We can save money on groceries, clothes and more, but gas is one of those things that seems tough to save on.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to save money on fuel. But is there a way to get gas for free?
There certainly is!
While gas stations aren’t just handing out free gas for nothing, there are plenty of ways you can get it for free or nearly free, with a little effort on your part.
If you’ve been wondering how to get free gas, then we’ve got you covered. With gas prices being so high (although during the COVID-19 pandemic the prices have fallen due to people staying home and not driving as much), these are great options for any driver to consider.
Now, we’re not talking about any kind of illegal activities like the famous “Gas Pump Trick” where there is supposedly a code for getting free gas (more on that later).
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We’re talking about totally legitimate and legal ways anyone can get free fuel.
And no there is no hack or trickery involved.
In today’s post I’ll cover all the ways you can get free and discounted gasoline.
Table of Contents
FreeGasUSA & FreeGasHelp!
Before we get to the list, I want to talk about a few places that I covered in my original post (this is an update that post which was originally published in 2018)
Back then, there were a couple of sites that used to give out free gas. These were pretty useful for people who were struggling with fuel costs.
Sadly, these sites are no longer functioning.
The top two free gas resources included:
- FreeGasHelp.com
- FreeGasUSA.org
So if you were wondering if these could help you out, sadly they’re not around anymore. But don’t worry as there are still plenty of options for getting gas for free!
Free Gas for a Year Sweepstakes
Here’s an easy way to get a chance to win free gas for a year.
There are sites and companies that run sweepstakes all the time and some of them offer free gas as their prize.
Advertisements
Here are a few examples:
- PRN & Autotrader Free Fuel for Freedom sweepstakes
- SweepsAdvantage.com
- Freeway Insurance Win Free Gas for a Year Sweepstake
Obviously, all sweepstakes have a deadline so if by the time you are reading this, the above contests have ended, don’t be discouraged. Just keep an aye on social media and other sweepstakes sites. Companies run promotional stuff like that all the time. Don’t forget to follow the big gas stations companies on social media so you can be notified when they do run sweepstakes and other promotional offers.
You can also enter these legit cash sweepstakes if you’d rather win cash instead of gas.
Pro tip: Many national gas station chains run free gas sweepstakes and giveaways from time to time. Do a quick Google search using the name of your favorite gas stations followed by “free gas sweepstakes”.
Entering sweepstakes doesn’t cost you anything and it takes less than a minute. Sure, not everybody wins, but I think it’s worth the 60 seconds it takes to fill out the sweepstakes forum for a chance to get free gas for a whole year.
Earn Free Gas Cards Online
One of the easiest methods for getting free gas is to earn yourself some free gas cards. These are basically gift cards you can use to pay for motor fuel rather than your regular debit card.
Here are a few ways to earn some free gift cards for popular gas stations.
1. Use Swagbucks to get free gas cards
Swagbucks tops our list because this site offers a huge selection of free gas cards.
Swagbucks is a reward site that pays you for doing lots of easy tasks, such as:
- Playing games
- Shopping online
- Browsing the internet
- Taking surveys
- Watching videos
- Completing offers
You can redeem your points for gift cards to gas stations like:
- Exxon
- Chevron
- Sunoco
Or you can have your earnings sent to your PayPal account and use the cash to get free fuel.
- Sign up for Swagbucks here.
2. Get free money for gas instantly with Qmee
If you need money for gas now, then give Qmee a try. Like Swagbucks, Qmee pays you for doing easy things, such as:
- Shopping online
- Searching the internet
- Taking surveys
The site has no minimum cash-out amount, so you can withdraw your earnings at any time.
So you can get your money sent to your PayPal account within minutes!
Use this money to purchase gas when you need it.
- Sign up for Qmee here.
3. Do easy tasks on InboxDollars for free gas money
InboxDollars will pay you for doing things like:
- Reading emails
- Completing surveys
- Playing games
- Shopping online
These are simple tasks, but you get paid!
You can have your money sent right to your PayPal account. And use that cash to get fuel for free!
