BOSTON — (NOTE: The video above is from April 2020, when WTOL 11 was in search of viewers' best deals at the pump ever.)
A new GasBuddy study suggests almost one-third of Americans care more about saving money on gasoline now than before the coronavirus pandemic.
Traffic, commute times, and household incomes continue to decline, but the annual Pump Habits Study found many money-wasting behaviors are still prevalent. Some consumers are overpaying by as much as $300 a year.
The top reason motorists overspent was due to not paying attention. 83 percent of drivers admitted to filling up their tanks, only to drive past a cheaper gas station moments later.
"Traffic is no longer an excuse when it comes to 'having' to fill up at the first station you see off the highway," said GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick De Haan. "Shopping around for gas is one of the most valuable ways to save money. Gas prices commonly vary by over 10 cents but in larger cities, can vary over $1 per gallon."
GasBuddy says drivers can save $200 a year by checking prices in their area ahead of time.
Filling up at the same station because it seems easier should be avoided, according to the study. 30 percent of motorists said they repeatedly stop at the same station because it's on their way home or to work.
De Haan said loyalty programs can be useful to save money on gas. 44 percent of drivers do not belong to any programs, which can save up to $50 annually.
The study advises against paying with a credit card, especially if the user carries a balance. Failure to make full payments and accumulating interest negates savings.
“The price is only half the story, the way we pay is other,” De Haan said. “More and more companies are offering alternatives to a debit card that offer rewards like Pay with GasBuddy. It saw a 110 percent increase in usage from survey respondents from 2018 to 2021, even when gas prices were historically lower.”