The Worst Day of the Week To Buy Gas — and the Best Time To Fill Up Instead

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Trying to save money wherever you can? One way may be to choose the right day to fill up your gas tank.

Here’s what you need to know about the worst day of the week to buy gas (and the best time to fill up instead).

The Worst Day of the Week To Buy Gas

According to GasBuddy, you should avoid filling your tank on Thursdays. Heading into the high-demand weekend, gas prices tended to spike on Thursday, which was the most costly day to fill up in 28 states in 2022.

Wednesday is also a day to avoid, as it is the second-most-expensive day for gas.

The Best Day of the Week To Buy Gas

Gas prices were lowest on Mondays in 17 states, representing a bright side to the start of the work week. Tuesday is the second-best day to fill up your tank. Lower demand could be a factor, but whatever the reason, drivers can save by filling up at the start of the week.

Where You Live Matters

The best day to fill up — and the best day to avoid the gas station — varies by state. For example, in Arizona, gas is cheapest on Mondays and most expensive on Thursdays. But in Nebraska, you’ll save the most by filling up on Tuesday, but Saturday will cost you the most. In New York, Monday is the least-expensive day, but Wednesday is the priciest.

Gas Prices Were Relatively Stable in 2025

According to GasBuddy, 2025 was a relatively calm year for gas prices. The website, which helps consumers find the best prices on gas, reported that the U.S. national average price for gasoline was highest for the year on April 3, 2025, at $3.26 per gallon. On Dec. 28, gas was $2.76 per gallon, the low for the year. This data means that the price of gas only shifted by 50.2 cents during calendar 2025, the third-smallest range in the past 20 years.

How To Save on Gas No Matter When You Buy

Choosing the best day to fill up is only one way to save on gas. Here are some other things you can do so that you’re not paying quite so much to get where you need to go.

Drive Less

Clearly, the more you drive, the more you’ll pay. So cut out unnecessary trips, plan your route and carpool if you can. And use GPS even if you know where you’re going. It can alert you if there are backups or detours and send you on the most efficient route.

Use an App

There are several apps that will point you to the lowest gas prices in the area so you can find the best place to fill up. GasBuddy, Gas Guru and the AAA mobile app can all help you find the best price for gas and tell you how to get there.

Pay in Cash

Many stations offer lower prices for customers who pay with cash. When you pay cash, the station doesn’t have to pay the credit card processing surcharge, so they pass some of that savings on to you. If you can’t pay in cash, use a credit card that offers cash back — especially if you get more cash back at gas stations.

Drive Smarter

Accelerating slowly and keeping your overall speed down can use less fuel, which saves you money. Keeping your car tuned up and regularly checking your tire pressure will help it operate more efficiently, which also reduces fuel consumption.

Saving even a dollar or two on every tank of gas can add up over the course of a year, so try some of these tips to keep a little more money in your pocket.

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