How to Find Gas Stations Along Your Route: 4 Methods (2024)

When you're on a road trip and need to refuel, you don't want to go out of your way to stop at a gas station. Of course, you also don't want to pay more than you need to.

Thankfully, it's easy to find gas prices along your route and pick the best gas station for you. Let's see how.

How to Find Gas Stations Along Your Route in Google Maps

As Google Maps is the choice navigation app of many, it's no surprise that it includes the functionality to locate gas stations while you're driving. It's a simple feature to use, too.

Related: Google Maps Tricks That'll Change How You Navigate

While you're navigating, tap the Magnifying Glass icon on the right side of the Google Maps interface. This brings up the Search along route screen. You can type a specific place into the box at the top if you're looking for a particular gas station.

Otherwise, tap the Gas stations icon. This will show bubbles for gas stations conveniently located along your route. Each one contains the station's name, how far out of the way it is, and the current price for gas. Tap one, and Google Maps will set it as your current stop (either when you tap Add stop or after a few seconds).

After you stop at the station, Google Maps will resume navigation to your original destination. If you want to remove the gas station stop you added, swipe up from the bottom and tap Remove stop.

Keep in mind that you can use this feature in Google Maps for other types of stops too, like restaurants and grocery stores.

How to Find Gas Stations Along Your Route in Apple Maps

If you use an iPhone and prefer Apple Maps, it's easy to add a stop for gas while navigating in Apple's offering, too.

Related: How to Report Accidents, Hazards, and Speed Checks in Apple Maps

With navigation running, tap the bar at the bottom of the screen to expand it, then select Add Stop. In this menu, you'll see several shortcuts for useful stops, such as Parking and Fast Food.

Tap Gas Stations, and Apple Maps will show you stations along your current route. Scroll through the list to see how long each one adds to your trip, how far away it is, when it's open, and its Yelp rating.

Tap Go to set a chosen gas station as your current stop. If you change your mind, hit the Resume Route to [Destination] at the top of the screen to remove the gas station stop.

With this function, it's easy to find gas along your route. The only major drawback is that Apple Maps doesn't show the current price of gas at each station.

How to Find Gas Stations Along Your Route in Waze

If you don't use Google Maps or Apple Maps, you probably use Waze. Unsurprisingly, the app that's all about taking your drive to the next level also supports finding gas stations along your navigation route.

To find a gas station while in active navigation with Waze, tap the bar at the bottom of the screen showing your arrival time and distance information. If needed, scroll down to find the Add a stop section, then tap the gas pump icon. You can select the magnifying glass icon if you're looking for a particular destination.

Waze will show you a list of gas stations with all their pertinent info, including how far away they are, how many minutes the stop will add to your trip, and the current price of gas. Since other users update these prices, they might be days or weeks outdated, but should give you an idea of what you'll pay.

Tap an entry to see more information about it, then choose Go. Waze lets you pick Add a stop or New drive; choose the former since you want to continue onto your final destination.

Waze doesn't currently offer a way to remove a stop and revert to your original destination. Thus, if you change your mind about stopping for gas, you'll need to cancel navigation and restart with your original destination.

How to Find Gas Stations Along Your Route Using GasBuddy

For something a little different, you can also use a non-navigation app to find the cheapest gas stations near you. GasBuddy is one of the best apps to help you locate cheap gas, so you should keep it around to save a few cents whenever possible.

After downloading the app, you can sign up for an account, but it's not necessary to use it. Just tap Skip at the top-right to move on without an account. You'll likely have to skip past a few offers, too.

Once you're in the main GasBuddy interface, tap Find Gas at the bottom. The app will ask what fuel type you prefer, then will show prices and stations that reflect that type of gas.

To find gas along your current route, tap inside the Current Location box at the top of the screen and choose Add a destination. Enter where you're going, select a route if necessary, and GasBuddy will show gas stations along your route on the map overview.

Choose List at the top-right if the map interface is too cluttered. When you see one you like, tap a gas station and the app will prompt you to open directions to it in your navigation app of choice.

If you're just looking for the cheapest gas nearby, GasBuddy shows the closest stations, along with their current price and how long ago someone updated that price. Tap one to view what amenities the station offers, check reviews, and similar.

As you scroll down, GasBuddy will continue to show prices at stations that are slightly further from you. At the top of the page, you can change the grade of fuel you use, show prices that are cheaper when paid with cash, avoid poorly rated locations, and more.

GasBuddy is kept up-to-date mostly from its users, so feel free to add corrections if you see data that isn't right.

Find Gas Stations Along Any Route

With these apps, you can find a suitable gas station while you're driving any route. Whether you want to find the cheapest fuel or avoid going out of your way, these gas finder apps make it easy to do without stopping your current trip.

If you don't have anywhere to go, the right apps can help you decide on your next road trip, too.