6 Best Apps for Finding Cheap Gas

Fuel is always the biggest expense for gas-powered vehicles, but the latest technology makes it easy to find the cheapest gas in your area. New apps allow users to track cheap prices, search by location, map the best gas-saving routes, and keep track of a vehicle’s maintenance needs. Costs range from free to minimal, and there are excellent apps for all platforms.

Here are six apps that will help you find the cheapest gas prices.

Gas Guru

Pulling information from the Oil Price Information Service, Gas Guru provides real-time prices at gas stations. Set up several favorite locations for quick access to the cheapest prices, or filter results for the area by price, location, or fuel grade. Aside from providing gas locations, it also provides directions to restaurants, ATMs, coffee, and auto repair shops. The free app is available for iPhone, Android, and Windows devices.

GasBuddy

GasBuddy is a crowdsourced app that allows people to enter the price they paid at the pump. If you log enough prices, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a gas card. When seeking out the lowest gas price, enter your location, and the app uses cellular triangulation technology and GPS to sort a list by price or location. The free app is available for iPhone, Android, Windows, and BlackBerry devices.

AAA TripTik

Let this app plan out the route requiring the least amount of gas. Not only will AAA TripTik plan both short and cross-country trips, it also pinpoints the location of each gas station so you can get there with ease. The free app is available for iPhone, iPod, and iPad.

car-pal+

Find the cheapest gas, as well as keep track of your fuel mileage and maintenance with the car-pal+ app. Enter your location, and you’ll be directed to the nearest gas station with the lowest price. You can then keep track of your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and receive maintenance reminders. You can even keep track of multiple vehicles and add a tile to your start page for quick access. The app is available to Windows users for $1.99.

Waze

Join the Waze community and enter the gas price you paid, or check it for the best prices in your area. Take advantage of “Waze-only” deals by navigating to partner sites. The community offers tips and notes where traffic cops have been spotted and accidents have happened, so you’ll also get the 4-1-1 on traffic conditions, which may factor in to finding the cheapest, fastest gas. The app is available from GooglePlay and the AppStore for free.

Dash

Stay in-the-know of what’s going on with your car by installing the Dash app and plugging it in. A tiny sensor connects just beneath the steering wheel in your car and keeps track of the vehicle’s systems. It will alert you and explain what the “check engine” light means, and keep track of fuel mileage and how you’re driving.

By downloading one of these apps, you’ll have the power to find the cheapest gas prices right at your fingertips.
Image via Flickr by Mr Thinktank