Saving a few dollars per week just on gas can quickly add up very quickly. But thanks to fuel finder apps, truckers and consumers can locate cheap gas!
Some of these apps track your gas expenses, mileage, and other data points to offer insight into how you can save more money at the pump. Consumers and truckers have also used these apps to save on gas bills.
Keep reading to learn more about the best fuel finder apps out there so you don’t spend more on gas or diesel than you have to.
Quicklook: 7 best fuel finder apps
- Best for cash back: Upside
- Best for navigation: Waze
- Best for gas price history: Gas Guru
- Best for road trips: AAA TripTik Planner
- Best for GEICO customers: GEICO Mobile
- Best for longevity: GasBuddy
- Best for GPS voice assistance: MapQuest
What is a fuel finder app?
A fuel finder app helps drivers locate gas stations and see gas prices. These apps help you save on gas. Users can filter gas stations based on location, fuel type, price, and various other factors. Saving a few dollars at the pump each week can quickly add up, so using a fuel finder app on a consistent basis is key.
How does a fuel finder app work?
Once you enter a ZIP code into a fuel finder app, the interface populates with nearby gas stations and price points. Some fuel finder apps let you find gas stations along a route. You can use this feature for road trips to find gas stations in areas you don’t know as well.
Best fuel finder apps
Drivers have many choices for fuel finder apps. These seven apps are among the most useful.
Upside
Upside is one of the best fuel finder apps for drivers because it provides real-time price comparisons, helping users locate the cheapest gas nearby with ease. Its user-friendly interface ensures a seamless experience, allowing drivers to save both time and money on their fuel purchases. Additionally, Upside offers a cash back program that rewards users for filling up at participating gas stations, turning every fuel stop into an opportunity to earn.
Best for: Cash back
Special features:
- Also offers cash back offers from convenience stores, groceries, and restaurants
- Easy to use with transparent terms
- Highly reviewed in both Apple and Google app stores
- By inviting friends to use the app, you’ll earn additional cash back each time they make a purchase
Benefits:
- Up to $0.25 cash back on each gallon of fuel at participating gas stations
- Shows gas stations in the area as you travel
- Includes offers at trucks stops and gas stations like Phillips 66, Shell, Valero, Circle K, Marathon, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, TA, 7-Eleven, Love’s, BP, Casey’s, and Sunoco, among others
- Can be stacked with credit card point programs to squeeze even more value out of each purchase
Disadvantages: Offers frequently change, so you should check the app daily to stay up-to-date on the best deals available.
Pricing: Free
Waze
Waze is more than just a crowdsourcing app. While it does help you avoid traffic and hazards on the road, Waze also lets you filter gas stations by brand and price. You can find the most affordable gas stations in your area and the most efficient route on the road… All with the same app!
Best for: Navigation
Special features:
- Filter gas stations by price and brand
- Reveals how many minutes you are from the gas station
- Waze-only deals
Benefits:
- Set preferred gas stations
- Shows gas stations in the area as you travel
- Contactless card payments
Disadvantages:
- Poor map layout that gets overwhelming
- Could be distracting due to many pings and notifications
- Might drain your device’s battery quickly
Pricing: Free
Gas Guru
Gas Guru reveals real-time gas prices, preventing surprises at the pump. The app also shows what gas stations charged the day before. Comparing yesterday’s price to today’s price gives you a sense of the station’s price direction. Gas Guru compiles this data so you can determine if the station is likely to raise prices or keep them steady.
Best for: Gas price history
Special features:
- Find gas stations with specific features, such as 24/7 service
- You don’t have to create an account on the app
- View companies located near the gas station of your choice
Benefits:
- Compare gas station prices on any commute or road trip
- Save your favorite gas stations and locations for easy reference
- Ability to check yesterday’s gas prices compared to today’s
Disadvantages:
- Potential for inaccurate pricing
- Infrequent price updates
- Can only filter gas stations by gas type
Pricing: Free
AAA TripTik Planner
AAA has TripTik Planner as one of its app’s features. TripTik Planner lets you plan a road trip with up to 20 stops. You can map out gas stations along the route and compare prices to find the best deal.
