Americans Spend $179 per Month on Gas. Is a Gas Credit Card Worth Getting?

For most Americans, driving is the primary mode of transportation. Over 90% of U.S. households have at least one vehicle, and areas with ample public transportation are the exception, not the norm.

If you're one of the many people with a car, that means you're probably at the gas station on a weekly or monthly basis. Americans spent an average of $179 per month on gas in 2021, a total of $2,148 in gas spending that year. You may be wondering what you can do to save on your own gas spending, or at least make the most of it.

Gas credit cards are a popular choice. These are rewards cards that earn bonus cash back or points at gas stations. While getting one may seem like an easy call, there could be better options available.

How to decide if you should get a gas credit card

Before you decide to get a gas credit card, check how much you actually spend on gas every month. Compare that to the amount you spend on any other large expenses you have, such as groceries.

Tip: If you're having trouble keeping track of your expenses, try using budgeting apps. These help you track spending and break it down by category.

Some people assume that because gas is one of their regular expenses, they should get a gas credit card. That's not always correct. Gas can be a big expense, but it's usually not the biggest expense, unless you have a long commute.

For example, Americans spend more on groceries ($438 per month on average) and dining ($253 per month), according to household spending data. If you spend more in either of those areas, you could earn more back with one of these types of credit cards:

• Grocery credit cards
• Dining and restaurant credit cards

Let's say your spending is right in line with those averages. You could get a gas credit card that earns 3% cash back at gas stations. At $179 in monthly gas spending, you'd earn $5.37 per month and $64.44 per year in cash back.

Now, let's say you decide on a grocery credit card instead. It earns 3% back at grocery stores. At $438 in monthly grocery spending, you'd earn $13.14 per month and $157.68 per year in cash back. That's more than twice as much cash back.

If you spend more on gas than you do on food and your other expenses, a gas credit card is a good choice. If not, there's likely a better credit card out there.

Other ways to earn more back on your gas spending

Even if gas isn't your biggest expense, it may be in the top five or so. And it could still be beneficial to look for ways to earn more rewards when you fill up. Here are the two easiest ways to do this:

• Get a credit card with bonus rewards in multiple spend categories. Many of the best rewards credit cards earn bonuses in several areas. For example, there are gas and grocery credit cards that earn extra in both those categories. Cards like these allow you to get the best of both worlds.
• Get multiple rewards credit cards. Another option is to get more than one credit card. You can then have your gas credit card, your dining credit card, and so on, earning bonuses across more spend categories. You can also take advantage of benefits from more top credit cards this way.

The right option will depend on whether you're open to having multiple cards, or if you'd prefer a one-card wallet. After you decide, you can start looking for the card (or cards) that will help you maximize rewards.