs $9.99 a month and offers greater savings for frequent users.
Gas Guru helps you find the cheapest, closest gas stations
The price difference between different gas stations may not seem significant, but even savings of a few cents per gallon can amount to dollars if your vehicle has a large enough gas tank. Multiply the dollars you've saved choosing a more affordable station by the times you need to refill a month, and you could even cover small monthly expenses with the savings.
Gas Guru is an app that uses a color coded system to help drivers spot the best gas price deals. Drivers can also filter results by distance, fuel grade, and amenities.
Gas Guru is an informational directory and doesn't offer a paid tier like GasBuddy. U.S. News & World Report calls it one of the best gas apps that will save you money at the pump.
Upside gets you cash back on gas and more
Upside is an app that offers users real-time cash back on several daily purchases including food and gas. It generates an interactive map that displays discount offers from participating gas stations. Savings can range from 10 cents to 25 cents back per gallon.
Drivers need to link a credit or debit card to reap the benefits and either submit photos of receipts or check in at gas stations through the app to get cash rewards. These rewards can be sent directly to your bank account or a digital wallet like PayPal.
You can also redeem cash rewards for gift cards.
How to save money on fuel costs in 2026
Basic maintenance may not be able to save you big bucks on gas, but there are a few things every driver can do to make sure their vehicle is as efficient as possible.
Maintaining the correct tire pressure recommended for your vehicle can help reduce rolling resistance. Gentle acceleration and maintaining a steady speed while driving can also help conserve fuel.
Every cent counts for some drivers as gas prices have hit historic highs due to the Iran War and the Strait of Hormuz closure. Using a combination of the right apps and best practices could result in major fuel cost savings in the long run.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The best gas price savings and rewards apps for 2026
