Gas is currently around $3.67 nationally and $3.23 in Missouri.
While gas prices in Missouri are lower than the national average, the same thing remains — the price at the pump is increasing and it doesn’t look like it’ll slow down any time soon.
Gas prices can fluctuate up and down throughout the week, even sometimes in a day. If you’re looking to save money on your next trip to the pump, here are the best days experts recommend to get your gas.
GasBuddy, which tracks prices at more than 150,000 gas stations nationally, analyzed gas price patterns and found that purchasing gas earlier in the week is statistically cheaper than purchasing toward the end of the week, often 4 to 9 cents a gallon less.
More: Paying too much for gas? These 10 tips will help you save money.
“Gas prices don’t just move based on global oil markets — they also follow a weekly rhythm,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted. “For most drivers, Sunday is the safest bet for finding lower prices, while filling up midweek can mean paying more.”
National and international events generally impact the price of gas in America, but De Haan said some states do ebb and flow before another spike comes, hiking the prices up.
GasBuddy found that gasoline prices start low on Sunday and Monday. Then, by midweek, particularly Wednesday through Friday, it tends to be more expensive. By Saturday, the stations start to reset their prices.
The reason for this, De Haan said, is tied to gas-price competition.
“These states experience sharper and more predictable weekly swings,” De Haan said, adding that “if drivers notice a big jump, patience can pay off. Waiting several days after a spike often leads to better prices.”
De Haan said to be on the lookout for gas prices five to seven days after a spike, as the price can be as low as 15 to 45 cents per gallon.
You also can use apps, like GasBuddy’s Find Cheap Fuel app, that tell you where to find lower prices.
Here are a few tips on how to save on gas, courtesy of AAA:
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Plan routes ahead of time
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Avoid peak traffic hours when possible
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Combine errands into one trip
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Use cruise control on highways
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Maintain proper tire pressure
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Remove unnecessary heavy items from vehicles
This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: High gas prices squeezing your wallet? Try these days for cheaper gas