Gas Prices Surpass $4 In Summit. Here's How To Save At The Pump

SUMMIT, NJ — Gas prices have been soaring throughout New Jersey in the past week, and Summit is no exception.

The average price for gallon of regular gas in Union County is currently $4.40, according to AAA, and finding cheap gas may require Summit residents to travel outside the City.

According to GasBuddy, the cheapest place for gas in Summit is Raceway on 36 River Road for $4.47 per gallon. Delta on 19 Summit Ave and BP on 18 Morris Turnpike may be worth checking out for cheaper prices.

For those willing to travel a bit farther, the Costco on 1055 Hudson Street in Union offers $3.99 per gallon for regular gas. Check out more gas prices around Union County on GasBuddy.

How else can you save on gas right now?

The most obvious solution would be to drive less — bike, take public transport, etc. Some may even suggest buying a more efficient vehicle or opting for an electric car. However, these may not be simple solutions for everyone.

Here are some other ways to save at the pump:

1. Search around for cheap stations near you

As mentioned above, GasBuddy lists some cheaper stations in the area. Waze is also a great option to find alternative stations.

Besides Costco, here are some relatively cheap stations in Union County, according to GasBuddy.

• Express Fuel, 2674 Morris Ave (Union), $4.15 per gallon
• Sunoco, 401 North Ave E (Cranford), $4.15 per gallon
• Lukoil, 155 West 1st Ave (Roselle), $4.19 per gallon
• Exxon, 1413 US-22 E (Mountainside), $4.19 per gallon

2. Schedule your fill-up

According to GEICO, the day you decide to fill up can make a major price difference.

Wednesday is typically the best day to fill up, as prices tend to rise on Thursdays before weekend travel, Lauren Fix told GEICO.

However, a 2019 GasBuddy analysis found Mondays and Tuesdays were the best days to save. Regardless, it seems getting gas earlier in the week tends to yield cheaper results than waiting to fill up over the weekend.

3. Pay with cash

By paying with cash, you might end up paying a little less. Some stations charge slightly less for cash because they save on credit-card fees.

4. Join a rewards program

Many gas station chains offer fuel-rewards programs. So do some grocery stores — buy groceries, then redeem for gas. GEICO also suggests checking gift-card resale sites. You may, for example, find a gas card worth $100 for $90.

5. Don't top it off.

Stop pumping when you hear the first click, GEICO suggests. In the case of people in New Jersey, where self-service isn't available (yet), make sure your attendant follows this rule.

Read more: NJ Self-Serve Gas Bill Is About Choice, Assemblymember Says

Those extra squeezes are likely to splash out or evaporate, according to the insurance company. Screwing the gas cap back until it clicks ensures fuel won't escape as fumes.

6. Follow the 10-second rule.

Don't idle. Idling drains your tank by a quarter- to a half-gallon per hour, whereas restarting only takes 10 seconds' worth of gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Even in the winter, there's little need to spend time "warming up" the engine before driving, according to GEICO. Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after 30 seconds, the company says.

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