If you notice money slipping from your bank account every time the odometer ticks another mile, there’s — as they say — an app for that. Actually, there are quite a few.
Drawing inspiration from Mashable’s 2012 roundup of 9 Mobile Apps That Help You Find Cheap Gas, we assembled an updated — and broader — collection to boost your savings potential. These apps do more than point you to the lowest fuel prices; they also assist with route planning, enhance your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and more.
From free options to paid tools across major smartphone platforms, you’re likely to find at least one app that helps you keep more cash in your pocket at the pump.
1. Gas Buddy
Locate nearby stations and view current prices reported by users, who are entered into a weekly $250 gift card drawing for their contributions. Search by ZIP code or city and sort stations by price or proximity. For a free tool, it’s worth checking out, though user-submitted prices can occasionally be inaccurate.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone, Android and Windows phones
2. Gas Guru
Using prices from the Oil Price Information Service, this app offers more consistently reliable data. Its interface is straightforward, and it also shows nearby restaurants, repair shops and other businesses to help you plot efficient stops on longer drives. Gas Guru’s bookmarking lets you save the stations you frequent most.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone and Android
3. Waze
Kept current by its user community, Waze provides more than fuel prices. It also guides you with real-time updates on traffic congestion, accidents and road hazards so you can choose the fastest route. If saving time and stress matters as much as saving money, this app is a smart pick.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone, Android and Windows phones
4. MapQuest Gas Prices
See nearby stations ordered by price and discover how much fuel you’d use to reach them. You can also view attractions located near the gas station you select.
Price: Free
Available for:Web
5. The Coupons App
As the name suggests, this app surfaces a wealth of local discounts, including offers usable at the pump. Find the cheapest local gas, check whether the station has available coupons, and snag deals for nearby restaurants and stores while you’re at it.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone and Android
6. Bankrate Calculator
Great for folks who like to crunch exact numbers, this online calculator helps you determine if it’s truly worthwhile to drive to a cheaper station. Enter your tank capacity and fuel economy plus prices and distances for two stations, and the tool computes your net savings if you travel to station A instead of station B.
Price: Free
Available for:Web
7. AAA TripTik Mobile
Perfect for longer trips, this app displays current gas prices and helps you find attractions and points of interest (including AAA-approved hotels and eateries). It also offers voice-guided directions and lets AAA members access roadside assistance.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone
8. YP Local Search & Gas Prices
From the Yellow Pages, this app is useful for travelers and locals alike. Connect with neighborhood businesses by finding the cheapest gas, viewing menus and even reserving a table at nearby restaurants.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone and Android
9. Route4Me
Plan the most fuel-efficient path with this app, which helps design routes for maximum gas savings. It claims its routing is 25–35% more optimized than competing planners.
Price: Free
Available for:iPhone and Android
10. SmartFuel
Locate stations along your route, sort them by price or distance and get turn-by-turn directions. This app is ideal for frequent travelers who want to know not only which stations charge less, but also which ones are close enough to justify the detour.
Price: $0.99 for a limited time (normally $2.99)
Available for:iPhone
11. Fuel Finder
Beyond station prices, this app shows whether locations offer amenities like a convenience store, car wash or ATM. The “On Fumes” feature is handy when your fuel gauge is flirting with “E” — it helps you find the nearest station and can link you to roadside assistance if you don’t make it in time.
This app sources its gas prices and locations from the GasBuddy community, so there can be some user-derived inaccuracies.
Price: $2.99
Available for:iPhone
12. Gas Cubby
This app helps you raise your fuel efficiency by calculating mileage achieved from prior fill-ups, with reports covering the period between your most recent tank and the first time you used the app. It also monitors your vehicle’s mileage and maintenance, ensuring you’re not only getting better fuel economy but also keeping your car in excellent condition. You can store vital vehicle details like VIN and license plate number as well.
Price: Free (or $2.99 for the ad-free version)
Available for:iPhone
13. aCar
Similar to Gas Cubby but for Android devices. Track car-related expenses such as fuel mileage, repairs and trips.
Price: Free (or $5.99 for premium features)
Available for:Android
14. car-pal+
Comparable to Gas Cubby and aCar but for Windows phones. Monitor fuel efficiency, manage maintenance reminders and find the closest gas station. Keep tabs on your fuel spending by logging each fill-up and how you pay for it. The app earns praise for its intuitive interface.
Price: $1.99
Available for:Windows phones
Your Turn: What other apps help you trim fuel expenses? Share your go-to picks in the comments!
