As gasoline prices surge amid rising geopolitical tensions, analysts say drivers can still save money by carefully choosing the day they fill up.
According to a recent analysis by GasBuddy, which tracks prices at more than 150,000 gas stations nationwide, Sunday and Monday are statistically the cheapest days to buy gasoline. In some cases, prices on Saturday can also be relatively low.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said gasoline prices are influenced not only by global oil markets but also by weekly pricing patterns.
“Gas prices don’t just move based on global oil markets—they also follow a weekly rhythm,” De Haan said. “For most drivers, Sunday is usually the safest bet for finding lower prices.”
The analysis found that gasoline prices tend to be lowest at the beginning of the week and gradually increase as the week progresses. Prices often peak between Wednesday and Friday, before declining again toward the weekend.
Experts say the pattern is partly driven by consumer behavior. Many drivers postpone filling up until later in the week due to busy weekday schedules, while others prepare for weekend road trips by refueling on Thursday or Friday, allowing gas stations to maintain higher prices despite strong demand.
GasBuddy estimates that drivers who take advantage of these weekly price patterns can save about 4 to 9 cents per gallon on average, and in some cases as much as 15 to 45 cents per gallon.
The trend is also linked to a phenomenon known as “price cycling.” In certain markets, gas stations repeatedly lower prices to attract customers and then sharply raise them during periods of higher demand before gradually lowering them again.
Experts recommend avoiding immediate refueling after a sudden price spike. Instead, waiting a few days often leads to lower prices.
They also advise drivers to keep an eye on their fuel gauge and plan refueling ahead of time rather than waiting until the tank is nearly empty.
In addition, mobile apps that track gasoline prices can help drivers locate the cheapest stations nearby, allowing them to reduce fuel costs.
