If filling up has felt painful lately, the numbers back you up. Gas is far more expensive than it was a year ago, and September 2026 set a record for the month. The good news: with the right apps, a loyalty account or two, and a card that pays well at the pump, most drivers can cut their cost per gallon. Here’s what we found.
Where gas prices stand right now
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular was $4.31 on October 17, 2026. That’s about 13 cents lower than a month ago ($4.44), but roughly $1.26 higher than a year ago, when the average was $3.05. That’s an increase of about 41%. Diesel is at $6.33, up from $3.64 a year ago.
The federal government’s weekly figure tells the same story. The U.S. Energy Information Administration put regular at $4.33 for the week of October 12, up $1.27 from a year earlier. AAA also reported that September’s monthly average of $4.33 beat the previous September record, set in 2023, by 50 cents. In its October 1 update, AAA noted that “crude oil prices have dipped back into the $90 per barrel range, lowering the national average.” Prices are easing a little, but they’re still near record territory.
Where you live matters a lot. On October 17, AAA’s state averages ranged from $6.19 in California (followed by Hawaii at $5.64, Nevada at $5.40 and Washington at $5.40) to $3.64 in North Carolina (followed by Georgia at $3.75 and Texas at $3.80). On a 15-gallon fill-up, that’s a difference of more than $38.
We felt it ourselves: on a recent trip we paid $7.29 a gallon for premium while renting a Mercedes GLC from SIXT in Los Angeles. Premium usually costs well above the regular-grade averages above, and many luxury rentals call for it, so check the fuel requirement when you pick up the car. We’ll share the full story of that SIXT rental in an upcoming review.
How to find the cheapest gas near you
Prices can vary by 20 cents or more between stations a mile apart, so a quick check before you fill up pays off. These are the tools we’d use.
- GasBuddy (app and website). Tap Find Gas in the app to see nearby stations, or search by city or ZIP code. On the web, enter a location at gasbuddy.com, or use the Gas Tools menu to open the price map. GasBuddy also has a trip cost calculator for road trips. A handy feature: in the US, a toggle in Station Details switches between cash and credit prices, and you can filter for stations that offer a cash discount.
- Google Maps. Searching for gas stations in Maps shows nearby options. If you use Google Maps on Apple CarPlay, Google’s help page says you can add a stop and see details such as gas prices and detour times, so you can pick a cheaper station without leaving your route.
- Waze. Waze shows prices on the map that other drivers report. Open the menu and tap Gas prices to compare stations. Because the prices come from users, they may not match what the pump says. Waze also notes that price editing isn’t available on Android Auto or CarPlay.
- AAA’s mobile app. Log in with your membership, tap “More,” and choose Gas Stations to see stations near you or in another area. AAA says it often shows current fuel prices. Features can vary by regional club.
- Upside (cash-back app). Upside works differently: it pays you back after you buy. You claim a gas offer in the app, pay with a linked card, and the cash back appears in your account. You can transfer it to your bank or take it as gift cards. Upside says there are no minimums and no hidden fees. Offers vary by station and by day, so check the app before you pull in.
Gas loyalty and rebate programs worth joining
Station loyalty programs are free and take a minute to set up. If you usually fill up at one brand, join its program.
- Shell Fuel Rewards: Shell says members can save 10 cents per gallon with Platinum status, plus other stackable offers.
- Exxon Mobil Rewards+: Members earn 3 cents per gallon in points on regular, mid-grade and diesel, and 6 cents per gallon on Supreme+ premium. 100 points equal $1. Points expire, so redeem them regularly.
- bp’s earnify (replacing BPme Rewards): bp says earnify is replacing BPme Rewards and is being piloted at some bp and Amoco locations. Members get 5 cents off per gallon automatically, earn 1 point per dollar on fuel, and can redeem 200 points for another 5 cents off per gallon. Points expire after 90 days of inactivity.
- Kroger Points: In June 2026, Kroger renamed Fuel Points to “Points.” You earn 1 point per dollar spent with your reward card, and every 100 points take 10 cents off per gallon, up to $1 per gallon. Points can also be used for dollars off groceries.
- Warehouse clubs: Costco’s fuel stations are for members only (Costco Shop Card holders are an exception), and Costco accepts Visa, most PIN debit cards and Costco Shop Cards. BJ’s says its gas saves members about 20 cents per gallon on average, based on OPIS data. Sam’s Club also sells gas to members. If you already pay for a membership, warehouse gas is often the cheapest option in town.
