BOSTON, Mass. – GasBuddy®, North America’s trusted source for fuel savings for more than 25 years, has released new analysis identifying the cheapest and most expensive days of the week to buy gasoline in all 50 states. Based on an analysis of daily statewide fuel prices over the past year, GasBuddy found that Sunday is the most consistently affordable day to fill up in most U.S. states, while midweek, particularly Wednesday through Friday, tends to be more expensive.
While price trends fluctuate with oil markets and seasonal demand, weekly patterns remain surprisingly consistent. In most states, prices gradually rise through the week before easing into the weekend, creating a reliable window for motorists to save simply by adjusting the timing of their fill-up. Buying on the lowest-priced weekday instead of the most expensive one can save drivers 4 to 9 cents per gallon with little effort.
“Gas prices don’t just move based on global oil markets — they also follow a weekly rhythm,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For most drivers, Sunday is the safest bet for finding lower prices, while filling up mid-week can mean paying more.”
States With Price Cycling See Bigger Timing Opportunities
In several states — including Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Texas and parts of the West Coast — prices follow a more pronounced pattern known as price cycling. In these markets, prices often “reset” sharply higher on a specific day, then slowly decline over the next several days before the next spike.
In price-cycling states, the best savings often come five to seven days after a price jump, when competition drives prices back down. In these states, the gap between buying at the peak of a spike and near the bottom of the cycle can reach 15 to 45 cents per gallon or more, making timing especially important.
“These states experience sharper and more predictable weekly swings,” De Haan added. “If drivers notice a big jump, patience can pay off. Waiting several days after a spike often leads to better prices.”
GasBuddy notes that timing alone isn’t the only strategy. Pairing smart timing with shopping around using the GasBuddy app — which typically saves drivers 5 to 10 cents per gallon — or using Pay with GasBuddy+ at participating stations, where discounts can reach up to 33 cents per gallon, can significantly increase total savings over time. A full state-by-state breakdown of the cheapest and most expensive days of the week is available here: https://go.gasbuddy.com/best-day-2026-bystate
Methodology
GasBuddy analyzed daily statewide average gasoline prices over the past year and normalized prices within each week to identify consistent weekday pricing patterns independent of seasonal trends. Estimated savings reflect the typical difference between each state’s cheapest and most expensive weekdays and do not include additional savings from shopping around or Pay with GasBuddy+ discounts.