Gas prices fluctuate, but one cost-cutting method remains consistent: driving less. While that doesn’t always mean fewer trips, it can mean smarter ones. Planning efficient routes for your daily errands is one of the easiest ways to reduce fuel consumption, limit idle time, and stretch your gas budget without sacrificing convenience.

Why smarter routing matters

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, unnecessary driving and inefficient trip planning are key contributors to wasted fuel. Cold starts, backtracking, and driving in heavy traffic all lower your vehicle’s miles per gallon (MPG) and increase the amount you spend at the pump.

Small changes that make a big impact:

• Batch your errands instead of spreading them over multiple days
  
• Start with the farthest destination and work your way back home
  
• Avoid peak traffic times to reduce idle time at intersections
  
• Limit cold starts by combining trips into a single outing
  
• Map the most efficient route before leaving the house
  

Use navigation apps to optimize your route

Modern navigation tools do more than get you from point A to B—they help you save fuel in the process.

• Google Maps offers fuel-efficient routing options and real-time traffic updates.
  
• Waze uses community-driven data to suggest the fastest route with the least stop-and-go traffic.
  
• Route4Me is ideal for delivery drivers or those with multiple stops, offering optimized routing for up to hundreds of locations.
  

These apps help you reduce miles driven, limit time in traffic, and avoid unnecessary detours—all of which add up to better gas mileage.

Avoid common fuel-wasting behaviors

Even well-planned routes can be undermined by inefficient habits. Avoid:

• Letting the engine idle while waiting outside stores
  
• Circling parking lots looking for the “perfect” spot
  
• Detouring last-minute for items that weren’t on your list
  

These habits not only cost you gas, but also time.

Combine with fuel rewards and cashback tools

Although this post focuses on route efficiency, you can boost your savings further by pairing it with reward programs. For example, loyalty programs like BPme Rewards or Fuel Rewards at Shell help reduce your price per gallon.

You can also earn cashback with a BP gift card through Fluz or use a Fluz virtual card via Apple Pay or Google Pay to receive up to 1.5% cashback on your fuel purchase—no gift card required.

The bottom line

Driving less isn’t the only way to save gas—driving smarter can be just as effective. By taking a few minutes to plan your route, using traffic-aware navigation tools, and combining trips, you’ll cut fuel use, save time, and lower your monthly expenses. It’s a simple habit that pays off every time you get behind the wheel.