Save money on gas for Memorial Day weekend with these deals

• Retail memberships like Walmart+ and Amazon Prime offer fuel discounts at participating gas stations.
• Wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club provide members with consistently lower gas prices.
• Grocery store loyalty programs and cashback apps can help you save money on every fill-up.

Memorial Day weekend is historically a peak travel time. For many people, that means road trips to the beach or a relaxing staycation for the long holiday weekend. However, with rising oil prices, staying on budget is getting tougher by the day.

While the USA TODAY Shopping team has you covered with the weekend's best deals on big-ticket items like outdoor furniture and major appliances, we also want to help you save money on gas.

From exclusive membership perks to simple money-saving tips, here is how to keep your fuel tank full and your wallet happy this Memorial Day.

How to save money on gas this Memorial Day weekend

• Paid memberships with fuel perks
• Wholesale club gas savings
• Grocery and big box loyalty rewards
• Best cashback and gas finder apps
• Easy ways to boost vehicle efficiency

Paid memberships with fuel perks

Some of the most powerful fuel-saving tools might already be sitting in your pocket. Today, popular retail subscriptions offer a lot more than just free shipping or streaming deals—they provide tangible, everyday value with significant discounts right at the pump. By turning your monthly or annual membership into a recurring win on gas, these savings can easily add up to cover the cost of the subscription itself.

1. Walmart+ fuel savings

A Walmart+ membership provides an instant discount of $0.10 per gallon at more than 13,000 participating stations nationwide, including Exxon and Mobil. Beyond these partnered stations, members also save between $0.05 and $0.10 per gallon at Walmart and Murphy USA locations.

In addition, one of the most underrated perks of the program is that it grants subscribers access to member-only pricing at over 500 Sam’s Club fuel centers, allowing you to bypass the need for a separate warehouse membership while still enjoying their competitive rates. To unlock these savings, you simply use the Walmart app to scan a QR code at the pump or enter a specific ID code before you fuel up.

Walmart+ membership

Save $0.10 per gallon at gas stations nationwide with a Walmart+ membership. Sign up for Walmart+

2. Amazon Prime fuel savings

Amazon Prime members can save $0.10 per gallon at roughly 7,500 locations across the country, including bp, Amoco and ampm stations. To activate this perk, you must link your Prime account to a free Earnify account (bp’s loyalty program), which essentially doubles the standard $0.05 discount offered to non-Prime Earnify users. Once linked, the savings are applied automatically when you enter your phone number at the pump or use the Earnify app to pay.

Even better, Amazon is currently offering a bonus Fuel Up Friday promotion, where these fuel savings are now $0.20 off per gallon on Fridays through May 29.

Amazon Prime Membership

Save $0.10 per gallon at gas stations nationwide with an Amazon Prime membership. Plus, Amazon is offering Fuel Up Fridays, where these savings are now $0.20 off per gallon. Sign up for Amazon Prime

Wholesale club gas savings

If you want consistent savings, warehouse clubs are hard to beat. Their member-only pumps often undercut local gas stations by $0.10 to $0.30 a gallon. To maximize the value, pair those low daily rates with the store’s branded credit card—it's an easy way to turn standard memberships into a serious double-whammy discount on gas and groceries.

1. Sam's Club fuel savings

A Sam's Club membership provides exclusive access to over 500 fuel centers where prices are typically $0.10 to $0.30 lower than the local average. One of the biggest perks for Sam's members is the Scan & Go feature in the Sam’s Club app, which allows you to pay for gas directly from your phone to skip the keypad and lines.

For those looking to double-dip on savings, the Sam’s Club Mastercard offers a massive 5% back in Sam’s Cash on gas purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year). This means you aren't tethered only to Sam’s Club pumps—you can earn that 5% back even when you're forced to fill up at a different station while traveling.

Sam's Club Membership

Enjoy access to Sam's Club fuel stations and save big at the pump with this practical club membership. Sign up for a Sam's Club Membership

2. Costco fuel savings

A standard Costco Gold Star membership grants you access to Costco Gas Stations, which are famous for their Kirkland Signature fuel—a TOP TIER certified gasoline designed to clean your engine and optimize performance. While the membership doesn't offer a "cents-off" points system like grocery stores, Costco’s base price is consistently among the lowest in any market, often saving members $0.10 to $0.30 per gallon compared to nearby name-brand stations.

To maximize these savings, members can use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which recently boosted its rewards to an impressive 5% cash back on gas purchased at Costco (and 4% at other gas stations/EV charging) on the first $7,000 spent per year.

Costco Membership

Save big at the pump with Costco fuel discounts at any one of the retailer's gas centers. Sign up for a Costco Membership

3. BJ's Wholesale fuel savings

A standard BJ’s Wholesale Club membership offers immediate relief at the pump with "Everyday Low Prices" that typically sit about $0.10 below local competitors. Beyond the base discount, the Fuel Saver Program allows you to stack savings by purchasing eligible grocery and household items, with each qualifying product knocking an additional $0.10 off per gallon for your next fill-up. By timing your shopping with these stackable items or taking advantage of seasonal "spend and save" promotions, you can significantly lower your fuel costs.

