It’s Labor Day weekend … if you are planning to join the thousands who are setting their GPS’s to destinations near and far, here are a few sites and apps to help you get the best prices for gas to get you there. For that matter, even if you are staying put this weekend, these links are great for your day-to-day-go-to-work-school-errands etc.  Regardless, lower prices are out there, you just need to tools to find them.

Use these websites and apps to find the cheapest gas near you any time of the year.

LOWEST GAS PRICES FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND SINCE 2004!

Living in summer vacation-land, we are accustomed to gas prices spiking during our peak seasons. But, according to the U.S. Department of Energy  travelers all in many regions, including ours here in the Northeast, will see the lowest gas prices for Labor Day weekend since 2004:

The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline was $2.51/gallon (g) on August 31, the lowest price for the Monday before Labor Day since 2004, and 95¢/g lower than the same time last year. Declines in crude oil prices are the main driver behind falling U.S. gasoline prices. Lower crude oil prices reflect concerns about economic growth in emerging markets, expectations of higher oil exports from Iran, and continuing actual and expected growth in global crude oil inventories.

USE THESE WEBSITES TO FIND THE LOWEST PRICES FOR GAS IN YOUR TRAVEL AREA

Of course prices vary around the country with the West Coast seeing highest prices and  the Gulf Coast seeing the lowest prices, so how can you find the best prices in your area?

Consumer Reports recommends these resources:

• The Automobile Club of America directs you to the proper state AAA chapter based on zip code. Your chapter may have its own gas-price finder. If not, go to the California AAA site, which serves other states. It can show prices within a 3, 5, and 10-mile radius of an intersection you name.
• GasBuddy.com links to gas-price sites in Canada and the U.S. by specific state or province, county, or parish. Gas Buddy tracks only regular gasoline and diesel fuel. Some tested locations returned only regular gas price data, while others returned no information.
• Automotive.com highlights the lowest prices for each grade within your area when available. Prices per grade were spotty, at best, in our nationwide sampling.
• GasPriceWatch.com also spotlights the best local price, and it also lets you sort your results to find the most recently posted prices.

USE THESE APPS TO FIND THE BEST GAS PRICES FROM YOUR MOBILE DEVICE

According to CNN Money the five best apps for finding the best gas prices are:

• Waze gets its data from its users. The popular crowd-sourced navigation app lets you know how much you’ll pay for gas as you travel, and it can direct you to the cheapest gas station. By navigating to partner gas stations, the app offers “Waze-only” deals.
• Dash. The vehicle information service tells you everything about your car — and throws in where to get the cheapest gas for good measure. Dash’s tiny sensor connects to any car model made in 1996 or after, plugging in just underneath the steering wheel. The app provides useful driving information: What your “check engine” light means, how you’re driving, and how much gas you’re using.
• MapQuest Gas Prices. Yup, MapQuest is still around. And it has one of the best apps for finding cheap gas prices. MapQuest lets you choose favorite stations and select your fuel grade, and then it directs you to the cheapest gas station in your area. But if you want its app to navigate you to the gas station of your choice, you’ll also need the MapQuest GPS app.
• Gas Guru . If you’re into saving money on gas but not interested in doing any work, consider Gas Guru. The app draws its gas price information from the Oil Price Information Service, so the prices are always up to date. The Gas Guru app provides directions to the cheapest gas station near you, and you can share your savings with friends on Facebook (FB, Tech30) if you’re into bragging about stuff like that.
• GasBuddy. By far the best-known gas price app is GasBuddy. The crowd-sourced app asks people to enter the prices they pay at the pump. GasBuddy then lists the gas stations in your area, letting you find the one with the lowest price. The app incentivizes people to post gas prices by offering a weekly drawing for a $100 gas card. GasBuddy gives users points every time they post prices. They need to report about six or seven gas prices to be eligible for the drawing. GasBuddy has a strong following, but its app feels a bit dated.

Regardless of which app or website you use, USE one.  Prices in some places are higher because they are more convenient to tourists not familiar with the area, but suppose just one exit away the prices are lower?  Find the best prices; take advantage of the savings.  It’s your money, you work hard for it and it feels good to keep a little more in your pocket or have a little more to spend. You deserve it!

Drive safely and have a great weekend!