The national average price for a gallon of regular gas hit $4.39 on May 1, according to AAA. That’s an growth of about 8% from a month earlier, when gas reached $4.06 per gallon.

Americans aren’t just feeling price hikes in gas; they’re seeing increases for other essentials like food. But there are ways to find cheaper gas, if you know where to look and what tools to utilize. Below, CNBC Select rounds up our top ways to save on gas.

How to save on gas

Adopt an app to find the best prices

Join a wholesale club

Take advantage of an Amazon Prime membership

Apply your credit cards wisely

Take advantage of your AAA membership

Seek out cash discounts

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There’s never been a better time to shop around before you fill up the tank. Gas prices can vary widely, even from block to block. Keeping an eye on prices can help, but comparing numbers across a large area can help you find better deals.

GasBuddy can help you view prices at dozens of local stations, allowing you to filter by price, distance or both factors. It’s free to download and leverage, and available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app can also help you earn rewards for completing tasks like uploading receipts.

Gasbuddy App

Features

Gasbuddy helps you find the cheapest gas near you in one easy-to-use app. It’s helped the public find the best gas prices over 900 million times and save over $3.1 billion at the pump.

App availability

Available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store

Price

Free

Many wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s offer gas at more affordable prices than standard gas stations. the low prices aren’t accessible to everyone , on the other hand— you’ll need to be a member of the club. Prices can vary between clubs, so produce sure to compare costs in advance.

Consider the math: memberships for Sam’s Club’s and Costco Gold Star — both of which give customers access to gas — are $60 and $65, respectively. BJ’s Club+ membership is $120 annually. Most cars hold between 12 and 16 gallons of gas, and with prices at $4.39, you’d spend at least $50 at the pump filling up your tank once.

Plus, memberships can be combined with the brands’ credit cards to earn rewards.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has no annual fee for Costco members and earns 5% cash back on Costco gas, plus 4% on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging (up to $7,000 in combined spending per year, then 1%). You’ll also earn rewards on eligible travel and restaurant purchases, plus 2% back at Costco and Costco.com.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

On Citi’s site

18.74% – 26.74% variable

$0, Costco membership required

No current offer

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a valuable card to pair with a Costco membership, but the rewards program is more restrictive than what you get with a typical cash-back card.

High rewards rates for gas/EV charging and travel

No foreign transaction fees

Restrictive rewards that you can only cash out once per year

Requires a paid Costco membership

No welcome bonus

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.

Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members

Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.

3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.

2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com

1% cash back on all other purchases

No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases

Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

Balance transfer fee

5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum

Foreign transaction fee

The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® earns 5% back in Sam’s Cash™ on gas and EV charging, but it’s capped on the first $6,000 per year (after which you’ll earn 1%).

Sam’s Club® Mastercard®

On Sam’s Club’s site

Prime rate plus 13.40% for Account Type 1 or 21.40% for Account Type 2

$0, Sam’s Club membership required

Get a $30 statement credit

Terms apply.

The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® is a great card to pair with your Sam’s Club membership, but less flexible than other reward cards, as it earns Sam’s Cash instead of direct cash back.

High rewards rates for gas/EV charging

Sam’s Cash doesn’t expire

Requires a paid Sam’s Club membership

Caps the maximum Sam’s Cash you can earn per year at $5,000

Rewards

Earn 5% Sam’s Cash™ on gas and EV charging (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%) at Sam’s Club

Earn 3% back in Sam’s Cash™ on dining and takeout

Earn 3% in Sam’s Cash™ on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members (Club members earn 1%)

Earn 1% back in Sam’s Cash™ on other purchases.

Finally, BJ’s One+® Mastercard® holders receive $0.15 off per gallon on gas purchases at BJ’s gas stations. 

BJ’s One® Mastercard®

Information about the BJ’s One® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

19.99% or 28.49%, variable

$0, BJ’s Club membership required

The BJ’s One Mastercard is the first level of card for someone who frequently shops at BJ’s Wholesale clubs, but just know that all your earned rewards have to stay within the BJ’s club ecosystem.

Strong earnings on BJ’s Club purchases

No cap on reward earnings

Requires a paid BJ’s club membership

Can’t redeem rewards for gas

Requires a minimum of $10 to redeem

Earn 3% back on eligible purchases at BJ’s front-end registers, on BJs.com or in the BJ’s app

Earn 1.5% back on purchases made outside of BJ’s with their BJ’s One® Mastercard®

Instant discount of 10¢ off each gallon of fuel at BJ’s Gas®

An Amazon Prime membership can also help you save. Prime members get $0.10 off per gallon through Amazon’s partnership with earnify™, the loyalty program from BP and its subsidiaries.

