As a person who does a tremendous amount of driving (40,000+/year), I have recently become fixated on finding the lowest price for gas. Gas has become a major expense of my family’s monthly budget. One can drive block-by-block searching for the best deal, wasting time and taxing your stress level, thinking “Gas is cheaper here… time to tank up!” or you could go to the internet.

In the “brilliant idea” category, let me introduce you to GasBuddy.com. This is a website dedicated to finding the most competitive gas prices. “Fueled” by volunteers, GasBuddy.com collects information from registered users on gas prices at stations across the country. It is the most comprehensive listing of gas prices on the web.

The price listings come from registered volunteers who input their facts to the site. The site is updated every 24 hours to keep current with changing prices. The volunteers’ benefit for inputting information (beyond seeing your name in print) is receiving points per entry received. Total points place one in a raffle for free gas.

To get the gas prices you require, start by entering the site. Forget the zip code search on the homepage {it didn’t work for me), instead select the state you reside in and go from there. Highlight county or city. In my town nothing popped up, however in an adjacent city there were 5 listings with substantial savings. As more people sign up, the principalities covered will increase.

In addition to showing the highs and lows of neighborhood gas prices, there is an abundance of extras. You can calculate your MPGs, learn about the basics of crude oil pricing, or view the graphs on the history of the gas pricing. In all a well thought out, informative, money saving site. Thumbs up!