Best for: Road trips
Special features:
- Over 85,000 gas stations on the app
- Updated gas prices
- Book hotels and car rentals
Benefits:
- Maps out the most efficient route for traveling and getting gas
- Find AAA approved businesses on the route
- Discounts for AAA members
Disadvantages:
- Some member exclusive perks
- AAA membership fees vary
Pricing: Free with AAA member benefits
GEICO Mobile
GEICO has provided insurance policies for over 75 years. The company also has a mobile app that can help you locate affordable gas options.
Best for: GEICO customers
Special features:
- Real-time gas price updates
- See how far gas stations are from your current location
- Mark Your Car feature prevents you from losing your vehicle
Benefits:
- Online website for finding gas prices if you do not want to use the app
- Find nearby local restaurants and other businesses
- Additional perks for GEICO customers
Disadvantages:
- Some people have difficulty reaching a representative
- Potential for roadside assistance to adversely affect your insurance premiums
Pricing: Free
GasBuddy
GasBuddy has been providing drivers with gas savings since 2000. After you provide a ZIP code, GasBuddy will populate your mobile screen with several nearby gas stations. Its crowdsourced data on gas prices isn’t the most accurate, but it’s a popular app due to its longevity.
Best for: Longevity
Special features:
- Trip cost calculator
- Tracks how much fuel you use
- Natural disaster updates that reflect gas station closures
Benefits:
- Find local gas stations and crowdsourced prices
- GasBuddy debit card saves up to $0.25 per gallon
- Premium membership guarantees $0.20 per gallon
- Savings on up to 50 gallons per month
Disadvantages:
- Crowdsourced gas prices aren’t always correct
- Only available for Android users
- Privacy concerns since GasBuddy sells user information to advertisers
Pricing:
- Free version
- Premium membership for $9.99 per month
MapQuest
MapQuest helps you navigate commutes and find affordable gas stations. Its filtering features allow you to find gas stations based on fuel grade and location.
Best for: GPS voice assistance
Special features:
- Create and save routes
- GPS navigation with voice assistance
- Real-time traffic updates
Benefits:
- View local weather from the app
- Save addresses
- Automatic updates on gas prices
Disadvantages:
- Limited database compared to other options
- Some glitches for walk directions
- Does not include public transit directions
Pricing: Free
What to consider with fuel finder apps
Saving money on gas has become more important with rising gas prices and interest rates. Fuel finder apps can help, but you will have to decide which app is right for you. Consider these factors when browsing fuel finder apps.
Supported devices
While most fuel finder apps work on any device, some work better on iOS than Android and vice-versa. Make sure you read relevant app store reviews carefully to find out how well specific apps run on your phone or tablet.
Cost of app
Most fuel finder apps are free and offer great features. Some apps have membership fees and offer member exclusive discounts. You should be careful about paying for a fuel finder app. Most free apps offer sufficient features.
Discounts offered
Some apps provide cashback on gas and perks for members. GEICO and AAA have fuel finder apps that offer exclusive discounts and perks to their members.
If you’re not a member, you can still use the apps, but you won’t get the discounts. Some fuel finder apps provide discounts for all of their users.
Additional features
Most fuel finder apps offer the same basic features. You can locate gas stations in your area and save money.
Any additional features can position a fuel finder app more favorably than the competition. Drivers can find apps that let them track gas mileage, costs at the pump, and other insights.
Fuel types offered
Regular gas prices may not accurately reflect your total bill. Some drivers use diesel and other fuels, which will impact gas expenses. Some apps filter gas stations based on fuel types and let you see real-time prices for each type of fuel instead of only regular gas.
Save at the pump with a fuel finder app
As gas prices continue to rise, drivers are looking for even more ways to save on fill-ups. That’s why fuel finder apps are such a helpful tool for truck drivers and passenger vehicle driver alike.
Fuel finder apps help you locate cheaper gas stations and more efficient routes to reach your destinations. Fuel finder apps have been around for decades, but they have become more important as more people grapple with current gas prices.
FAQ
Yes, there are several apps that show you gas prices, including Upside, GasBuddy, and Waze. These apps use your location to display current fuel prices at nearby gas stations.
You can check local gas prices using websites or mobile apps like Upside or AAA’s TripTik. These platforms allow you to enter your location and view current prices at nearby gas stations.
Fuelio and Drivvo are widely considered among the best apps for tracking gas mileage. They allow you to log fuel expenses, calculate fuel economy, and provide detailed reports on your vehicle’s performance.