Additionally, now through May 29, members can get $0.20 off per gallon on one fill-up every Friday at BP and Amoco, along with participating ampm and Thorntons locations across the U.S.

To get started, create your earnify™ account, activate your membership at amazon.com/fuelsavings, and pair the two accounts. Then, you’ll be able to utilize your phone number or a linked payment method to get the discount. this discount only applies at qualifying gas stations, so review the list of stations near you and produce sure to compare prices at those stations ahead of time.

This discount can be shared with one additional person over the age of , on the other hand18 who also lives in your home. When the promotional period ends later in May, Prime members who link their accounts will continue to receive $0.10 off per gallon at these eligible stations.

This promotion doesn’t require you to leverage a certain credit card to qualify but you can produce the deal even better with credit cards that offer cash back on fuel. The Prime Visa (see rates and fees) doesn’t require an annual fee, just a Prime membership, which starts at $139 annually. It offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Marketplace and Chase Travel. It also earns 2% back on gas stations, local transit and restaurants. 

Prime Visa

18.74% – 27.49% variable

$0 (but Prime membership is required)

Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card 

See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC. Information about the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. Terms apply. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.

The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.

High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods

Easy-to-earn welcome bonus

Requires an Amazon Prime membership

If you choose the promo APR you won’t earn rewards on those purchases

Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Sector and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership

Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)

10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership

Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases

Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

A card like the Citi Double Cash® card could also be a favorable fit — this card has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back when you produce a purchase and 1% back when you pay your balance. There’s no limit to how much cash back you can earn, either, and there aren’t any rotating spending categories you need to monitor.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Spotlight

Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.

17.49% – 27.49% variable

Earn $200 cash back

See rates and fees, terms apply.

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.

Balance transfers get a long intro APR

Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure

No annual fee

Travelers face a foreign transaction fee

Intro APR only applies to balance tranfer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you invest in, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.

Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.

Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.

If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.

There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.

Credit cards aren’t just a way to pay for the things you invest in every day — they’re also a way to get rewarded.

Some cards offer higher rewards levels for rotating categories, while others offer a flat percentage of cash back or even travel points for the purchases you produce.

If you spend a lot on fuel and want to maximize your earnings, the Citi Custom Cash® Card could be a strong option. This card has no annual fee, and cardholders earn 5% cash back on one of 10 top eligible spend categories each billing cycle (on up to $500 in spending, then 1%). If gas stations are your highest spending category for that cycle, you’ll earn 5% cash back, one of the best rates we’ve seen.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers

17.49% – 27.49% variable

Earn $200 in cash back Furthermore, experts in bear market note the continued relevance.

Information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Read our Citi Custom Cash® Card review.

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash back card because you’ll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.

Offers a long intro APR on balance transfers

Bonus cash back categories are capped

Charges a foreign transaction fee

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026

5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)

If you’re primarily spending on essentials like groceries and gas, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could be a favorable fit. There’s a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). Rewards highlights include 6% back on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%) and 3% back at eligible U.S. gas stations.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

On the American Express site

19.49% – 28.49% Variable

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back

See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)

High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services

Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers

No annual fee for the first year

It’s less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee

Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped

Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your novel Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.

Plan It®: Invest in now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.

See Rates & Fees

Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars

If you’re already an AAA member — or thinking of joining for the discounts on travel-related items and services — you could find deals.

AAA members can save at eligible Shell gas stations by signing up for the free Shell Fuel Rewards® program. As a member, you’ll save $0.30 per gallon on your first fill-up. Then, you’ll save $0.05 off per gallon on up to 20 gallons at participating Shell stations.

Some gas stations will offer a tiny discount for using cash — typically between $0.05 and $0.10 off per gallon, according to NerdWallet. While that might seem like a tiny amount, it could add up if you have a large gas tank or acquire gas frequently.

Ask your local stations if they offer a discount for those paying in cash. If they do, keeping some cash could help you get that discount. Having easy ATM access could also help you take advantage of a cash discount.

The Axos Bank CashBack Checking Account includes free withdrawals from over 95,000 ATMs nationwide, plus unlimited reimbursements for any out-of-network machines you might encounter domestically in the U.S. It also doesn’t have any monthly maintenance fees and offers 1% cash back on purchases requiring a signature, a feature many other debit cards don’t have.

Axos Bank CashBack Checking

Monthly maintenance fee

$0

Minimum deposit to open

Minimum balance

No minimum balance

Earn up to 1.00% cash back on all transactions that require a signature. This also touches on aspects of wall street.

Free ATM network

None

ATM fee reimbursement

All domestic ATM fees reimbursed

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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.

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