High gas prices are straining budgets all across Canada, but using public transit, taking rideshares, and even improving your driving habits are relatively easy ways to save money on gas. Plus, the right credit card will optimize the points you earn on gas, putting more money back in your pocket.
This article offers a wide range of suggestions for cutting back on your gas spending, including actionable steps you can take today. Plus, we'll highlight the best credit cards that reward your fuel purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Limit your trips to the gas station by using public transit, rideshare services, or carpooling.
- Download a gas comparison app to find the cheapest gas in your immediate area.
- Pay for gas with a rewards credit card that has increased earn rates for gas or transit.
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Cut into high gas prices by driving less
It may seem obvious, but the number one way to beat high gas prices and save money is to drive less.
Consider the advantages of carpooling: you'll reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, save on parking, and shorten your commute by using HOV lanes.
Take public transportation
Sure, you'll have to buy a fare pass, but it's a cost-effective trade-off since you'll save on vehicle ownership costs, including gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, and parking (none of which are cheap).
Plus, if you purchase public transit with a credit card that has a bonus reward for that category, you can earn rewards on your commute.
Take a look at the best cards for public transit:
| Card | Public transit reward | Rewards program |
|---|---|---|
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card | 5 points per $1 spent | BMO Rewards |
| BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | 4% cash back (up to $300 spent/month) | N/A - cash back |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | 3 points per $1 spent | Scene+ |
| American Express Cobalt Card | 2 points per $1 spent | American Express Membership Rewards |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | 2% cash back | N/A - cash back |
Use a rideshare service or taxi
You can avoid all the costs associated with owning a car when you use popular ridesharing services or taxis to get around. This may not be the most economical choice, but even if you only use these transportation services occasionally, it can save you quite a bit of money.
This Lyft article lays out detailed information on the costs of rideshare vs. car ownership. Keeping in mind that these are all American prices, here's what the article claims car owners spend each month:
- Car payment: $748 (new vehicle)
- Insurance: $195
- Gas: $95.40
- Maintenance and repairs: $75
- Parking: $20 - $75
- Monthly total: $917.40
- Annual total: $11,008.80
And here's what the article claims rideshare users spend each month:
- Daily commuters: $1,040
- Hybrid users: $640
- Weekend users: $480
Again, Canadian prices would be different, but this still gives an idea of how much you can save.
Use a carshare program
Cardshare programs allow you to pick up a car and drive it to your destination for much less than it would cost to rent from most large vehicle rental agencies. Some programs run on a subscription model, while others function more like a rental service.
Plus, many carshare services include gas and insurance in the price of use. Not all do, though, so be sure to read the terms and conditions to determine whether you're required to refuel before returning the vehicle.
A few of the most popular carshare programs and services are:
Work from home
Even if your employer doesn't support full-time remote work, it doesn't hurt to find out if you can implement a hybrid schedule and work from home a few days a week. The fuel savings can add up.
If this isn't an option and you consider a job change, keep an eye out for remote, hybrid, or local roles. In addition to saving on gas, you'll save on the commute time, too.
Make the switch to an electric vehicle
If you want to go all in on saving on gas, the most full-bore commitment would be trading in your gas-powered vehicle for one that runs exclusively on electricity.
Using CAA's convenient tool, and using Ontario as the province of residence, we calculated these ownership prices for various types of vehicles:
These costs include depreciation, maintenance, and fuel.
It's true that the upfront costs of an electric vehicle can be steep, but the savings more than make up for them over time. And a nice bonus with an electric car is that your rates are stable, with changes that are gradual and foreseeable – no wild fluctuations in what you'll pay.
As an example, a Team Genius member owns a Hyundai Ioniq 5. He gets an average efficiency of 19 kilowatt hours per 100 km. Electrical rates vary by province, but a rough Canadian average is 17 cents per kWh.
For every 1,000 km you drive, that would cost an EV owner $32.30.
A similar gas-powered vehicle would cost somewhere in the neighbourhood of 8 litres per 100 km. The price of gas varies wildly over the course of a year and where you live. If you go with $1.70/L as your fuel price, those same 1,000 km suddenly cost you $136 – more than 4 times the amount for an EV.
Use a gas tracker app to find the best gas prices
As with many big expenses, it can pay to comparison shop around for your gas purchases. Download a gas tracker app, which shows you the cheapest gas prices in your immediate area.
These are a few such apps and sites popular with Canadians:
Be sure to take advantage of rewards programs offered by various gas stations, too. We've calculated that the PC Optimum program, used by Esso and Mobil stations, is the best option, offering redemption values of up to 0.21 cents per point (CPP).
Improve your driving habits
This may surprise you, but one of the best and easiest ways to save money on gas prices is to change your driving habits. Even just a few small changes can significantly improve your car's fuel efficiency and reduce trips to the pump.
Here are a few strategies to try:
- Don't warm up your vehicle for too long: Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to run your vehicle for an extended period of time to warm it up. In most cases, 20 to 30 seconds is enough to get things lubricated, but in cold temps, you don't need to run the vehicle for more than a minute.
- Refuel before you're running on empty: Instead of coasting to the station on fumes, plan ahead to fuel up so you can locate the station with the cheapest gas, not just the one that's closest to you in a pinch.