- Sign up for InboxDollars here.
4. Earn free gas cards with InstaGC
Another place where you can get free gas cards is at InstaGC.
InstaGC gives you gift cards for completing simple tasks, like:
- Taking surveys
- Watching videos
- Shopping online
- Searching the web
There are more than 340 gift cards available on there, and sometimes the site has gas cards available.
- Sign up for InstaGC here.
5. Take surveys for free gas cards to Shell stations
PrizeRebel will give you points when you take surveys.
Points can be redeemed for gift cards.
You can get gift cards for lots of gas stations, like:
- Shell
- 76 Gas
- Esso
- Chevron
Or you can have your money sent right to your PayPal account, and use the cash to get gas at no cost.
- Sign up for PrizeRebel here.
Need more paying survey sites? Checkout this list of legit survey sites that actually work for earning extra cash that you can use for gasoline or whatever else you want.
Sign up for Store Reward/Loyalty Programs to Get Gas for Free
Another way to get free gas is to sign up for store loyalty programs. These give you points on your purchases that can be redeemed for free gas or discounts on fuel.
Here are some awesome store reward/loyalty programs that offer you free gas.
6. Safeway just for U program
Safeway just for U program gives you 1 point for every $1 you spend on grocery and pharmacy items and 2 points for every $1 you spend on gift cards.
When you earn 100 points you get one reward, which is either a discount on gas or groceries. One reward is 10¢ off per gallon, which you can redeem for up to $1.00 off per gallon.
7. Kroger Fuel Points Program
Kroger Fuel Points program gives you 1 fuel point for every $1 you spend and you earn 2 times the points on gift cards. You can then redeem the fuel points you’ve earned at any of Kroger’s fuel centers. You can also earn points at the brand’s pharmacy, at Fred Meyer Jewelers, and when you place an order online.
8. Alberton’s just for U program
Albertson’s just for U program gives you points when you shop. You can earn 1 point for every $1 you spend. You can get 2 points on every $1 you spend on gift cards too.
100 points is equal to 1 reward, which gets you 10¢ off per gallon. You can redeem for up to $1 off per gallon. You can also get free grocery items or discounts on your basket.
9. Stop & Shop Gas Rewards
Next, we have Stop & Shop Gas Rewards. This program gives you 10¢ off per gallon for every 100 points you earn. You can save up to $1.50 per gallon. You’ll get 1 point for every dollar you spend with your Stop & Stop card.
You can redeem your savings at a Stop & Shop or participating Shell station.
Your points are only valid for 30 days though, so make sure you spend them fast.
10. Winn-Dixie SE Grocers Rewards
Winn-Dixie SE Grocers Rewards + the Fuel Rewards program helps you to earn points that you can use to save money on fuel at Shell stations.
Every 100 points you earn gets you at least 5¢ per gallon off fuel at Shell. Plus, you can get instant Gold Status which means you’ll save an additional 5¢ per gallon at Shell on every fill.
11. Harris Teeter Fuel Points
Harris Teeter Fuel Points is a program that gives you 10¢ off per gallon on fuel purchases at Harris Teeter Fuel Centers and at participating BP and Amoco stations. You can save up to $1 per gallon, on a maximum of 35 gallons. There’s no limit to the number of fuel points you can earn in a month either, which is awesome.
12. Price Chopper Rewards
The Chopper Shopper Rewards program gives you points you can redeem for fuel discounts, which is great.
For every $1 you spend, you earn a point. You can redeem your fuel points at QuikTrip or Price Chopper fuel stations.
For every 100 points you earn, you can save 5¢ off per gallon of gas, up to 20 gallons.
13. Fred Meyer Fuel Program
The Fred Meyer Fuel program gives you points you can redeem for fuel discounts. As with the other programs in this section, the Fred Meyer Fuel Program gives you 1 point for every $1 you spend.
