It can be stressful when you need to be somewhere, your car is running on fumes and you don’t have money for gas. If there’s no one to borrow from in a pinch and you’ve already scoured the couch for loose change, consider cash advance apps, short-term loans or community assistance programs that may be able to get you fast cash for gas.
Here are a few solutions when you need money for gas. Some options can provide immediate funding, while others can take a few hours up to a day or two.
One of the fastest ways to get cash for gas money is with cash advance apps, which offer amounts anywhere from $20 to $500 or more. Providers typically don’t charge interest or late fees and don’t do credit checks. Plus, you can usually receive funds within minutes if you request an instant transfer.
All you need to do is download an app, link your bank account and get verified. You’ll repay the advance on your next payday or the date of your next deposit.
However, some cash advance apps aren’t free, requiring monthly subscriptions around $2 - $12. Some providers, like Nyble, offer a free transfer option that can take up to a few days to hit your bank account. But if you opt for instant funding, you may be charged a fee of several dollars to over $20.
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
Another way to get money for gas (relatively) quickly is through short-term loans. This category can include payday loans, installment loans, loans from credit unions or community banks or even pawn shop loans. Short-term loans typically have fast turnaround times—some as soon as the same day you apply—and lenient requirements to qualify. Plus, they can be more flexible than cash advance apps with larger loan amounts and longer repayment terms.
But the downside to some short-term loans is that you’ll typically pay higher interest rates and fees than with cash advance apps or more traditional personal loans. In fact, some of these loan options come with triple-digit APRs and can end up putting you into a deeper hole than you were in to begin with.
Before having to resort to an expensive payday or installment loan, explore alternative options, such as taking on a side hustle.
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If you need gas money—or other types of financial assistance—numerous programs and services may be able to help you out. One option is to contact your local United Way office. You can call 211 from any phone or go to its website to explore services in your area. You may not be able to get a gas card or voucher directly from the United Way, but they’ll send you to organizations that may be able to help you out.
You may also want to try places like the Salvation Army, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or Catholic charities. These organizations may offer gas cards or gas vouchers or, like the United Way, they may be able to give you other options. Local churches and homeless shelters are other resources that may know of programs in your community that could help.
Finally, if you need ongoing assistance, you can use the Government of Canada Benefits Finder to learn about financial assistance programs you may be eligible for.
Gas prices vary depending on where you live, and the mileage you get depends on the fuel efficiency of your car, the speed you’re driving and other factors. The chart below shows the range of costs to drive the following distances based on your vehicle’s fuel economy, with gas prices between $1.45 and $1.75 a litre.
| 10 km (~20 min drive) | 25 km (~50 min drive) | 50 km (~1 hr 40 min drive) | 100 km (~3 hr 20 min drive) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 L/100 km | $1.16 to $1.40 | $2.90 to $3.50 | $5.80 to $7.00 | $11.60 to $14.00 |
12 L/100 km | $1.74 to $2.10 | $4.35 to $5.25 | $8.70 to $10.50 | $17.40 to $21.00 |
18 L/100 km | $2.61 to $3.15 | $6.53 to $7.88 | $13.05 to $15.75 | $26.10 to $31.50 |
Cutting down on your gas expenses is one way to stretch an already tight budget. Here are some tips that might help you save a few bucks on gas.
You may also want to consider these alternatives when you find yourself short of gas money.
Short-term loans or cash advance apps can help when you need gas money right now or for other purposes like paying rent or covering medical bills. Just be aware of the rates, fees and terms of these agreements. You may also want to look into community assistance programs or explore ways to save money on gas going forward.
Find out how we rate cash advance apps in our methodology.
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