With fuel costs swinging down one week and spiking the next, you may still be feeling the sting at the pump. But there are easy ways to lower what you pay for gas while doing something most of us already do weekly: grocery shopping (might as well get a little back for paying that much for milk, right?).
By adjusting where and how you shop for groceries, you don’t have to pay full price for gas — and sometimes you can get it practically free (well, you’ll still be on the hook for taxes).
No matter which part of the country you live in, here’s how to save at the pump by buying groceries.
Grocery Chains That Offer Fuel Rewards
Grocery retailers across the U.S. run fuel rewards programs. Find the options available in your area.
National Chains
These nationwide grocers offer fuel savings programs. Is one near you?
1. Safeway
Safeway stores provide fuel savings via the Safeway for U program. For every $100 in grocery purchases you earn $0.10 off per gallon.
You can combine rewards up to $0.20 off per gallon, though redemptions are limited to 20 gallons at a time. At the moment, 288 fuel stations participate. Sign up for Safeway for U and monitor your rewards with the mobile app.
Other perks include grocery discounts, a monthly free item and a birthday reward.
2. Kroger
In Kroger’s fuel rewards, you collect 1 point for every $1 spent in-store, with no cap on how many points you can accumulate each month.
At Kroger fuel centers you can redeem up to 1,000 points for $1 off per gallon in 100-point increments for up to 35 gallons. At participating Shell locations you can also redeem points toward discounts up to 1,000 points for $1 off per gallon.
Earn bonus points on select gift card purchases (2 fuel points per $1) and certain prescriptions (25 fuel points for non-federally funded scripts and 1 point per $1 out of pocket for federally funded scripts). A 90-day prescription can net you 75 fuel points.
3. Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop awards $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 you spend.
You can stack savings up to $1.50 off per gallon. Scan your Stop & Shop card at participating Shell or Stop & Shop stations to redeem. Note: these points expire quickly — after 30 days — so time your redemptions.
4. Albertsons
At Albertsons you get 1 point for each $1 spent on groceries, 1 point per $1 at the pharmacy and 2 points per $1 spent on gift cards. When you reach 100 points, you earn $0.10 off per gallon for up to 25 gallons.
Redeem points at Albertsons Express stations. Rewards expire at the end of the month following the one in which you earned them — so June rewards would expire at the end of July.
Track your points and access extra store deals through the Albertsons app.
Bonus: In Southern California you can often use these rewards for groceries at affiliated stores like Vons.
5. Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly stores are found in about 20 states, primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. With a free Piggly Wiggly rewards card, you can get $0.01 off per gallon for up to 15 gallons at participating fuel stations.
Not all items earn Pig Points, so watch for the Pig Points shelf tags as you shop.
Southeast
These grocers with gas rewards are located from Florida up through the Carolinas.
6. Ingles
With stores in Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas, Ingles has a straightforward fuel rewards setup using the free Ingles Advantage Card.
Each $1 spent earns 1 fuel point, though during bonus events $1 can be worth 2x–4x points. Every 100 points gives you $0.05 off per gallon at Ingles Gas Express. Subscribe to AdvantageMail to learn about extra rewards events.
7. Lowes Foods
No, not the hardware chain. Lowes Foods operates more than 70 stores across the Carolinas and Virginia and has a simple fuel rewards plan: for every $100 you spend in-store you earn $0.05 off per gallon at Lowes Foods gas locations and participating Speedway stations nationwide.
Be sure to link your Lowes Food Gas Rewards with Speedy Rewards before redeeming at the pump.
8. Harris Teeter
Across Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the Carolinas, Harris Teeter customers earn 1 fuel point per $1 in-store, 2 points per $1 on eligible gift cards and 50 points per non-federally funded prescription.
Every 100 fuel points equals $0.10 off per gallon for up to 35 gallons, with a 1,000-point redemption cap per transaction, valid at Harris Teeter Fuel Centers and participating BP and Amoco locations.
Harris Teeter often runs limited-time promotions such as double points on greeting cards, so watch for those and plan purchases to optimize rewards.
9. Food City
In Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, Food City Fuel Bucks gives $0.15 off per gallon for up to 20 gallons for every $150 spent. Buying $50 gift cards can double the points, and qualifying prescriptions can add bonus Fuel Bucks.
You can redeem $0.15 off per gallon once per day, but on Wednesdays you can get $0.30 off. Bonus: 300 Fuel Bucks can be exchanged for 5% off groceries (up to $100).
10. Publix
While Publix doesn’t maintain a continuous fuel rewards program, it frequently features gas promotions in its Weekly Ad. A recent offer included $10 off the purchase of a $50 gas card when you spent $50 or more on groceries.
Northeast
Northeast residents — are you taking advantage of these fuel reward programs?
11. Giant Eagle
Serving Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland, Giant Eagle’s fuelperks+ awards $0.10 off per gallon for every $50 spent at Giant Eagle, GetGo, Market District or Giant Eagle Express.
Use these rewards at GetGo stations up to 30 gallons with your Giant Eagle Advantage card. AdvantagePAY can stack fuelperks+ for even more pump savings.
12. Price Chopper
Found across New England, New York and Pennsylvania, Price Chopper gives $0.05 off per gallon for every $100 spent in-store.
Stack discounts and redeem them on up to 20 gallons at participating Sunoco stations using your Price Chopper AdvantEdge card. Watch for bonus point events to boost savings.
13. Shaw’s
Throughout New England, Shaw’s offers $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 spent plus doubled points on gift card purchases.
Redeem at participating Exxon or Mobil locations by registering for the Shaw’s for U rewards plan. New signups can get $5 off a purchase of $25 or more.
