signing showing high gas prices at a mobile gas station - Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Getting socked in the wallet each time you gas up your car? Prices have been on the rise since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, and while they've fluctuated based on the latest news, they remain high. I've seen the price per gallon hover between $3.40 and $6, depending on location. But you don't necessarily have to pay such high prices. A variety of gas price apps can help you track down the cheapest nearby stations, with prices, directions, and other details. Here's how to use them the next time you need to fill up your tank. GasBuddy Free for iOS and Android, and available on the web, GasBuddy makes it fairly easy to find the cheapest gas in town. The first time you launch the app, you'll be prompted to give it permission to view your location. Then tap the Get Gas icon and tell it what grade of gas you need (regular, premium, diesel, etc.). A list of nearby stations appears. Each entry includes the station's name and address, a star rating from 1 to 5 based on user ratings, and the price per gallon. Advertisement Advertisement You can sort the list by price or distance, adjust the gas grade, and view prices for credit only or for credit and cash. Select the name of a specific station to get directions, which then pop up in Apple Maps on an iPhone or Google Maps on an Android device. While you don't need an account to track down your next fill station, a GasBuddy account will let you collect rewards and save money on future gas station visits. A $9.99-per-month premium membership will bring higher savings. To access discounts, you'll need to link your bank account to the app and use a GasBuddy credit card to pay at the pump. WEX Connect Another free app for iOS and Android users, WEX Connect will locate and show you nearby gas stations, displaying the name, address, and price per gallon. You're able to sort by price or distance, and filter by distance, brand, and gas grade. You can also enter a location or address in the search field to find stations in a different area. Selecting a specific station displays a map and a button to get directions via Apple Maps on iOS or Google Maps on Android. The app can also locate nearby service stations, car washes, and even EV chargers. AAA Mobile If you're already a AAA member, you can use the AAA Mobile app for iOS or Android to find gas stations. The app doesn't provide the same wealth of information as other options, but it has its uses. After you launch the app, sign in with your account and agree to share your location. Swipe down the screen to see the name, price, and distance for nearby stations. Select an entry to see the prices on different grades of gas and get directions. Planning a lengthy car trip? You can find gas stations along your route. Tap the See more link under the list of nearby stations. In the search field, enter your destination. You can then view a map and trace the route to see gas stations marked by an icon. Tap one to see the details on that particular station. Google Maps Don't want to mess with a separate app to cheap find gas? Google Maps has the feature baked into the Android and iOS apps. To find nearby gas stations in the app, just tap the Gas icon among the shortcut entries at the top of the main screen. You can easily locate stations in different areas by moving the map to your destination and then tapping the Gas icon. Advertisement Advertisement A list pops up with the names, addresses, and prices at nearby stations. Each entry also displays a rating so you can tell whether a particular station is worth your business. Select a specific station to view prices for different gas grades, hours, and user reviews for that location. Since you're already in Google Maps, simply tap the Directions button to see how to get there. Waze If you prefer Waze, it can also help you find the cheapest gas prices around. Download the iOS or Android app, open it, and then tap the Where to field. Shortcuts for specific types of locations appear at the top. Select Gas to see the names, addresses, distance, ratings, and prices for the closest stations. You can then sort and filter the list by price, distance, preferred brand, gas type, and other criteria. Tap a specific station to reveal key details, including hours of operation, on-site services, and gas prices. Tap the View routes button to get directions directly in Waze. PCMag and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.
Liked by Aiden Hall, Thomas Walker
Liked by Aiden Hall, Thomas Walker
Liked by Aiden Hall, Thomas Walker