ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve on Tuesday was asked, “Does filling up your gas tank at night actually save you money?”
Holiday travel means long drives, crowded stations and plenty of advice from friends and relatives about how to save a few dollars at the pump. One of the most common tips you’ll hear this time of year is the claim that filling up your gas tank at night gives you more fuel for your money.
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The theory sounds simple enough: Cooler nighttime temperatures supposedly make gasoline denser, allowing drivers to get more volume for the same price. But according to transportation and fuel experts, that holiday myth doesn’t hold up.
Nearly all gas stations in Central Florida and across the country store their fuel underground, where temperatures remain significantly more stable than the air above. Whether it’s a chilly December morning or a warm afternoon, the temperature of gasoline below ground changes very little. That means the fuel going into your vehicle is essentially the same temperature at 8 a.m. as it is at 10 p.m.
Because of that, filling up at night does not provide additional fuel or cost savings. Drivers end up paying the same amount for the same volume regardless of the time of day.
Still, there are ways to save money during the peak travel season. Proper tire pressure, smooth acceleration, consistent speeds and avoiding hard braking can improve fuel efficiency more than any timing trick at the pump.
As traffic builds heading into the holidays, understanding what works and what doesn’t helps drivers stay safe, prepared and a little more informed on the road.