If you need to buy gas, it may pay to wait until these days – Jalopnik

Unless you live in a city with a serviceable public transportation system, owning a car is a necessity. And according to American Labor Department According to statistics, consumers spent an average of $2,411 on fuel in 2024. The national average is currently around $2.95 per gallon per liter. AAAbut prices can vary significantly depending on where you live in the US. (From cheap Mississippi to expensive California, these are the cheapest and most expensive states to buy gas in America.)

But location isn’t the only variable that affects your wallet at the pump. Apparently it also matters which day of the week you decide to refuel. GasBuddy looked at the data for all states and found that Sunday is often the least expensive day to fill up your car, which is true across the country. Monday is also good, while Tuesday and Saturday require caution.

However, try to avoid Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as fuel tends to cost you the most on these days. Prices may increase especially on Fridays as people prepare for weekend plans that involve travel, especially road trips during the warmer months.

And this is not necessarily a long-term pattern, but one that can come full circle within a week. Keen-eyed bargain shoppers may have to wait, watch prices drop further, and then take advantage of the moment just before the price rises. Patrick De Haan, a GasBuddy analyst, told Grand Rapids’ VOS17“Once prices drop 30 to 35 cents a gallon, you’re in the danger zone if you see gas prices suddenly rise again.”

In addition to price cycles, the influences on the cost of gas also include supply and demand. For example, prices may fall when production is high and current demand is low. And it gets even more complex because there are several additional factors that make gas prices so different across the country, such as state taxes and distances to refineries.

Meanwhile, other apps like Upside and Earnify can give you cash back every time you fill up at participating locations. According to MoneySavingMomWith Upside you can average about 25 cents per gallon, which may not sound like much but can add up over time.

Additionally, your driving habits can have a positive impact on how much you spend at the pump. Speeds above 100 km/h use more fuel, so driving a little slower can make a noticeable difference. For example, AAA reported a study from the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, which found that driving at just 5 mph above 165 reduced fuel economy by about 9%. (This is why your car is more efficient when you drive slower.)