Bold claim: You can save real money at the pump by simply timing your fill-ups to the start of the week. But here’s where it gets controversial: the best day isn’t universally the same for everyone, and a few markets show different rhythms.
If you’re hoping to trim your gasoline costs, consider aiming to fill up on Sunday or Monday, and maybe even Saturday. Experts say a little patience and timing can pay off.
GasBuddy, which monitors prices at more than 150,000 stations nationwide, analyzed how prices move and found that the early part of the week often yields the lowest prices, typically 4 to 9 cents per gallon less than other days.
In the best-case scenario, you could see 15 to 45 cents savings per gallon.
Pat DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, explains that gas prices follow a weekly rhythm, not just global oil market swings. For many drivers, Sunday tends to be the safer bet for lower prices, while prices midweek can be higher.
In a handful of states — Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, and Texas — prices exhibit a pattern known as price cycling. In these markets, prices rise and fall in cycles, gradually climbing until another spike, then dropping again.
GasBuddy’s data show prices start low on Sunday and Monday, rise through midweek (Wednesday to Friday), and then fall again. The reason, DeHaan says, is competition among stations and how they reset prices.
By Saturday, many stations reset their pricing, leading to sharper and more predictable weekly swings in these states. If you notice a price spike, waiting a few days can yield better deals as the cycle turns.
The largest potential savings typically occur five to seven days after a price spike, with gaps of 15 to 45 cents per gallon or more between the peak and the trough of the cycle.
You can also use tools like GasBuddy’s Find Cheap Fuel app to locate the lowest prices near you.
Bottom line: a practical approach to saving at the pump is to monitor prices, plan your fills for early in the week, and stay flexible. If you can time your stops to align with price dips, you’ll maximize savings without sacrificing convenience.
Contact: Frank Witsil, 313-222-5022, f witsil@freepress.com