Once you’ve earned 100 points in a calendar month, you can redeem them for 10¢ off per gallon. You can redeem your points for just 1 discounted fuel purchase at a Fred Meyer Fuel center or Shell station, and you’re limited to one fill and a maximum of 35 gallons.
What’s great about the program is that you can choose how much you want to redeem. You can use all of your fuel points up to 1,000, on a single fill, which saves you up to $1.25 off per gallon. Or you can save some for later. And for example, fill one car with 600 fuel points, giving you a discount of 60¢ per gallon and then fill another car with the remaining 400 fuel points, giving you a discount of 40¢ per gallon.
You don’t get the option to choose how many fuel points to use at Shell. Instead, the maximum amount of points you have is redeemed when you fill at a Shell station, in increments of 100 points up to 1,000.
14. Shop ‘n’ Save Pump Perks
Shop ‘n’ Save Pump Perks is a program that gives customers 10¢ off per gallon for every $50 they spend in stores. The more you shop with your Perks Card, the more you save on fuel. You can redeem your perks at Sunoco stations.
15. Hy-Vee Fuel Saver+ Perks
The Hy-Vee Fuel Saver+ Perks card allows you to save money on gas, and also get exclusive deals and digital coupons. This program works in a slightly different way to some of the others in this section.
When you purchase certain items, you’ll earn discounts at the pump. And you’ll also get exclusive deals.
16. Cub Foods Fuel Rewards
Finally, we have Cub Foods fuel rewards. This program allows you to earn fuel rewards at the pump using your 10-digit phone number.
For every $100 you spend at Cub, you get 10¢ off per gallon of fuel the next time you fill up at participating Holiday Station store locations. If you spend $200, you’ll get 20¢ off and so on.
You can earn up to $1.50 off per gallon, up to 20 gallons.
Join Gas Station Reward Programs for Gas Discounts
You can also get free gas and discounts on fuel when you join gas station reward programs.
There are lots of gas stations that offer these loyalty programs to their customers.
Here are some gas station reward programs to consider:
17. Speedway Rewards
Speedway Rewards gives you points when you buy fuel and merchandise. You can use your Speedway Rewards card to make purchases and earn points that you can redeem for discounts on fuel with Fuel Rewards.
You earn 10 points per gallon of fuel you buy and 20 points per dollar spent on merchandise.
Each month you can get bonus points too on certain items and get more from your purchases.
18. Holiday Rewards
Holiday Rewards is a program that gives you 5¢ off per gallon every day. You also get “Buy One Get One Free” deals on a variety of food and drink items, from sandwiches to coffee.
19. Shell Fuel Rewards
With Shell Fuel Rewards, you can save 5¢ per gallon on every fill up at Shell.
That’s not all though. You can also earn 10¢ per gallon for every $50 you spend at participating restaurants with a linked credit card. And you can also earn discounts when you spend money on live tickets, groceries, wine, rental cars and more.
20. BPme Rewards
If you’re a member of BPme Rewards, then you can save money on every gallon each time you purchase gas at BP and Amoco stations. You can currently save 5¢ per gallon on every fill up.
Then you can keep that 5¢ reward going by spending $100 on fuel each calendar month.
Existing cardholders can save an additional 5¢ off per gallon when they combine their BP credit card with BPme Rewards.
21. Exxon Mobil Rewards
With Exxon Mobil Rewards, you can earn 3¢ in points at the pump. You can also earn 2¢ in points for every $1 spent on drinks and more
When you get Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Premium status, you can earn 6¢ per gallon in points on Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline. So to qualify, you need to fill up three times a month with 8 or more gallons.
22. Circle K Easy Rewards
Circle K Easy Rewards gives you 10 points per gallon and 20 points per dollar on snacks, food and non-alcoholic beverages. After earning 2,000 points, you get a $2 reward.
23. 76 Kickback Rewards
76 Kickback Rewards is a program that allows you to earn points on purchases. You can then spend these points like they’re cash at any of the store’s participating locations.
24. Maverik Adventure Club
The Maverik Adventure Club card allows you to save on fuel and earn freebies.
