9 Easy Ways AAA Members Can Save Money On Gas

VOORHEES, N.J. (March 31, 2026) — The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline surpassed $4 this week for the first time since August 10, 2022. As spring break arrives, more people are planning to hit the road. So, what can you do to save on your next road trip, or simply on your daily commute to work? AAA South Jersey has 9 easy tips for you to follow.

1. Watch your speed. Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
2. Avoid excessive idling. A car engine consumes one quarter to one-half gallon of fuel per hour when idling, but a warm engine only takes around 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. Where safe to do so, shut off your engine if you will be stopped for more than a minute.
3. Regular vs. Premium. Pay close attention to the words “recommended” and “required.” If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.
4. Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc. ). As weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle.
5. Check and maintain your tire pressure. Maintaining the proper pressure will save you gas money as it takes less effort to move the vehicle and proper tire pressure decreases wear on the tires. Follow the recommended pressure as identified in your owner’s manual and/or a decal located on the driver’s side door.
6. For road trips, map out your route ahead of time to avoid unnecessary stops. Pack enough water and snacks to hold you over to avoid spending extra cash on fast food.
7. AAA has a free travel tool TripTik Travel Planner that lets you identify gas stations, EV charging stations, hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and attractions along your route. That helps keep you on track and avoids unnecessary detours.
8. Another handy tool for road trips is the AAA Gas Cost Calculator which estimates fuel costs for your vehicle’s make and model.
9. Take advantage of fuel rewards at gas stations. AAA members can save at the pump over Spring Break by signing up for Shell Fuel Rewards®. Members who register now through April 30 will get 35¢/gallon off their first fill at participating Shell stations, and all AAA Fuel Rewards members will save 10¢/gallon during that time period, which is an additional 5¢/gallon compared to the standard Fuel Rewards discount.