Gas prices are soaring as Israel and the United States wage war with Iran, and drivers are likely looking for ways to save.

Shipping traffic is disrupted at the critical Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of global oil typically passes through. Gas prices are back above $4 per gallon on the West Coast and are still rising nationwide.

There are more than a dozen strategies you can consider to save at the pump. Even if you normally don't put much thought into fuel rewards or gas-saving strategies, now’s the time to pay attention to how much gas you’re using — and how much you’re paying for it.

Table of contents:

• Pay with cash instead of a card
• Use a gas rewards card
• Join a grocery store rewards program
• Use gas station rewards programs
• Fill up on the cheapest day of the week
• Compare gas prices with an app
• Use gas station rewards programs
• Drive patiently
• Spend less time idling
• Plan out your routes
• Know when to use cruise control
• Reduce AC use
• Remove excess weight
• Check your tires routinely
• Keep your engine in good shape
• Saving on gas FAQs

14 ways to save money on gas

Short of switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle or taking other forms of transportation, here's how you can save money on gas:

1. Pay with cash instead of a card

Next time you’re checking the big gas station billboards for prices, look closely. The lowest price you see is likely a cash-only price.

The difference between cash and credit card prices for gas typically ranges from 5 to 10 cents per gallon, but in some cases, it can be more. Gas stations often charge more for card purchases because they get charged fees by banks and credit card providers for each transaction. When you pay cash, the gas station avoids these fees, and they pass along some of the savings to you with a discount.

Debit purchases, even though they represent real “cash” in your bank account, may also incur a transaction fee. Policies vary by gas station, so check with your local clerk if you’re unsure about using your debit card.

2. Use a gas rewards card

Cash back on gas is one of the best credit card rewards. A handful of no-annual-fee credit cards can provide 5% cash back on gas, including cards like the Citi Custom Cash Card that give extra cash back in a particular spending category, such as fuel. If you regularly shop at Costco or Sam's Club, the two wholesale clubs also have branded credit cards that offer 5% back on gas purchased at their pumps.

Assuming you pay your monthly bill on time, credit card rewards can beat cash discounts. At current prices, you'll likely save more with a credit card that provides at least 3% cash back for gas.

Always check the fine print and do the math to see if the rewards program is truly worth it in your individual case.

3. Join a grocery store rewards program

Check to see if your local grocery store has a gas rewards program.

Several major grocery chains partner with gas stations to offer members a nice discount at the pump, frequently 10 cents or more off per gallon. For example, Kroger, Safeway, Stop & Shop and many other grocers offer gas discounts if you spend a certain amount of money at their store after signing up for the rewards program.

The programs often work similarly: For every $50 to $100 spent at the grocery store, you might earn a fuel discount of 5 cents to 10 cents at a partner gas station.

If you're already spending that much at a grocer that offers a rewards program, this strategy could be a no-brainer. But be mindful of going out of your way to join a rewards program from a faraway or more expensive grocer just to earn a gas discount.

4. Use gas station rewards programs

Major gas brands typically have loyalty programs that offer fuel rewards. For example, BP's earnify rewards app offers 5 cents back per gallon or 10 cents back per gallon with a linked Amazon Prime account. Exxon Mobil Rewards+ gives customers 6 points per gallon (100 points are worth $1 off a future purchase).

The Shell Fuel Rewards program offers savings of 3 cents, 5 cents or 10 cents per gallon, depending on your status level in the program, which is based on spending at Shell stations.

Walmart+ users can use the company's app to secure savings of 10 cents per gallon at 13,000 stations, including Exxon and Mobil locations. The Upside app is another popular choice for cash back at many of the large gas station chains, and it can save drivers as much as 10 cents (or sometimes more) per gallon.

5. Fill up on the cheapest day of the week

It should come as no surprise that gas prices fluctuate day to day, but pricing trends show that one day in particular each week tends to be cheaper than others.

Sunday is generally the cheapest day, according to GasBuddy, a tech company that tracks the real-time prices of gas at more than 150,000 stations across the country. The days to avoid tend to be Wednesday through Friday.

Keep in mind, though, that these recommendations are based on national data trends from prior years, and these days might not always be the cheapest in your area on any given week. Use your best judgment.

6. Compare gas prices with an app

Instead of driving around town to look for the cheapest gas (all while wasting time and burning fuel), you should consider using a gas app to compare prices.

GasBuddy is one of the most popular apps that’s fully dedicated to comparing nearby gas prices. But you can also scope out how much gas stations are charging with some navigation apps as well. For example, with both Google Maps and Waze, you can select a gas station as your destination and filter by price.

7. Drive patiently

Abiding by the speed limit, accelerating slowly and coasting more are not only safer ways to drive, but they’re also extremely cost-efficient driving habits.

So the next time you approach a red light, don’t accelerate and brake hard right at the line. Lay off the gas pedal and coast your way to a halt. When it turns green, resist the urge to gun it.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, these safe-driving methods can boost your fuel efficiency by up to 40%, depending on the speed and how frequently you stop and go. At highway speeds, your fuel efficiency jumps 15% to 30%, whereas in stop-and-go traffic, it ranges widely between 10% to 40%.