14. Tops
Tops stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont give 1 point per $1 spent through the GasPoints program. Earn 100 points to net $0.10 off per gallon.
Redeeming coupons can also earn you 10 points each, and select items throughout the store add extra points. Fuel discounts are valid for up to 20 gallons at participating Tops gas stations when you scan your Tops BonusPlus card.
15. Market 32
Operated by Price Chopper, Market 32 serves New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. You’ll get $0.05 off per gallon for every $100 in grocery purchases.
Redeem at participating Sunoco locations by scanning your AdvantEdge card.
Midwest
From Ohio to the Dakotas, these stores can help you keep fuel spending down.
16. Shop N’ Save
In Missouri and Illinois, Shop N’ Save gives $0.10 off per gallon for every $50 spent — a more generous rate than many competitors.
Redeem at participating Sunoco stations by scanning your Pump Perks card.
17. Pay Less Super Markets
Part of the Kroger family, Pay Less Super Markets in Indiana award 1 fuel point per $1. Earn 100 points to get $0.10 off per gallon.
You can stack for up to $1 off per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers and $0.10 off per gallon at participating Shell stations. Some prescriptions and gift card purchases yield bonus points.
Swipe your Shopper’s card at the pump to receive the discount.
18. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee’s fuel perks vary by week and apply to specific groceries. Hy-Vee locations are in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
There isn’t a fixed reward-per-dollar ratio — check the weekly ad or your local store to see which items carry fuel perks.
Use points at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, Casey’s, Shell and participating Kwik Trip stations by swiping your Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks card.
19. Cub Foods
In Minnesota and Illinois, Cub Foods offers fuel discounts at participating Holiday stations via its My Cub Rewards program.
Earn $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 spent. That means you could accumulate up to $1.50 off per gallon — requiring $1,500 in spending — and redeem on 20 gallons, saving up to $30 for a large tank.
West
The final region — and more fuel rewards.
20. QFC
At QFC, you receive $0.10 off per gallon for every $100 you spend. QFC stores are in Washington state and the greater Portland, Oregon area.
Use rewards at QFC fuel centers or participating Shell stations by swiping your Advantage card. Stack 10-cent discounts up to $1 off per gallon.
21. Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer operates in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. It gives 1 point per $1 spent and 100 points equals $0.10 off per gallon.
Buy gift cards for double points and fill prescriptions for 25 bonus points. Points can be redeemed for up to 35 gallons at participating Shell or Fred Meyer fuel stations with your Rewards card.
22. Fry’s Food
In Arizona, Fry’s Food offers $0.10 off for every $100 you spend. Redeem Fry’s fuel rewards at Circle K and Shell stations, stacking up to $1 off per gallon with 1,000 points.
Big-Box Retailers With Fuel Benefits
If you belong to big-box chains like Walmart, Sam’s Club or Costco, your membership can reduce what you pay at the pump. Memberships range from about $45 to $100 per year but can deliver meaningful savings for frequent shoppers.
23. Walmart
A Walmart+ membership can save you up to $0.10 per gallon. The service costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year.
Member pricing is available at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart and Murphy stations, and membership also provides access to Sam’s Club fuel centers.
24. Costco
For Costco members, the Costco Anywhere Visa® by Citi earns 4% cash back on eligible gas (up to the first $7,000 per year), then 1% thereafter. Visa determines eligible gas stations, which include Costco centers.
Costco memberships cost roughly $60–$120 per year, and the Citi card has no annual fee. Bonus: the card also yields 3% cash back on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on other purchases.
25. Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club charges one of the lowest annual membership fees (about $50) and members can apply for a Sam’s Club Mastercard with no annual fee that rewards 5% cash back on gas up to $6,000 per year wherever Mastercard is accepted, then 1% after that.
The card also provides 3% back on dining and takeout and 1% back on Sam’s Club purchases.
Tips for Getting the Most From Fuel Rewards
Now that you know which stores offer gas perks — how do you maximize those savings?
Below are strategies to help you squeeze more value from grocery store fuel rewards programs.
Buy Gift Cards to Earn Extra Points
Buying gift cards is an easy method to accelerate your fuel rewards; retailers like Albertsons and Fred Meyer award double points on gift card purchases.
Use cards for stores or restaurants you already frequent instead of giving them away. Even better, buy gas gift cards and use them when filling up at the discounted rate.
Watch for holiday gift card promotions when stores may offer two to four times the usual fuel rewards.
Watch Expiration Dates
Fuel rewards eventually expire. Stop & Shop points last just 30 days, while many other chains allow 60–90 days.
Check the terms of your program and use your points before they lapse.
Redeem the Full Discount
A downside of many fuel rewards is that you can only redeem once per transaction even if your tank holds fewer gallons than the allowed maximum.
Fill up when your tank is near empty to make the most of your discount. If your vehicle’s tank is small, consider bringing an approved gas can to use the remainder — if the rewards program permits that.
Shop on Days With Bonus Rewards
You now have a reason to delay a grocery trip until a bonus day. Kroger often runs double-points weekends, and other stores like Food City and Ingles may offer extra points on certain weekdays. Plan your shopping schedule around these offers to maximize savings.
Read the Fine Print
Rewards programs always come with conditions. Some allow only one redemption per day, most cap the number of gallons you can claim, and expiration windows vary widely. Review the FAQ or terms on the retailer’s website so you understand the rules and any extra perks.
Other Ways to Save on Gas
Some gas chains also run their own rewards programs, typically with a free app to track points, use in-store deals and even pay from your phone.
For more options on saving at the pump, check out resources on fuel rewards programs and lists of top gas station rewards so you can save every time you fill up.
