Gas Station Savings Calculator

Select Currency:

Vehicle Information

Your Vehicle's MPG (Miles Per Gallon)

Average Miles Driven Per Week

Gas Prices

Gas Station 1 Price Per Gallon

$

Gas Station 2 Price Per Gallon

$

Time Period

Time Period to Calculate Weekly Monthly Yearly 12 Months 24 Months

Expected Price Difference (%)

Gas Savings Results

Weekly Savings

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USD

Amount saved each week by choosing the cheaper station

Annual Savings

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USD

Potential yearly savings with current price difference

Gallons Saved

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gallons

Gallons of gas saved over the selected time period

Savings Over Time

Detailed Savings

Time Period	Cheaper Station Cost	Expensive Station Cost	Savings

This calculator provides estimates based on your inputs. Actual results may vary.

Calculation History

Date	MPG	Miles/Week	Price 1	Price 2	Weekly Savings	Currency	Actions

No Calculation History

Your calculation history will appear here after you save calculations.

Stop Overpaying for Gas!

Your Complete Guide to Smart Fuel Savings with Our Easy-to-Use Calculator

Did you know that the average American driver spends over $1,500 per year on gasoline? With prices constantly changing, you could be wasting hundreds of dollars without even realizing it!

Our Gas Station Savings Calculator helps you make smart decisions about where and how to buy gas. It's not just about finding the cheapest station—it's about understanding how your driving habits, vehicle efficiency, and smart timing can save you real money.

What is MPG and Why Does it Matter?

MPG stands for Miles Per Gallon. It's a simple measurement that tells you how far your car can travel on one gallon of fuel. Think of it like this:

Simple Example:

If your car gets 30 MPG and you drive 300 miles:

• You'll use 10 gallons of gas (300 ÷ 30 = 10)
• If gas costs $3.50 per gallon, that's $35 for the trip
• If you find gas for $3.25 instead, you save $2.50 on that trip alone!

Try Our Gas Station Savings Calculator

No complex math needed! Just enter your numbers and discover exactly how much you can save.

The Simple Formulas Behind Fuel Savings

The Three Key Formulas:

Gallons Used = Miles Driven ÷ MPG

Fuel Cost = Gallons Used × Price Per Gallon

Savings = (Expensive Price - Cheap Price) × Gallons Used

Let's break down what each calculator field means:

1. Your Vehicle's MPG

MPG (Miles Per Gallon) measures how efficient your vehicle is. Most cars show between 20-35 MPG. You can find your car's MPG:

• In your owner's manual
• On the window sticker if you bought it new
• Using online databases (just Google "[Your Car Make Model] MPG")
• By calculating it yourself (fill up your tank, reset trip meter, drive normally, fill up again, divide miles by gallons)

Pro Tip: Real MPG vs. Advertised

Manufacturers often show "best case" MPG. Your real MPG is usually 10-20% lower, especially if you do city driving, use air conditioning, or carry heavy loads.

2. Average Miles Driven Per Week

This is simply how far you drive in a typical week. The average American drives about 200-250 miles per week. To calculate yours:

• Daily commuters: (Distance to work × 2) × Days per week
• Example: 15 miles each way, 5 days = (15 × 2 × 5) = 150 miles/week
• Add: Weekend trips, errands, and other driving

3. Gas Station Prices

This is where the magic happens! You're comparing two different gas prices:

• Gas Station 1: The cheaper option (like Costco, Sam's Club, or your local discount station)
• Gas Station 2: The more expensive option (like the station right off the highway or closest to home)

Real-Life Calculation Example:

Let's say you drive a car that gets 25 MPG and you drive 200 miles per week:

Gallons per week = 200 ÷ 25 = 8 gallons

If Station A charges $3.50 and Station B charges $3.75:

Station A cost = 8 × $3.50 = $28.00

Station B cost = 8 × $3.75 = $30.00

Weekly savings = $30.00 - $28.00 = $2.00

That's $104 per year just by choosing the cheaper station!

Why Small Differences Add Up to Big Savings

The Power of Compound Savings

Just saving 25¢ per gallon might not seem like much, but let's see what happens over time:

• Weekly: Save $2.00 (seems small)
• Monthly: Save $8.00 (a nice lunch out)
• Yearly: Save $104.00 (a nice dinner for two)
• 5 Years: Save $520.00 (a weekend getaway!)

And that's just for one car! Multiply that by multiple vehicles in your household, and the savings really add up.

Key Features of Our Calculator

50+ Currencies

Calculate in your local currency whether you use dollars, euros, yen, or pesos. We support over 50 currencies worldwide!

Visual Charts

See your potential savings grow over time with interactive charts that show exactly how much you're saving.

History Tracking

Save your calculations and track changes over time. Perfect for comparing different scenarios or seeing seasonal price changes.

Export Results

Save your results as PDF, HTML, or text files to share with family, keep for records, or show your mechanic.