Assuming that fuel prices are about $3.50 in your area, that translates to a whopping savings rate of 30 cents to $1.40 per gallon.

8. Spend less time idling

The federal government says idling can drain a quarter-gallon to a half-gallon of gas per hour.

If you’re in an exceptionally long line or waiting for someone to hop in, cutting your engine is the fuel-efficient move to make.

Depending on your engine size and your AC or heater habits, choosing to turn off your engine instead of idling could save you up to 3 cents per minute, according to federal government estimates.

9. Plan out your routes

When it comes to driving, proper planning can really pay off. Consider this strategy a catch-all for figuring out when, where and how you’re going to drive.

Important questions to consider when planning out your trips include:

• Is there a more fuel-efficient route I can take to get to my destination?
• If I have to use my car, can I combine my trips or errands?
• Can I plan to carpool with my coworker(s) on certain days?
• If I have to commute to work, can I drive during non-rush hour times?

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, creating a plan around it and sticking to it can have a major impact on the amount of gas you use.

According to the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, combining trips could double your fuel economy when compared to taking multiple short drives because your car gets better gas mileage when it is warmed up.

Likewise, carpooling can cut your weekly fuel costs in half by saving on gas expenses, all while reducing wear-and-tear on your vehicle, the agencies say.

10. Know when to use cruise control

Cruise control can boost your fuel savings when used properly, but it’s not always a sure-fire gas saver.

If you have long commutes or road trips with relatively uninterrupted miles of driving, cruise control can save gas. You can simply choose the speed that is most fuel efficient for your car while on the highway to reduce the urge to drive at inconsistent speeds that drain your gas quicker.

It should go without saying that cruise control is not an effective method in stop-and-go situations, especially off the freeway.

11. Reduce AC use

Warm weather is a blessing and a curse when it comes to saving on gas.

One one hand, the heat can help your engine warm up quicker, thus improving fuel economy. Adding to that, the federal government also says warm air causes “less aerodynamic drag” than cold air.

On the other hand, using air-conditioning in hot weather can reduce fuel efficiency by 25%, especially during short trips. This is one of the single biggest contributors to gas guzzling.

The double whammy: Driving with your windows down might also waste gas because it increases your vehicle's wind resistance.

So what should you do? Here are some tips from the feds:

• When turning on your car, don’t idle with the air conditioner blasting to cool it off. Most AC systems cool faster while driving.
• Try to use your AC only while driving at highway speeds. When driving slower, roll the windows down.
• Optimize your temperature and fan settings instead of defaulting to the max.

Where you park also makes a difference, as driving with a cold engine can reduce your gas mileage between 15% and 24%, according to fuel-efficiency tests. Parking your car in a garage, as opposed to right on the street during cold weather, can keep your engine temperatures higher.

In hot environments, parking in the shade can reduce how hot your cabin gets and help you resist the urge to blast the AC.

12. Remove excess weight

A rule of thumb: the heavier your vehicle, the more gas it guzzles. That also goes for what you’re storing or hauling. If there are removable items, like sporting equipment or storage bins, you should consider taking them out of the car unless you specifically need them for your trip.

According to the federal government, your fuel efficiency drops 1% for every 100 pounds of excess weight.

This also goes for racks or storage on the top or back of your vehicle. If you leave your canoe or bike strapped to your car, not only is it weighing your vehicle down, the vehicle is also less aerodynamic.

13. Check your tires routinely

While it might seem trivial, tire pressure affects your gas mileage.

The Department of Transportation estimates that for every 1 PSI your tires are underinflated, you lose 0.2% fuel economy. That may not sound like much, but considering tire PSIs can vary widely, you could be losing notable gas mileage if you’re not paying attention to your tires.

Assuming gas prices are about $3.50 in your area, keeping your tires properly inflated could save you between 2 cents and 10 cents per gallon.

14. Keep your engine in good shape

Your gas mileage is heavily dependent on how well your engine is maintained. Driving an older car? It's a good idea to track your mileage and fuel economy with an app like Fuelio. If you aren't getting anywhere near the advertised fuel economy for the car, that could be a sign of a problem under the hood.

Engine troubles affect fuel economy by an average of 4%, according to a report by the consulting firm Energy and Environmental Analysis. If that wasn’t reason enough to keep an eye on your check-engine light, more serious engine problems could affect mileage by as much as 40%.

Gas savings aside, keeping your engine in good shape will also help your vehicle last longer and avoid the need for costly repairs.

One easy maintenance tip: Ensure you’re using the correct grade of motor oil. Check your owner’s manual to see what your manufacturer recommends and start using that version if you’re not already. Based on $3.50 gas prices, this maintenance move alone could save you 4 cents to 7 cents a gallon.

Most cars need only regular unleaded fuel and will not benefit from premium gas, which is typically much more expensive.

How gas prices are determined

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that the retail price of gas consists of four main factors: crude oil costs, oil refining costs, distribution and marketing costs, and taxes.

Of the price you pay at the pump, the EIA says as much as 51% goes toward the wholesale cost of crude oil, and that key factor is what has been fluctuating so much recently.

When it comes to cutting fuel expenses, an important thing to remember is that the best money-saving techniques aren’t just about finding the cheapest gas in town. What’s also important are your driving habits and how well you take care of your vehicle.

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