You’ll save 2¢ per gallon with the Adventure Club account and 6¢ per gallon with your Nitro account. You can also earn points when you purchase in-store items. You can redeem these points in-store.
25. QuikTrip Rewards Card
With the QuikTrip Rewards Card, you earn 1 reward point for every 2 gallons of qualified fuel you purchase.
You also earn a point for every $2 you spend on qualified merchandise.
Each point you earn is worth 1¢ off per gallon.
Use Reward Credit Cards
Some credit cards give you cashback on gas that you can use to get gas for free in the future.
If you are looking to get a credit card anyway, then you might want to consider one of these reward credit cards.
26. American Express Blue Cash Preferred
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card gives you 3% cashback at gas stations. That’s pretty awesome. You can put this money toward buying gas in the future.
Not only that, but this card also provides you with 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases.
27. Chase Freedom Card
The Chase Freedom card gives you 5% cashback, on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories you activate each quarter and unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases.
28. Discover It Card
The Discover It Card gives you cashback at select places throughout the year.
Currently, you can get 5% cashback at gas stations, on up to $1,500 in purchases, which is pretty great. And it also offers 5% cashback on groceries.
You can also earn 5% cashback at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Target.com on up to $1,500 in purchases. You can even get cashback from restaurants, Lyft, Uber, PayPal and more.
So you get free money to spend on gas.
Save Money on Gas with Discount Gift Cards
You can also save money on gas by using a discounted gift card to purchase fuel.
You pay less for a discount gift card than it’s face value. So you can pay just $25 for a $30 gift card, and you have $30 to spend!
Here are some websites where you can get discounted gas gift cards.
29. GiftCardGranny
GiftCardGranny offers gas gift cards for up to 18% off, which is pretty great.
There are gift cards available for lots of well-known brands, like:
- BP
- Chevron
- Exxon
- Sunoco
30. CardCash
CardCash has discounted gas cards available for lots of well-known brands, like:
- BP
- Shell
- Speedway
- Wawa
- Sunoco
31. Raise
Next, we have Raise. This site offers discount gift cards for lots of different gas stations, like Speedway and BP.
Other Ways to Get Free Gas
Okay, so above, I’ve given you lots of ways to get free or discounted gas. But there are still a few more tips for getting free gas that you can try.
32. Download the Gasbuddy app
Gasbuddy (review) is an app that you can use to find the cheapest gas prices near you. It covers more than 150,000 gas stations in North America. You can also earn free gas from the app, called GasBack.
You can save up to 25¢ per gallon on every gallon of gas using the free Pay with GasBuddy payments card. And there are special deals available from brands like Shell, Circle K, and BP.
33. Make free gas money just for having ads on your car
Wrapify is a company that will pay you to display ads on your car.
Here’s what you can earn depending on the wrap coverage level:
- Full wrap: $264 to $452 per month.
- Partial wrap: $196 to $280 per month.
- Lite: $181 to $280 per month.
After getting your car wrapped, which Wrapify does for you, this requires no extra effort on your part. You just drive your car as you normally would, and you’ll get paid!
You could use this money to buy gas!
- You can sign up for Wrapify here.
34. Look out for gas card offers
Some stores offer gas card product offers from time to time. For example, CVS sometimes offers a free $10 gas card when you purchase $30 worth of eligible products.
This can be a good way to get some free gas if the promotion includes things you buy anyway. So look out for these types of promotions, especially at times when gas prices are on the increase.
35. Contact the Salvation Army for gas vouchers
If you’re really struggling for cash and you need to get to work, or a medical appointment, or have some other commitment, then the Salvation Army may be able to help you.
Sometimes, the Salvation Army provides free gas vouchers to those who need them. These vouchers are limited. But you’re more likely to receive one if you need to get to an important commitment, like a job interview or to school. Contact your local Salvation Army center to ask about getting assistance with gas costs and transportation.
- Find your local Salvation Army here.
