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High gas prices getting you down? Tech can help! If you’ve ever driven around trying to find the lowest gas prices, then you’re going to love Gasbuddy. Gasbuddy is a fantastic source for comparing gas prices and is available both in the US and Canada.
Why Should You Love Gasbuddy?
- You can access Gasbuddy from the Internet, mobile phone or a smartphone app.
- Gasbuddy has accurate gas prices and shows you how recently the gas prices were reported.
- Gasbuddy lets you search prices on a map or on a list.
- Gasbuddy allows you to search for prices based on different grades of gas: regular, midgrade, premium and diesel.
- You can search Gasbuddy by zip code.
- You can seach Gasbuddy by distance or price.
You can search Gasbuddy from your computer on the Internet at gasbuddy.com or from your smartphone with the Gasbuddy app. Gasbuddy makes apps for iPhones, Android phones and Windows Mobile phones. If you have a Palm, Blackberry or other smartphone, you can still access Gasbuddy by going to their mobile website: m.gasbuddy.com. (They even have a QR code on their website you can scan to download the app directly to your smartphone.)
Gasbuddy gets its information from Gasbuddy members who report gas prices at stations in their area. Members get points for reporting gas prices and each week Gasbuddy gives away a $250 gasoline gift card to a member as a reward for reporting gas prices. Whether it’s due to the satisfaction of helping others or the incentive of the gift card, Gasbuddy has lots of very active members. This means the information Gasbuddy provides is thorough and timely. Most reports on my Gasbuddy iPhone app were merely hours old.
How much does this amazing service cost? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. It’s absolutely free. The apps are free, the website is free. It’s all free. You don’t even have to register to get the information. If you want to report gas prices and have a chance of winning the gift card, then you do have to register as a member. But if you just want to get the gas prices from Gasbuddy, there is no need to register.
I compared Gasbuddy to the Sirius Travel Link that also provides local gas prices. (Travel Link is free for a trial period, on certain vehicles with a Sirius satellite radio subscription, and $1.99 a month after that.) Gasbuddy listed many more gas stations than Travel Link did and Gasbuddy’s prices were more accurate. The search features of Gasbuddy were better than Travel Link’s as well, because Travel Link only shows prices on a list, not on a map. The map feature is very helpful to see where the lowest prices are and to compare prices on your route so you don’t have to drive out of your way.
Gasbuddy is a free and convenient way for you to save money on gas. With rising gas prices, Gasbuddy could be your Killer App.
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Have you used tech to find the lowest prices on gas? Do you hunt down low prices or head to the gas station closes to you? Let us know in the Comments section below!
This article is part of The Wonder of Tech All Star series to satisfy your tech cravings while Carolyn is on vacation. This article is an update of an article that was originally published on The Wonder of Tech on March 8, 2011. You can access the article here if you would like to read the comments on the original version. You can leave comments below and Carolyn will respond after she returns from her vacation on August 20.
* Image by James Gentry
Maybe not a big difference for normal people, but definitely worth a lot for taxi drivers, couriers and the rest of folks that live behind the wheel like me. Thanks!
Hi Luke, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you will find Gasbuddy helpful. The more you drive, the more you will find Gasbuddy useful. As a mom of three kids, I find this app very useful as I’m in the car quite a bit!
Thank so much, Luke, for your visit and wonderful comment! 🙂
Pretty cool stuff; I’ve heard of it and will have to put it on my ‘soon to have’ list, huh?
I’m guessing you are still off the grid but hope you are having fun wherever it is.
Hi Bill, Good news, you don’t need a smartphone to use Gasbuddy. Just check out gas prices in your area before you leave your computer. Though if you do decide to get a smartphone, Gasbuddy would be a great app to load right away.
Thanks so much for your visit, helpful tweet and awesome comment!
This seems quite neat. It is amazing what one can do now with apps and stuff, hey? 🙂
Hi Gabriella, You’re absolutely right, it is amazing what one can do with apps. I tend to think of apps first when I have an issue. There’s usually “an app for that.”
Thanks so much for your visit and wonderful comment! 🙂
I kind of know the prices in my area, no need for an app if all you do is go to work and back. But it could come in handy when you go traveling. And you can’t beat the price – free.
Hi Lynn, You’re right, if you tend to travel in the same area all the time, you learn what the gas prices are. But the other day I was shocked that the gas station near me that usually has the highest gas prices in the area was 15¢ a gallon cheaper than the gas station that usually has the lowest gas prices.
So even if you think you know which stations have the cheapest prices, you may want to check out Gasbuddy every so often anyway.
Thanks so much, Lynn, for your visit and awesome comment! 🙂