The "driving season" is about to start and that means gas prices will be going up. So, how do you save money on gasoline?
Some people are careful to buy their gasoline in the early morning when supposedly the fuel in the tanks is cooler and you get more per gallon. Their reasoning is that gas expands later in the day from daytime heat and you get less fuel to the gallon. While this is scientifically correct and can mean a lot of money to the oil and gas industry and large shippers, you have to wonder how much this could possibly be worth with a car's tank?
There are many kinds of discount cards to use now. Several supermarket chains have deals with gasoline companies to offer discounts on their loyalty cards. Ralphs has a deal with Shell and Vons has a deal with Chevron. Meanwhile the oil companies have their own loyalty cards now -- I have the loyalty card with Shell.
Even casinos have deals with oil companies now to offer discounts to casino players club members. Caesars has a deal with Shell.
Bank of America has a credit card which gives you a rebate when you use the card to buy gasoline.
But shopping around is still the best way to save and if you run across a lower priced station you want to use it when you're in the area. So, when I make the trip from LA to Vegas I usually get a fill-up in Barstow at the Pilot truck stop which also sells auto gas -- plus it has a very attractive rest room that is very well kept. There is also a convenience store there and within steps are several fast food restaurants. The Pilot station also has its own loyalty card program and on my last fill up there I saved 3-cents per gallon on top of its usual lower prices. See the photo below -- and that's the price for premium that you see. At other gas stations in the area the price was about 7 to 10-cents higher. The Pilot is at the Lenwood exit on the west side of the I-15.
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