How to save money on gas (and big savings on diesel) Labor Day weekend

Some offers on this page are from advertisers who compensate us, which might influence the products we feature, though it does not impact our recommendations. Please refer to our Advertiser Disclosure.

How to save money on gas (and big savings on diesel) Labor Day weekend

As the final major road-trip holiday of the summer approaches, Labor Day travelers are facing record-setting prices at the pump. AAA reports that national average gas prices remained above $4 per gallon throughout August, a trend not seen since August 2022.

GasBuddy projects an average gas price of $4.03 per gallon. This would be 87 cents higher than in 2025 and represents the highest Labor Day pump price on record in nominal terms, surpassing the previous high of $3.83 per gallon set in 2012.

Diesel fuel prices reached a record high on Friday, averaging $5.85 per gallon as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran continue to disrupt refinery operations and inflate transportation costs.

If you are planning a Labor Day road trip, there are still effective ways to lower your fuel expenses. We are skipping the common advice that rarely yields results—such as “decluttering your trunk”—and instead focusing on discounts that provide tangible savings, ranging from a dime per gallon on gasoline to over 50 cents per gallon on diesel.

Let’s get started.

Cheapest gas station finder apps

GasBuddy helps you locate the best prices in your area, even when using the free version of the app. By selecting your preferred fuel grade, you can view a list of nearby prices sorted from lowest to highest.

All pricing data is crowdiscrepancy. Each station listing displays the current price alongside the available GasBuddy discount, helping you decide if a stop is worthwhile. Once you choose a station, you can activate the discount through the app and pay using a GasBuddy debit card

There is also a premium version of the app available for $9.99 per month, though you should calculate whether your potential savings will exceed the subscription cost.

Another tool may already be on your smartphone: Google Maps displays fuel prices when you select “Gas” from the search bar. Because prices fluctuate rapidly, it is wise to verify the cost upon arrival. Additionally, the “Ask Maps” feature provides a list of nearby stations and their prices when you search for “cheapest gas near me” or “gas along my route.”

Cash-back rewards apps and credit cards

Upside is a prominent free cash-back app for fuel. You simply select an offer within the app, pay using your standard credit or debit card, and then claim your rewards through the platform. These offers extend beyond fuel to include <a href="https://parentmoneylife.com/2026/09/06/the-best-fitness-deals-on-sale-for-under-100-for-labor-day/” title=”The Best Fitness Deals on Sale for Under $100 for Labor Day”>deals on groceries and dining. Recent checks showed cash-back offers reaching up to 18 cents per gallon in St. Louis, along with 20% or more back on dining purchases.

Gas card loyalty programs, such as Shell Fuel Rewards and Exxon Mobil Rewards+, can typically save you between 3 and 10 cents per gallon.

Membership programs offering fuel discounts

Numerous grocery chains and wholesale clubs provide “fuel points” or direct cash discounts ranging from 10 to 30 cents per gallon. Walmart+ members receive 10 cents off per gallon at Walmart, Murphy USA, and participating Exxon Mobil stations.

Kroger—along with its affiliated brands like Food4Less, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and Ralphs—and Albertsons/Safeway offer fuel savings at participating locations. Wholesale clubs including Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club also provide competitive fuel discounts.

Amazon Prime members can link their accounts to the earnify app to secure 10-cent-per-gallon discounts at participating BP, Amoco, ampm, and Thorntons locations. Circle K convenience stores also feature a rewards program and periodic “Fuel Day” discount events. Other programs worth exploring are offered by 7-Eleven, Speedway, BP, Amoco, and Maverik. Chevron Texaco stations currently have a limited-time offer providing $1 per gallon discounts on up to five fill-ups.

Most of these programs offer savings between 5 and 10 cents per gallon, though some may require membership fees.

Diesel savings for RVs and heavy-duty trucks

If you are driving or towing an RV this Labor Day, you can achieve significant savings and added convenience by utilizing a commercial fuel card program.

Open Roads is a diesel discount program managed by TSD Logistics. Originally designed for major freight carriers operating 18-wheelers, the program is now open to the RV community, including those driving motorhomes, campervans, trailers, toy haulers, and heavy-duty diesel trucks.

Another diesel discount app is Mudflap. Rather than using a physical card, you select a truck stop on the app’s map to receive a code that activates the deal. Mudflap reports offering discounts at more than 3,600 truck stops nationwide.

While major chains like Love’s Travel Stops and Pilot/Flying J have their own loyalty programs, they generally offer consumer-level savings closer to 10 cents per gallon.

How a gas card can help you navigate high prices at the pump

As fuel costs climb, you can offset expenses by earning rewards on your gas station purchases. Here is what to look for when choosing a gas card.

Planning a summer road trip? The right credit card can help you save

A road trip can be more affordable if you know how to maximize value with a rewards credit card as travel costs rise.

When will gas prices go down? Two factors are driving prices higher.

Geopolitical tensions are keeping gas prices above $4. Here’s where experts say prices are headed.

Gas tops $4 and diesel is over $5. How an extended war with Iran could push prices higher.

Gas and diesel prices are hitting new highs as geopolitical instability in the Middle East disrupts supply. Here’s a breakdown of how international tensions influence pump prices.

Trump backs gas tax holiday as pump prices rise. What drivers should know.

Higher gas prices are squeezing household budgets and reviving calls for tax relief. Here’s what to know about gas tax holidays.

5 ways higher oil prices could impact your wallet

Here’s a closer look at how high oil prices can trickle down and raise your everyday costs.