This Is Usually The Cheapest Day Of The Week To Buy Gas
As of November 8, 2023, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States is $3.40, according to AAA. That's down from the highest ever recorded average of $5.16 in June, 2022, but fuel is still a significant expense for those commuting to work, transporting families around town, or taking a road trip. Of late, the price of crude oil — from which gasoline is refined — has remained stubbornly high due to voluntary reductions in output by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia.
To combat elevated fuel costs, savvy drivers take advantage of free gas savings apps like GasBuddy that use real-time data to identify the cheapest gas stations in their hometown or when traveling. But should you also consider which day of the week might be least expensive to fill up your tank? GasBuddy has you covered with that information, as well. Analyzing data from the entire year of 2021, gas prices were cheapest on Monday — a pattern that's repeated from 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Consumer patterns are changing
Even though Monday is the long-reigning cheapest day of the week to fill your tank, the status of some other days of the week has recently shifted. Previously, Friday was one of the most expensive days of the week to purchase gasoline, but it's suddenly one of the cheapest. Conventional thinking held that many consumers vied to fill up on Friday in preparation for running errands or taking journeys over the weekend. However, changes in driving habits from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and increased work-from-home employment may be shifting trends.
For example, Sunday was previously one of the most expensive days, but it's now one of the cheapest while Thursday was the most expensive day in 2021. In general, you'll want to avoid filling your tank during midweek and on Saturday. The best days are Monday, Friday, and Sunday.
According to GasBuddy's head petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan, "Though there is variation in daily gas prices across different states, the consensus is that filling up at the beginning or end of the work week, on Monday or Friday, is the best way to save money. Following Monday, Sunday is the cheapest day to fill-up."
Don't forget the classic fuel saving tips
So, how much can you actually expect to save by filling up on the optimal days of the week? Approximately $50 to $100 per year based on one 12 gallon fill-up per week. Of course, it's not always realistic to assume that you can time your fill-ups perfectly corresponding with the cheapest days of the week to buy gas. If your tank is empty, you'll need to refill it sooner than later. GasBuddy's De Haan states, "even if you can't always time your fill ups, the golden rule is to always shop around before filling up."
Equally important to identifying the best place and time to purchase fuel is practicing some good old fashioned fuel saving tips, like AAA recommends. Among other things, the roadside assistance company suggests maintaining proper tire pressure, avoiding hard acceleration like jackrabbit starts, and using cruise control on the highway when possible. And of course, it doesn't hurt to buy a fuel efficient car to begin with.