Episode 2 is all about how to save you money when you are driving to a gig/audition. Make sure to listen to the full podcast for tips on which gas programs to join, how to save at the pump, and protecting your car from wear and tear!
Table of Contents
Tips for Saving on Gas
Fill up in the ‘burbs! You’re going to save more if you follow the Goldilocks principal: not too close to downtown and not too far outside city limits. Those highway rest stops are also charging a convenience premium, so fill up before hitting the highway!
Look at state gas taxes before filling up! If you’re roadtripping from Wisconsin to Indiana, you’ll have to pass through Illinois. Illinois has the second highest gas tax in the country, which significantly affects the end cost per gallon. Make sure to fill up before and after driving through states like this if you can help it!
Join Free Gas Membership Programs! You can save 5¢/gal or more by simply signing up for a brand’s loyalty program. We love Speedway and Shell Rewards!
https://www.speedway.com/speedy-rewards
https://www.shell.us/motorist/ways-to-save/fuel-rewards-program.html
Join Paid Gas Membership Programs! Costco’s paid memberships offer some of the lowest gas rates in the country, so for the price of a membership you can save hundreds throughout the year! For longer trips, we plan gas stops based on the Costcos on route!
Consider Car Pooling! Have multiple friends in the same orchestra? This option can save you all a lot of money in the long run. On top of gas money, consider paying the driver a few extra dollars for car maintenance if you do this regularly, as the wear and tear will add up over time!
Check Your Credit Cards for Rebates! A lot of credit cards offer quarterly bonuses on rotating categories, including gas. Others will offer limited-time deals you have to click to add to your card, like the one pictured below. You can even take this a step further and load up on gas gift cards during your rebate period for future use!
Sign Up for Roadside Assistance Coverage! If your car breaks down, you get a flat tire, your battery dies, etc., services like AAA or Allstate will give you a tow to a mechanic so you don’t have to pay those hefty tow truck fees and depending on your membership level they may repair it on the spot. If you belong to a larger local, check to see if the benefit is already covered in your dues. Otherwise, look into a family plan with your parents or a student plan to save money!
Toll Transponders Save You Money! Using cash at a toll actually costs more money than driving through an automated gate or overhead toll. Plus, you’ll spend a lot more of your precious time in line rather than getting to your destination! EZ Pass is the most widely accepted of all the US transponders. Note that you have to pay a deposit fee when picking up a transponder and there is usually a required auto-load amount you agree to when your balance gets low.
Use the GasBuddy App to Find the Cheapest Gas Station! If you sign up for their GasBuddy debit card, you actually can save up to 40 cents a gallon. It is linked to your checking account and pulls out funds as needed. However, we find just using the app to search for the cheapest gas in town saves you a lot without using their card.
Costco Membership Info
There are two types of memberships: Gold Star and Executive. Let’s break down the differences:
Gold Star memberships are $65/year and you can use any Visa card.
Executive memberships are $130/year and come with a Citi credit card. You get annual rebates from both Costco (2%) and Citi (4% on gas/EV charging, 3% on restaurants/travel, 2% on other Costco spend, and 1% on all other eligible purchases). It more than pays for itself!
Helpful Links for Upcoming Trips
Gas Cost Estimator: https://gasprices.aaa.com/aaa-gas-cost-calculator/
Current State Gas Averages: https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/
State Gas Tax: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-gas-tax-rates-2024/
The Freeway Philharmonic 