Buying gas on an Interstate Highway trek

[obbop]

Nebraska to California on I-80. In the past have bought gas at the stations located next to the freeway as well as heading for the small or big town located a mile or two or three from the freeway.

Seeking lowest price.

Haven't noticed any definite trends.

At times, the price was HIGHER in the town and cheaper at the station(s) next to the freeway. Some times, the opposite is true.

Some times the price diferential is not present, at times it is but just by a couple cents and occasionally, the price difference is substantial.. 10- or 15-cents per gallon.

Not worth the time, effort to log the prices and look for trends. Also, do not make the trip often enough to exert the time or effort.

Relying upon the accumulated wisdom of the masses present to chime in and share their observations.

Just go with the station next to the freeway or drive 1-3 miles to the nearby town and hope the price is significantly lower?

Inquiring Coots wanna' know.

 

[Gary Allan]

From the comfort of the shanty

 

[falconman]

There is no definite trend. One gas station near me that is right off the freeway is always 15 to 20 cents more per gallon than the going rate. On the other hand, the last time I got gas, it was near the freeway and was the one of the cheapest around. Same thing for gas stations in town. Some are high while the one a block down is cheap. It just depends on what the owner wants to charge.

 

[RedDart]

Dunno venerable shanty dweller. Conventional wisdom is that fuel is more expensive close to the Interstate. However, in my treks to find food off of 95 on the way to/from FL, prices can be high in small towns located a distance away from the superslab. Ye olde captive audience syndrome. Sometime the stations close to the Interstate engage in some modest competition. As they say...you pay your money and you take your chances.

 

[BearZDefect]

Some big chains like "Flying J" and "Pilot" post their fuel prices on the 'net. You could use that as a starting point to see where prices are higher than usual, and avoid having to fill up there.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

We generally stop at Flying J's going west. They are convenient, offer competitive or the lowest gas prices in the area, and are generally well run and clean. If you're camping, getting propane fill ups there is a plus.

 

[javacontour]

I just try to look at the map of who charges the highest gas taxes and avoid buying gas in those states.

Also, look out for areas that need RFG gas.

For the most part, in the St. Louis metro area, gas is more expensive on the IL side, as IL has about $0.16/gallon more in excise taxes on fuel. So traveling west, it gets cheaper. Often it is cheaper in Columbia, MO than it is in St. Louis because reformulated gasoline (RFG) is not mandated in the more rural areas.

So I look for what states have the lowest gas taxes, try to find "rural" interstate stations that are not the only game in town at a particular exit. To make things more fun now that I have both the Chase BP Visa and the Citibank Shell MasterCard, both offering 5% cash back on gasoline purchases of the appropriate brand, I try to find those stations.

At $3/gallon, 5% is $0.15/gallon discount. As long as I pay the card in full each month, it's free money.

The BP Visa also gives 2% cash back on Dining and Travel, IIRC.

Those are my tips, FWIW.

Somewhere on this site was posted links to the excise tax rates here in the US. IL has one of the highest, if not THE highest taxes on Diesel fuel. It ranks right up there for gasoline too, but not higher than New York.

 

[11B-33T]

Quote:

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We generally stop at Flying J's going west. They are convenient, offer competitive or the lowest gas prices in the area, and are generally well run and clean. If you're camping, getting propane fill ups there is a plus.

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..Target for this driver! Some stations off the beaten path with the 'CHEEP GAZ' sign, pump jockey in coveralls w/lazy eye and banjo music playing inna background tend to make me jumpy! (..Lord, I appologize...)

 

[obbop]

Will observe Flying J prices. At least I know there will likely be coffee in the convenience store part of the place.

And, since I usually sleep in the camper shell I can take showers if needed where I am stopped for the gas.

Haven't driven semis for quite awhile but kept the Class A license. Comes in handy at truck stops where a shower costing 3 bucks, maybe more, is a lot cheaper than renting a motel room. Or, I just stink.

On the whole, appears buying the gas alongside the freeway will be handiest. Never know what one may run into venturing into a nearby town.

Thanks for the input, humanoids.

 

[javacontour]

AAA has this site up, or a link to it:

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/

It looks like you can put in the end points and it will estimate your fuel costs.

 

[unDummy]

I don't care for price. When driving across the country, unless I need to exit for something, I just fill up at the stations along the highway. Usually, I never go below a quarter tank.

Simple convenience is what I look for.
Busy highway fuel stations, and rest/truck stops, usually have fresh fuel and 'civilization'.