How Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator Works?
This tool works by subtracting the cheaper station's price from the pricier station's price and multiplying by the gallons in a fill-up. The result is the dollars saved by choosing the cheaper station.
Enter the cheaper station price
Type the lower price per gallon, for example $3.49.
Enter the pricier station price
Type the higher price per gallon, for example $3.75.
Enter fill-up gallons
Type the gallons you plan to pump, for example 15 gallons (56.8 L).
Read the saving
The tool returns the dollars saved at the cheaper station.
Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator Formula
The formula is Savings = (Pricier Price − Cheaper Price) × Fill-Up Gallons.
Savings = (Pricier Price − Cheaper Price) × GallonsFormula variables
- Pricier Price − Cheaper Price
- Price gap per US gallon (3.785 L).
- Gallons
- Fuel pumped in the fill-up.
Worked example
- Cheaper Station Price: $3.49/gal
- Pricier Station Price: $3.75/gal
- Tank Capacity Refill: 15 gal
- Price gap: $3.75 − $3.49 = $0.26 per gallon.
- Savings: $0.26 × 15 = $3.90 per fill-up.
Result: $3.90 ($ saved on fill-up)
A $3.90 saving each week adds up to $202.80 per year. The Cheaper Gas Detour Calculator subtracts the fuel cost of reaching a farther station.
Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator Conversion Table
The table shows savings for 4 fill-up sizes at 3 pricier-station prices, compared with a cheaper price of $3.49.
Rows: Tank Capacity Refill (gal). Columns: Pricier Station Price ($/gal). Cells: $ saved on fill-up.
| gal | $3.59/gal | $3.75/gal | $3.99/gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 gal | $0.80 | $2.08 | $4.00 |
| 12 gal | $1.20 | $3.12 | $6.00 |
| 15 gal | $1.50 | $3.90 | $7.50 |
| 20 gal | $2.00 | $5.20 | $10.00 |
Values held constant: Cheaper Station Price = $3.49/gal.
Filling 20 gallons (75.7 L) at $3.49 instead of $3.99 saves $10.00.
What is Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator?
The Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator is a tool that compares the cost of the same fill-up at 2 gas stations. The tool turns a cents-per-gallon gap into dollars.
Prices between nearby stations often differ by $0.10 to $0.40 per gallon. Highway exits, brand stations, and stations near airports tend to charge more.
The comparator suits quick decisions at a single intersection or along a route.
What are the uses of Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator?
There are 4 main uses of the Gas Station Fill-Up Comparator: choosing between nearby stations, comparing brand and discount stations, valuing loyalty prices, and comparing highway and town stations.
Choosing between nearby stations
Drivers pick the cheaper of 2 stations on the same road.
Comparing brand and discount stations
Drivers price the gap between a name brand and a discount brand.
Valuing loyalty prices
Members compare member prices with regular prices.
Comparing highway and town stations
Travelers see the cost of filling up at the exit.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.