36. Ask United Way for assistance near you
Another way you can get assistance with fuel costs if you’re really in need is by using 211. It’s a free, confidential service from United Way that helps people across the USA find the local resources they need. So if you need help paying for fuel, get in touch with the organization and they may be able to assist you with getting free or low cost gas.
- Learn more about the 211 program here.
37. Get help paying for gas from local churches and religious organizations
Many local churches and religious charities help low income families with things like the cost of gas. So your local place of worship may be able to help you out.
These religious programs and churches, for example, have been known to help out low income families:
You could consider contacting your local church to see if they can help you with the cost of fuel.
Other Ways to Spend Less on Gas
Sure, getting free gas and discounts by the gallon is awesome. But there are a few other things you can do to reduce gas costs in your budget.
Whether you use Regular, Leaded, Unleaded, Diesel, or Bio-Diesel Fuel, these simple hacks can save you big bucks.
38. Drive steadily
Driving steadily is a good way to save money on gas. When you weave, brake suddenly, or rapidly accelerate, it wastes a lot of gas.
According to FuelEconomy.gov, which is the official US government source for fuel economy information, this type of driving can lower your gas mileage by 15% to 30% on highways and 10% to 40% in city or stop-and-go traffic. So drive steadily, and avoid aggressive driving.
39. Don’t speed
Speeding also affects your gas mileage. According to FuelEconomy.gov, while each vehicle reaches its best fuel economy at different speeds, at speeds above 50 mph, gas mileage usually decreases significantly. This means that for each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph, you pay an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas!
Sticking to the speed limit not only saves you money on gas, but it’s safer too.
40. Make sure your car is well-maintained
When your car is well maintained, it’ll use less gas. This saves you money on fuel. So keep the tires inflated properly, check the oil, etc. Doing this will make your car run more efficiently, using less gas!
And you don’t have to pay for airing your tires either. There are plenty of ways to get free air for tires.
41. Take alternative forms of transportation
When you next need to go somewhere, ask yourself whether you really need to drive there. For example, if you live close to the grocery store, consider cycling or walking there, if it’s safe to do so, of course.
It may also work out cheaper to take public transport to work. Where possible, try to minimize the number of miles you do in your car and you’ll spend less on gas.
42. Keep the windows up if you can
Your air-conditioning unit in your car is powered by the gas from your tank. So avoid using it if you don’t live somewhere that’s too hot. Also, opening the windows in the car can also make your car less fuel-efficient, because it increases wind resistance.
So if you don’t live in a super warm place, and you can safely avoid using the air conditioning or having the windows open, then do so. On short trips, this is often possible.
43. Purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle
In the long term, selling your car for one that has better gas mileage will save you money on fuel. I’d only recommend doing this though if you can afford it in your budget. You don’t want to take on more car payments and get yourself into debt. So only go with this option if it won’t strain your budget. You could also look for a quality used car that has better mileage, which doesn’t cost too much.
44. Combine trips
If you make lots of short trips that start with a cold engine, it uses more fuel. For example, if you drive to work in the morning, then go to the grocery store at lunch and then make a trip to a convenience store for some milk on your way home, you’ll use far more gas than if you made one longer trip with multiple stops over the same distance.
So if you can, pick up the groceries on the way to work. Or go to the convenience store once you’ve been to the gym. You’ll use much less gas.
45. Use the right motor oil
Using the recommended grade of motor oil can improve your gas mileage by 1% to 2%, according to the US Department of Energy. So make sure you check the car manufacturer’s recommendation for motor oil.
46. Use gas cashback apps
Ok, this one isn’t gonna get you 100% free fuel, but it will save you a lot of money per gallon. Many gas cashback apps will give you a certain amount of cashback for every gallon you put into your automobile.
It’s like getting free money for putting gas in your tank!
Some of the top apps that give you cashback for gas include Trunow and GetUpside. For a bigger list and tips for earning the most cashback, check out my list of top gas cashback apps.
47. Free Gas Coupons
We use coupons for a lot of things, but it seems like a lot of drivers totally forget about coupons when it comes to gas.
