Driving farther for cheaper gas is often a false economy, as the perceived savings at the pump can quickly be negated by the hidden costs of the detour. To determine if it's truly worth it, you must calculate the total cost, which includes the fuel consumed on the extra drive and the value of your time, not just the per-gallon discount. For many, the effort doesn't translate into real savings.
How do I calculate if a detour is worth it?
To calculate if a detour for cheaper gas is worth it, you need to weigh the total gallons saved against the extra fuel consumed and the value of your time. Start by determining the total savings from the cheaper gas station (gallons * price difference). Then, estimate the extra fuel your car will use for the round trip to the cheaper station, considering your vehicle's MPG. If the fuel cost of the detour exceeds the savings, it's not worth it. For instance, Fisch Financial found that driving 2 miles out of your way to save $0.10 per gallon on a 15-gallon tank actually costs you $0.05 more than if you had just filled up at the closer station [2]. Additionally, factor in the monetary value of your time spent driving the extra distance.
What factors make driving farther for gas worthwhile?
Driving farther for gas becomes worthwhile only under specific conditions: a significant price difference per gallon, a very short detour, or filling a very large tank. The bigger the price gap between stations and the shorter the extra distance, the more likely you are to save money. For example, if you're filling a large truck with a 30-gallon tank and saving $0.50 per gallon, that's $15 in savings. A short 2-mile detour (4 miles round trip) might consume less than a quarter-gallon of fuel, making the savings substantial. Conversely, a small price difference on a short detour for a small car is unlikely to yield true savings.
| Factor | Detour NOT Worth It | Detour IS Worth It |
|---|---|---|
| Price Difference | Small (e.g., < $0.10/gallon) | Large (e.g., > $0.25/gallon) |
| Detour Distance | Long (e.g., > 5 miles round trip) | Short (e.g., < 2 miles round trip) |
| Tank Size | Small (e.g., < 10 gallons) | Large (e.g., > 20 gallons) |
| Time Value | High (e.g., during rush hour) | Low (e.g., already passing by) |
How much does the average driver save by finding cheaper gas?
The average driver often overestimates the savings from driving out of their way for cheaper gas, as the calculations rarely account for all hidden costs. While a few cents per gallon might seem attractive, the actual net savings diminish rapidly with increased driving distance and time. According to one analysis, if you save $0.25 per gallon on a 15-gallon fill-up, your total savings are $3.75. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon (MPG), that $3.75 savings is completely eaten up by driving 37.5 miles round trip, meaning you can only drive about 18 miles out of your way before breaking even [1]. This demonstrates how quickly the fuel cost of the detour negates the pump price difference.
Bottom line
Chasing the absolute lowest sticker price for gasoline is rarely a winning strategy when you factor in the total cost of the detour. Unless the price difference is substantial and the additional driving distance is minimal, you're likely spending more in fuel and time than you save at the pump. To truly find the cheapest place to fill up, you need a tool that calculates the actual cost of the drive into the price. Apps like Cheep! Gas are designed to do this for you, ensuring the station it recommends is genuinely the most economical option for your car.