When to Buy Gas to Save Money: Avoid These Days at the Pump
- Author: Alicia Cole
- Posted: 2026-05-27
If you want to spend less on gas, the day you fill up your tank matters more than you might think.
Thursday Is Often the Worst Day to Buy Gas
A recent study by GasBuddy found that gas prices tend to be highest around Thursday. In fact, Wednesday through Friday are usually the most expensive days to fill up at most gas stations.
Why does this happen? Gas prices follow a weekly pattern. As the weekend gets closer, more people plan trips and need fuel. This increase in demand pushes prices up.
The Best Days to Fill Up
According to GasBuddy's 2026 report, Sunday is the cheapest day to buy gas in most states. This includes big states like:
- California
- Florida
- Texas
- New York
- Illinois
- Georgia
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Washington
In some states, Monday is the best day to buy gas. These include Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, and Ohio.
A few states have the lowest prices on Saturday, including Kansas, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
The Worst Days Vary by State
While Thursday is bad in many places, the most expensive day depends on where you live:
- Wednesday is the worst day in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas.
- Thursday is the worst day in Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Friday is the worst day in Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island.
- Saturday is the worst day in Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana.
Simple Tips to Save Money on Gas
- Fill up early in the week — Don't wait until Wednesday or later if you can help it.
- Know your state's best day — Check when prices are lowest where you live.
- Use gas price apps — Apps can help you compare prices at nearby stations. Sometimes the difference between stations is bigger than the difference between days.
By paying attention to when you buy gas, you can keep a little more money in your pocket each week.
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