How to find the cheapest gas near you
KEY POINTS
- Gas prices are soaring due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- CNBC compiled a guide using GasBuddy to show you how to get the best rate at the pump.
A customer pumps gasoline into his car at a service station in San Francisco.
Getty Images
Russia's war on Ukraine has been rapidly increasing the price of oil on supply fears, and the impact is falling on consumers at the gas pump.
Gasoline prices just hit the highest level since 2008, making the national average for a regular gallon of gas $4.065, according to AAA. In some areas, prices are much higher. In California, for example, the average was $5.343 as of Monday morning.
You can save money by using apps like GasBuddy to find the stations with the lowest prices near you. And it lets you sort by fuel type, payment method, gas station brand and more. Here's what to do.
GasBuddy
CNBC
Getting started
- Download the GasBuddy app, either on Apple's App Store or on Google Play.
- Open GasBuddy and tap "Sign Up."
- Enter your email and ZIP code
- You'll need to share your location, a feature that can be turned off in your phone settings later on.
Picking gas
- Tap the "find gas" tab on the bottom of your screen.
- You'll be able to pick which fuel type you prefer. GasBuddy lets you filter for regular, midgrade, premium, diesel, UNL88 and E85. I chose "regular" for the demonstration screenshot above.
- The app shows a list of stations and their prices from low to high. It also tells you the range of prices. For example, in one Los Angeles area, it ranges from $4.99 to $5.99.
- You can filter by payment method, ratings, brands and amenities, like restrooms or stations that are open 24/7.
- Once you settle on a station, you can click on the one you want. That will show you its full address, directions, ratings, reviews and amenities.
- The app will also ask you to report gas prices at the station, so you can help others get accurate information.
That's it! Now you've learned how to find the lowest gas prices near you.
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