How to pay less for gas: 5 free apps I use to find the lowest fuel prices nearby
With US gas prices up $1 per gallon, these apps reveal real-time station pricing to cut fuel costs.
With gas prices surging over $1 per gallon in the US—reaching averages around $4 and nearly $6 in areas like California—ZDNET's Lance Whitney outlines five free mobile apps that help drivers find the lowest fuel costs. These apps, including GasBuddy and WEX Connect, use location permissions to display nearby gas stations, current prices per gallon, user ratings, and addresses. Users can filter by fuel type (regular, premium, diesel) and sort results by price or distance, then get directions routed through Apple Maps or Google Maps. The goal is to give consumers control over refueling expenses amid broader economic pressures.
GasBuddy offers a free tier for basic price checking and a website for trip cost calculations, while its premium plan ($10/month) provides deeper discounts through a linked GasBuddy credit card. Whitney notes caution around linking financial accounts but emphasizes the utility of the free features. Navigation giants Google Maps and Waze also integrate gas price data, providing built-in alternatives. The article serves as a practical guide for tech-savvy drivers seeking immediate savings without subscription commitments, leveraging crowd-sourced data to navigate volatile fuel markets.
- GasBuddy app shows nearby station prices and ratings, with free membership for basic checks and a $10/month premium plan for rewards
- WEX Connect and other free apps list stations by price/distance and route directions via Apple/Google Maps
- US gas prices have risen over $1/gallon, averaging $4 nationally and nearing $6 in high-cost states like California
Why It Matters
Drivers can immediately cut fuel expenses using real-time, location-based price data from free apps as costs climb.