How to Use the Calculator (Simple Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Enter Your Vehicle's MPG

Use your actual MPG for best results. If you're not sure:

• Most sedans: 25-35 MPG
• SUVs and trucks: 15-25 MPG
• Hybrids: 40-60 MPG
• Electric cars: Use MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent) - often 100+

Step 2: Enter Your Weekly Miles

Be honest here! The more accurate your number, the better your results. Consider:

• Work commute (both directions)
• School runs
• Grocery shopping
• Weekend activities
• Vacation travel (averaged out)

Step 3: Compare Gas Prices

Check prices at two different stations. You can use:

• GasBuddy app for real-time prices
• Local station signs
• Your memory from last fill-up

Step 4: Choose Your Time Period

See how savings add up over:

• Weekly: For quick decisions
• Monthly: For budgeting
• Yearly: For big-picture planning
• Custom: For specific goals (like a 12-month lease)

Quick Savings Tip

Always fill up at the cheaper station, even if it's slightly out of your way. A 5-minute detour to save $2-5 each time adds up to hundreds per year!

Beyond the Calculator: Additional Fuel-Saving Tips

1. Improve Your MPG

• Proper tire pressure: Underinflated tires can reduce MPG by 3%
• Regular maintenance: Clean air filters and fresh oil can improve efficiency
• Remove excess weight: Clear out your trunk - every 100 pounds reduces MPG by 1%
• Smooth driving: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking

2. Time Your Fill-Ups

• Wednesday mornings: Often the best prices
• Avoid weekends: Prices often spike for weekend travel
• Check before holidays: Prices usually rise before long weekends

3. Use Technology

• Gas price apps: GasBuddy, Waze, Google Maps
• Loyalty programs: Many stations offer 5-10¢ off per gallon
• Credit card rewards: Some cards offer 3-5% cash back on gas

Frequently Asked Questions (15 Common Questions)

1. Is it worth driving further for cheaper gas?

Generally, yes—if the savings outweigh the extra gas used. Our calculator helps you figure this out! As a rule of thumb: If the price difference is more than 10¢ per gallon, it's usually worth a 5-minute detour.

2. Does premium gas improve MPG?

Only if your car specifically requires premium (check your owner's manual). For most cars, premium gas doesn't improve MPG enough to justify the higher cost.

3. Should I keep my tank full or half-full?

Half-full is actually slightly more efficient because you're carrying less weight. But the difference is minimal (about 0.1% per gallon saved). Focus more on buying at the right price.

4. Do gas prices vary by time of day?

Yes! Stations often change prices in the morning and evening. Late night/early morning (after 8 PM, before 7 AM) often has the best prices as fewer people are buying.

5. How often should I calculate my gas savings?

Whenever gas prices change significantly, or at least monthly to track your savings. Our history feature makes this easy!

6. Do electric cars really save money?

Yes, dramatically! Electricity is much cheaper per mile than gasoline. Our calculator can help you compare electric charging costs vs. gas costs if you know your electric rate.

7. Should I use gas additives?

Most modern cars don't need them. Save your money—the tiny MPG improvement (if any) usually costs more than the fuel savings.

8. Does air conditioning reduce MPG?

Yes, by about 10-20%! At low speeds, open windows are better. At highway speeds, AC is more efficient than the drag from open windows.

9. What's the best day to buy gas?

Wednesday or Thursday morning. Prices often rise for the weekend starting Friday afternoon.

10. Do grocery store fuel points really save money?

Absolutely! Many stores offer 10¢-20¢ off per gallon for spending $100-$200 in groceries. This can be one of the best savings strategies if you shop there anyway.

11. Should I let my car idle to warm up?

Modern cars need only 30 seconds to warm up. Idling wastes gas (0 gallons per hour!) and is bad for the environment. Drive gently for the first few minutes instead.

12. Does cruise control save gas?

Yes, especially on highways! Maintaining a constant speed is more efficient than varying speeds. Use cruise control whenever possible on long trips.

13. Are gas station brands different?

All gas meets minimum government standards. Top-tier gas has more detergent additives, which help keep engines clean. For older cars or high mileage, top-tier might be worth it.

14. How much does speeding cost?

Every 5 mph over 50 mph costs an extra $0.20-$0.40 per gallon! Driving 65 instead of 75 mph can save 10-15% on fuel.

15. Can I save calculations for multiple vehicles?

Yes! Our history feature lets you save unlimited calculations. Perfect for families with multiple cars or comparing different vehicles you might buy.

Final Thoughts: Your Money, Your Choice

Gas prices might feel like something you can't control, but you have more power than you think. By being a smart shopper and understanding how small differences add up, you can save hundreds—even thousands—of dollars over time.

Our calculator makes this easy. It's not about drastic lifestyle changes. It's about making smart choices that fit into your normal routine. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or planning a road trip, knowing your numbers puts you in control.

Remember:

The money you save on gas isn't just "found money"—it's money you've earned by being smart. What will you do with your extra savings? A nice dinner out? Add to your savings? Pay off debt? The choice is yours!