Just filling up the gas tank can be a struggle when you live on a tight budget. Furthermore, gas prices seem to soar at the worst possible times (aka vacation and holidays). When the gas prices are hitting you too hard, here is a list of 11 ways to save gas that might just help you out…

11 Ways to Save Gas

Plan Your Driving Out. Sit down each week and figure out where you need to go. When things overlap, combine the trips. You can save a ton of gas simply by paying attention and thinking ahead. If you plan to drive 10 miles to the nearest town to the pet store, grocery store and the mall, can you do it all in one day? Plan your route in order from nearest to farthest or vice versa and save gas (and time).

Download a Low-Price Gas App. Utilize your smartphone and download Gas Buddy. It will help you find the cheapest gas prices in your town, your neighborhood, or where you are right now. (Hello, my tank is on E…I need it now!)

Consider Car-Pooling. A lot of people think about car-pooling to work, but what about to PTA meetings, the gym or sporting events? If you are all going to the same place, find some friends, make a meeting spot and split the gas bill.

Have Everyone Drive to You. If you regularly plan time with friends, or your children plan time with their friends, offer to be the host. Plan the get together as a potluck and game night and it can be a very inexpensive way to enjoy the evening.

Walk Instead. We live in AUTO-USA where any trip (near or far) is worthy of a ride. However, if the round trip is less than a mile and a half, consider hoofing it vs starting the car. Not only will you save money, it’s a great way to get exercise.

Maintain Your Car. Is you tire pressure optimal? Have you changed the oil filter recently? When was it’s last tune up? Maintaining your car is a simple way to make sure it is running at its peak performance. Peak performance means less gas waste and a longer life for your automobile.

Use Grocery Store Rewards Cards. Many grocery stores have a fuel rewards card that gives you discounts at major gas stations when you purchase certain items. If you are already shopping there anyway, you might as well take advantage of the gas discounts. Otherwise it is just like leaving money on the table. (Find out how you can earn an extra $.03 off per gallon if you shop at Hy-Vee Fuel Saver Card.)

Use a Gas Station Credit Card. Several major gas stations allows you to take up to $.10 off per gallon if you pay with their credit card. If you pay your credit card off every month, this is a great way to get a discount with not much extra work.

Take the extra stuff out of the trunk. Keep the spare tire and the jack, but but get rid of the bags you forgot to drop off at Goodwill six weeks ago! Reduce the weight and save an extra few cents on every trip.

Avoid the heat. Drive in the cooler parts of the day to avoid losing gas to vaporization. This goes for filling up too.

Fill up. It may seem counter intuitive, but filling up the car instead of adding a bit of gas here and there can help you better monitor your gas spending and save you money.

All of these are simple tips and tricks, but if you use all 11 ways to save gas together, you are looking at a considerable savings year over year.

What other ways can you think of to add to our 11 Ways to Save Gas? Leave a comment and let us know.