Best credit cards for gas (as of October 2026)
We checked each card’s rate, cap and annual fee on the issuer’s official page this month. A 5% return on a $4.31 gallon is worth about 21 cents per gallon, which is more than most station loyalty programs pay.
| Card | Gas rate | Cap | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature | 5X points (gas and EV charging) | None stated | $0 | Requires PenFed credit union membership, which can be set up during the application |
| Sam’s Club Mastercard | 5% back in Sam’s Cash | First $6,000 a year, then 1% | $0 | Sam’s Club membership required. Earns 5% at any gas station that accepts Mastercard |
| Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi | 5% at Costco gas; 4% at other eligible gas and EV charging | First $7,000 a year combined, then 1% | $0 with a paid Costco membership | Gas at superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs other than Costco earns 1% |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature | 4X points (gas and EV charging) | First $1,000 a quarter | $0 | Discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs earn 1X |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards | 3% if you choose Gas and EV Charging | $2,500 a quarter, combined with grocery and wholesale club spending, then 1% | $0 | You can change your choice category once a month |
| Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | 3% at U.S. gas stations | None stated for gas | $0 for the first year, then $95 | Best if you also spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | 3% at U.S. gas stations | First $6,000 a year, then 1% | $0 | No-fee version of the Blue Cash Preferred |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Card | 3X points (gas and EV charging) | None stated (marketed as unlimited) | $0 | Also earns 3X in other everyday categories |
| Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card | 3X points (gas and transit) | None | $0 | Requires Navy Federal membership (armed forces, DoD, veterans and their families). Gas at superstores or warehouse clubs may earn 1X |
Cards we left out: Citi says it stopped taking applications for the Citi Custom Cash Card on May 28, 2026 (existing cardholders aren’t affected). Chase Freedom Flex’s 5% categories for October through December 2026 are grocery stores, dining and American Red Cross donations; gas was last quarter’s category. We couldn’t confirm Discover’s current quarterly categories or USAA’s card terms on their official sites while writing this, so check with those issuers directly.
Want a Chase Freedom card anyway? The Freedom Flex’s rotating 5% categories and the Freedom Unlimited’s everyday earning pair well with the Sapphire cards. You can apply for either with our Chase referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal Chase referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn a referral bonus, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on Chase’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
A coding warning: Card issuers decide what counts as “gas” based on the code the merchant uses. Several issuers say that fuel bought at superstores, supermarkets or warehouse clubs may earn only the base rate. If you fill up at Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s or a grocery-store station, check your card’s terms first.
How to stack your savings
- Layer the three discounts. Use a price app to choose the station, enter your loyalty ID at the pump, and pay with your best gas card. If Upside has an offer at that station, claim it first and pay with the linked card. Check Upside’s offer terms to see how it works with station loyalty discounts.
- Match the card to the station. At Costco, the Costco Anywhere Visa earns 5%. At Sam’s Club or any station that takes Mastercard, the Sam’s Club Mastercard earns 5% up to its cap. For everywhere else, a card like PenFed Platinum Rewards has no stated cap.
- Use grocery points on fuel. At Kroger, 1,000 points take $1 off every gallon, up to the program’s limits. On a large fill-up, that can beat any credit card.
- Compare the cash price. Some stations charge less if you pay cash or debit. If the gap is 10 cents a gallon and your card earns 5% (about 21 cents at today’s prices), the card still wins. If the gap is 25 cents, cash may be cheaper. GasBuddy’s cash price toggle makes this easy to check.
Our take
With regular gas about $1.26 higher than last year, drivers who fill up weekly are spending hundreds more a year on fuel. You can’t control oil prices, but you can control where you buy and how you pay. For most people, the simplest setup is a free price app, one station loyalty account, and a card that earns 4% to 5% at the pump. If you already belong to a warehouse club or a credit union, its card is often the best deal. Just avoid carrying a balance: interest charges will cancel out any rewards you earn.
Sources
- AAA Gas Prices: national average
- AAA: state gas price averages
- AAA: National Average Dips Following Record-Setting September
- EIA: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update
- GasBuddy Help: Finding Prices and Trip Cost Calculator
- Google Maps Help: Use Google Maps on CarPlay
- Waze Help: Edit gas types and prices
- AAA: Finding gas stations in the AAA mobile app
- Upside: How Upside Works
- Shell Fuel Rewards
- Exxon Mobil Rewards+
- bp earnify FAQs
- Kroger: Rewards Program Expands with New Ways to Save
- Costco: Gasoline Q&A
- BJ’s Membership Discounts
- PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature
- Sam’s Club Mastercard (Synchrony)
- Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: categories
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
- Wells Fargo Autograph Card
- Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card
- Citi Custom Cash Card
- Chase Freedom Q4 2026 categories
Card offers and terms change frequently; confirm current terms with the issuer before applying. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