- Keep your vehicle maintained: Your car's fuel efficiency drops when the tires are underinflated, so checking the air pressure regularly is a super cheap way to save on gas. While you're at it, keep the engine tuned to improve fuel economy by around 4%.
- Remove excess weight: Carrying excess weight wastes gas – it's as simple as that. In fact, for every 100 pounds in your trunk, fuel efficiency drops by 1 to 2%. This means that if you don't need something for your trip, don't take it! Oh, and if you have a roof rack you're not using, take it off since it can reduce fuel efficiency by 5%.
- Practice safe driving habits: If you tend to be a little aggressive behind the wheel, practice restraint. Avoid hard braking and slamming your foot down on the pedal, which can burn through fuel faster.
Pay for gas with a credit card that rewards you
Gas and transit are popular reward categories for many credit cards, but these are the cards that offer the best value:
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Reward for fuel | Annual Fee, Income Requirements | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card | 10% cash back for the first 4 months, first year annual fee rebate (terms) | 4% cash back | * $120 * $60,000 personal income * $100,000 household income | Learn more |
| More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite | Up to 20,000 bonus points (terms) | 8 points per $1 | * $0 * $60,000 personal income * $100,000 household income | Learn more |
| American Express Cobalt Card |  $100 GeniusCash + Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | 2 points per $1 | * $191.88 * $0 personal income * $0 household income | Learn more |
| Tims Mastercard | $20 Tims digital gift card (terms) | 5 points per $1 | * $0 * $0 personal income * $0 household income | Learn more |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | 2 points per $1 | * $250 * $0 personal income * $0 household income | Learn more |
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
×1 Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
1x Award winner Join and earn up to $400 in value including a first-year annual fee rebate.†
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card offers 4% back, which is one of the highest rates you can get on gas with a credit card. If you want to save even more on gas by driving less and taking public transit, you'll earn 2% back. Cardholders also get a 10-cent discount on fuel at participating gas stations with Journie Rewards.
Just be aware that both cash back rates are capped at an annual spend of $80,000 – though this is a pretty generous amount for gas and transit.
More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite
The More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite provides impressive rates for both gas and EV charging – 8 More Rewards points per $1 – making it an excellent choice for nearly all types of vehicle owners. For owners of gas-powered vehicles, there's also a 3-cent discount at Petro-Canada.
Unfortunately, this card doesn't earn increased rewards for transit purchases. If you rely on public transportation, you'll want to consider a different card.
American Express Cobalt® Card
×9 Award winner 
GC: $100
9x Award winner As the overall best credit card in Canada, the American Express Cobalt Card gives you 2 points per $1 spent on gas and transit. Yes, there are other cards on this list that give you more points or cash back in these categories, but Amex Membership Rewards are more valuable than many people realize. Redemption options are worth between 0.91 and 2 CPP.
The solid welcome bonus, extensive insurance package, Amex benefits (Front of the Line, Amex Offers, etc.), also help this card shine. It's a well-rounded option, making it a good fit for nearly all users.
Tims® Mastercard
For those who prefer Mastercards, the Tims Mastercard is an excellent choice, offering 5 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, and transit. This even includes rideshares and taxis – oh, and groceries too. There's no annual fee either, so you're able to keep even more money in your pocket.
The only redemption option for Tims Rewards points is for in-restaurant purchases. Still, there are plenty of Mastercard and coffee-loving Canadians out there who can benefit from using this card.
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
When it comes to gas rewards, the American Express Gold Rewards Card gives you 2 points per $1 spent. You have several high-value redemption options for your American Express Membership Rewards, including transferring points to other travel programs, such as Aeroplan, for a maximum value of 2 CPP.
This is also one of the few cards that offers an annual travel credit. You can use the $100 credit towards any travel-related purchase made through Amex Travel. This might not help you with gas (it doesn't count as travel, unfortunately), but it helps save money in other areas, so you have more in your pocket for fuel.
FAQ
How can I save on gas?
There are a few ways to save on gas, such as reducing how much you drive, comparing gas stations and prices before fuelling up, and taking steps to make your vehicle more fuel-efficient and practicing better driving techniques. Paying for gas with a credit card that rewards your fuel purchases can also help.
What's a good gas price app to use in Canada?
There are several gas price apps you can try, but GasBuddy is one of the most popular options. Other top choices include the Waze and Fuelio apps, and CAA also has a website that lists the daily average Canadian gas price, along with the previous year, month, week, and day's averages.
What are the gas prices in Canada?
According to CAA at the time of writing (March 31, 2026), the price of gas is around 173.5 cents per litre. This is up from the average of 153.9 on this same date one year ago, and considerably higher than last month's average of 134.2/L.
Is gas cheaper in Canada or the USA?
Although the costs of crude oil and refining are similar in both countries, gas is generally taxed at a much lower rate in the U.S., making fuel cheaper there. Gas prices in Canada vary by province, though, and various gas station chains provide rewards programs and promos to help lower costs and attract customers.
How can I reduce the amount of gas I use?
To cut back on how much fuel you buy, try carpooling, using public transit, or taking rideshare/taxi services when possible. Although these have their own costs, you won't be paying for gas. You could also consider switching to an electric vehicle.
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