While a basic membership provides full access to these perks, upgrading to a Club+ tier or using a BJ’s One Mastercard can unlock an automatic, stackable discount of up to $0.15 off every time you fuel up.

BJ's Wholesale Membership

A BJ's Wholesale Membership offers several layers of gas savings that go beyond just the "member-only" price at the pump. Sign up for a BJ's Membership

Grocery and big box loyalty rewards

Programs like Kroger and Safeway turn every dollar spent into fuel points redeemable at their pumps or partners like Shell. To maximize savings, shop during "4x Points" gift card events—buying cards for services you already use can quickly earn you $1.00 or more off per gallon.

For those who prefer a specific brand, linking your Shell Fuel Rewards account to their dining or travel partners earns "cents-off" rewards on everyday purchases. When stacked with the base Gold Status discount, you can consistently save $0.05 to $0.10 per gallon every time you fill up.

Best cashback and gas finder apps

Your phone is secretly one of the best tools you have to fight rising fuel costs. Leveraging cash-back and gas-finder apps is a tried-and-true strategy to secure significant savings every time you fill up. By tracking prices in real time, you can completely bypass the pricey "highway tax" at expensive stations. Here are a few of our favorite apps to download before you hit the road:

• Upside: This app remains the "king" of fuel apps for earning actual cash back rather than just points. Simply "claim" an offer in the app before you fill up and pay with your usual card to see rewards—often ranging from $0.11 to $0.25 per gallon—hit your account within days. With a network of nearly 50,000 businesses, it’s the perfect tool for "double-dipping" alongside your favorite gas station's loyalty program.
• GasBuddy: This app remains the gold standard for real-time price tracking, letting you know exactly what the sign says before you turn the corner. Driven by millions of "GasBuddies" who report local prices daily, the data stays incredibly fresh and reliable. For the biggest wins, watch for "Flash Deals" that can knock up to $0.30 off per gallon, or use the built-in Trip Cost Calculator to map out the cheapest stops for your next road trip.
• Google Maps: This popular app now uses AI-driven "Ask Maps" to help you find the cheapest gas on your route while filtering for extras like clean restrooms or car washes. You can even use its 3D Immersive View to scout station entrances and avoid traffic before you arrive.
• Waze: For a community-driven approach, this app excels at finding hidden gem stations off the main highway, relying on real-time price updates from fellow drivers to ensure accuracy.

Easy ways to boost vehicle efficiency

To maximize your fuel savings, you can equip your vehicle with a few key items that ensure it's running at peak efficiency. From small maintenance tech to fuel system treatments, here is a quick shopping list of the best tools to help you get more miles out of every single tank:

1. Fuel system cleaners and treatments

Over time, carbon deposits can build up in your engine, disrupting fuel flow and lowering your MPG. A high-quality cleaner can help restore your car’s original efficiency.

• K&N Performance+ Fuel System Cleaner: Formulated in the USA to safely clean all engine types, this high-performance fuel injector cleaner removes carbon buildup to restore lost power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
• STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner: Ideal for use every 4,000 miles, this complete fuel system cleaner uses advanced PEA and PIBA detergents to deliver twice the cleaning power of premium gasoline, inhibiting corrosion and removing performance-robbing deposits for maximum efficiency.
• Royal Purple Max Clean: A premium synthetic treatment that deep-cleans the entire fuel system and can help stabilize fuel if your car sits for long periods.

2. Precision tire pressure tools

Since dipping tire pressure can quietly hurt your gas mileage, keeping an accurate gauge and a compact inflator in your trunk is an easy way to protect your wallet.

• AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: An affordable, highly-rated digital tool that provides instant, easy-to-read measurements in 0.5 PSI increments.
• Avid Power Portable Tire Inflator: A top-rated cordless pump that lets you top off your tires anywhere, ensuring you never have to pay for air at a gas station again.
• JACO ElitePro Tire Gauge: A heavy-duty, battery-free analog option known for its extreme accuracy and rugged durability.

3. Performance air filters

Clean airflow is essential for optimal fuel economy. When a clogged filter restricts your engine's ability to breathe, it forces the system to work twice as hard—and that translates directly to wasted gas.

• K&N High-Flow Air Filter: These washable, reusable filters are designed to increase airflow. While they have a higher upfront cost, they can last the lifetime of your vehicle and save you money on replacements.
• Wix Engine Air Filter: A favorite among mechanics for its superior sealing technology, ensuring that only clean air reaches your engine for optimal combustion.

4. Diagnostic "Smart" tools

When it comes to wasting gas, some of the worst offenders are completely invisible—hidden sensor malfunctions that quietly throw off your engine's efficiency. Equipping yourself with a reliable diagnostic scanner lets you check your vehicle's health periodically, translating hidden trouble codes into immediate fuel savings:

• BlueDriver Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner: This small plug-in tool connects to your phone to show you exactly how your engine is performing. It can alert you to faulty oxygen sensors or other "check engine" issues that might be silently tanking your gas mileage.

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