Between commuting, running errands, and visiting friends, fuel costs add up quickly. While changing how often I drive or buying a more fuel-efficient car could help, I wanted to find ways to spend less without making those kinds of compromises.
I don’t want to go out of my way to save a few cents on fuel, but comparing prices at nearby gas stations and being a little smarter about my routes can make a difference.
Google Maps has a few handy features that help me do exactly that.
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Google Maps finds more fuel-efficient routes
I don’t always take the fastest route
Google Maps can recommend a route based not just on how quickly I can reach my destination, but also on how much fuel the journey is likely to consume.
To use it, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, and go to Settings > Navigation > Route options. Toggle on the Prefer fuel-efficient routes option.
After it’s switched on, Maps considers fuel efficiency alongside factors such as real-time traffic, road conditions, and route simplicity when suggesting directions.
I also save my car’s engine type in Maps. To do this, go to Settings > Your vehicles and select the appropriate engine type, such as petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric.
Different engines perform differently, depending on the driving conditions. For instance, diesel vehicles tend to be more efficient on highways, while hybrids can benefit from city traffic and hilly roads thanks to regenerative braking.
Compare gas prices before filling up
Avoid overpaying at the pump
Gas prices can vary considerably between stations, even within the same neighborhood.
Checking a few nearby options before filling up can help you find a better price without making a special trip or changing your usual routine.
Google Maps makes it easy to compare options before deciding where to stop. Open the app and search for gas stations or gas near me to see nearby fuel stations. Select a station to check its business details and its listed fuel prices.
On the mobile app, tap the Gas shortcut below the search bar. Selecting a station opens its listing with price information for various fuel grades, including regular, premium, and diesel.
This feature is available in the United States and Canada, and Google Maps added fuel-price information in the United Kingdom in October 2026.
For drivers who want more detailed comparisons, GasBuddy is another option. The app lets you search for nearby stations and sort results by price or distance, making it useful for checking whether Google Maps has surfaced the best deal.
I check traffic before leaving
Avoid rush-hour traffic
Traffic congestion doesn’t just eat into my time; it can also increase fuel consumption by keeping me on the road longer. Stop-and-go traffic, frequent braking, and prolonged idling can all affect fuel consumption.
I can’t always avoid busy roads, but checking traffic before setting off helps me choose a better departure time and route.
Google Maps makes this easy with its Traffic layer. I open the app, tap the Layers icon in the upper-right corner, and select Traffic under Map details.
If my usual route shows heavy congestion, I can check alternative roads or consider leaving a little later if my schedule allows.
Maps also has a handy feature that lets me estimate traffic conditions based on when I plan to leave or when I need to reach my destination.
After entering a destination and tapping Directions, tap the shortcut below it and select the time.
For example, if I have an appointment at 9 a.m., I can select Arrive and set that time. Maps estimates a suitable departure time, helping me avoid leaving too late and getting caught in rush-hour traffic.
If I’m more flexible, I can use Leave to compare how the journey might look at different departure times and choose a less congested window.
Combine errands instead of making unnecessary detours
I plan multiple stops in one trip
Planning my errands together is another way to save on gas by avoiding multiple trips for things I could take care of in one outing.
If I need to pick up groceries, collect a package, and stop by a pharmacy, making three separate journeys can add unnecessary miles to my day. Combining these stops into one trip is a simple way to cut down on driving without giving up what I need to get done.
To do this, I search for my first destination in Maps, select Directions, tap Add stop, and enter the other places I need to visit.
You can add up to nine stops and drag them into a different order if you want to change the sequence.
This is useful when I have errands spread across different parts of town. I see all my destinations on the map, get an overview of the route, and decide whether it makes more sense to visit one area before moving on to another.
I can also search for places along my existing route, which is handy if I need to find a grocery store, gas station, or another stop without going too far out of my way.
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Small changes can add up
Google Maps cannot eliminate fuel costs, and its estimates will not always reflect what happens on the road.
Still, it offers several useful tools for making driving more economical. Its gas-price comparisons, fuel-efficient routing, traffic information, and multiple-stop directions can help you avoid unnecessary expenses.