And what’s crazy is that there are a lot of coupons and promotional codes available both online and at your local gas stations.
To find digital coupons, simple visit any of these websites for coupons and search for “gas”. You’ll be given a list of all the current coupons and promo codes that you can use the next time your pumping gas.
“Free Gas Pump Code/Trick”: The Truth!
If you’ve ever searched about getting free gas, I’m sure you’ve come across sites talking about a “secret code” or a “trick” that can get you free gas at the pump.
For example, when you search for “how to get free gas reddit” or “how to get free gas video”, you’ll see a lot of posts on Reddit and videos on YouTube where users claim to show you a “neat trick” or “legal hack” that gets you totally free gas.
There is some truth that, at least when it comes to the story, not the effectiveness of the “trick”.
The story goes that, during the Nixon Administration, to help FBI agents keep their covers while keeping an eye on mafioso, they were given a secret code that they could use to get free gas at certain pumps in gas stations located in mafia hot spots.
And so according to this story a few of those “special” pumps are still in operation in gas stations around the country, and if you know the code/trick, you can get free gas from those same pumps.
The problem with this story is that…
Well, it’s just that, a story!
Nobody is able to find any hard evidence that such a program even existed in the first place.
Secondly, even if it were true, it was intended for FBI agents, not for any driver. So using the code when you’re not an agent is basically stealing.
And stealing is wrong!
Anyway, I just wanted to touch on that since I have seen a lot of people asking about it on social media and forums.
Closing Thoughts
If you want free gas, you will have to put in a little effort, whether it’s watching videos on Swagbucks or signing up for your local gas station’s reward program. But it’s only a little effort, and you get free gas in return!
It’s also good to know that if you’re really having financial difficulties that there are organizations out there like the Salvation Army, who may be able to provide you with assistance in your time of need.
And don’t forget about our tips for getting gas discounts and tips on saving money on fuel. All of it will help you to reduce the amount of money you’re spending at the pump and free up some cash in your budget.
Do you have any tips on how to get free gas? Then let us know in the comments section below.
Stephanie Kennedy
I’m so tired of doing survey’s and not getting PAID. I would love to know what are some reputable companies that are actually going to pay for the time I have been literally wasting. I am VERY survey- happy and honest in my thoughts. Please email me at kstephanie137@gmail.com
Satrap
Stephanie, I am sorry you had to deal with no paying sites. I published a list of 21 top survey sites that actually do pay. Check it out here: 21 Best online survey sites.
Justin Keffer
I’ve done tons of surveys and played millions of games on these pay apps like Swagbucks. After killing five cellphones with these apps, I’ve given up. I cannot make extra cash. I drive a motorized bicycle because I cannot afford a car or a driver’s license. I currently need gas money, but I cannot find anyone to help me. I’m autistic, and people only want to take advantage of me.
Rodney Miller
Your words are correct. There was never a gas program for so called FBI agents to get gas. It was for field agents who worked for the DOJ and the DOD, ATF. I myself worked undercover for the ATF, we were given codes for a unmanned gas station usually tucked away between a laundry mat and car wash. You pulled up, typed in your personal i.d. number for the department and another code for the gas pump you were using. There were about ten in the greater L.A. area. Taxi’s and limosene’s also used these stations. It was during the Reagan administration not Nixon.
James Medlin
Ugh, yet another article that has 40+ ideas that aren’t even relevant to the search. Guess what? I searched “free gas today” because I need HELP, not because I wanted to be referred to a bunch of ad sites under the guise of taking “surveys”. Clicking on ads is not taking a survey. Also, literally EVERY one of these options that requires me to already have money to spend is pointless. Instead of wasting people’s time with this nonsense, this article should just get to the point, which is that nobody cares about anyone else and will not help you get a few bucks worth of gas.
Saeed
I am sorry you feel that way, James. But sadly these are the only ways of getting gas for as close to free as possible. Like most other “free” things in the world, you still have to put some effort into it.