What Kind of Fuel Am I?

[Sue U]

I filled up a few days ago at $3.39/gal. I generally only fill the tank once a month, so I haven't really been conscious of pricing trends, but it seems to me the price has been pretty steady between $3.39 and $3.49 all summer.

[Big RR]

That's about what I have noticed as well; there are a few outliers that charge around $3.70 - $3.90 or more, but most are in this area. I drove down to Georgia this summer and that was pretty much the cost per gallon the entire way.

[BoSoxGal]

Why is it nearly double the price on the west coast?

[Big RR]

I think the CA gas tax is high; also, they use a different gasoline blend than all or most of the other states, and this costs more to make. I also, wouldn't put it beyond the petroleum companies to charge more to pressure CA not to require this cleaner burning gas (or to punish it for other environmental regulations (but try and prove it)).

[Joe Guy]

Yeah, CA has a high gas tax, a different blend and all that.

Here's a breakdown of what affects the cost from the California Energy website:

[Crackpot]

Just over $4 here which seems high but I haven’t been paying attention as much as I work from home most days and don’t fill up often.

[Econoline]

Around here it seems to just keep bouncing around from just under $4 to just over $4....maybe $3.90 to $4.20 at the min/max.

[Jarlaxle]

$3.59 yesterday.

[MajGenl.Meade]

About the same as Jarl's in NE Ohio

[Joe Guy]

Does anyone know why diesel fuel is so high priced? I remember when it was much cheaper than gasoline.

I guess I could look it up but I'm too lazy....

[Jarlaxle]

Higher taxes and sulfur removal.

[Joe Guy]

Higher taxes and sulfur removal.

Thanks. And I guess the more that people want it, the more people will need to pay.

[Sue U]

Filled up today at $3.29/gal., so I guess prices are starting to come down a bit? Looking back over this thread, I see that exactly a year ago I paid $3.06/gal.

[Joe Guy]

Last week at the local Shell gas station regular was $6.29/gal and today it's $5.79.

[MajGenl.Meade]

$3.33 in our bit of Ohio yesterday, down from 3.89 last week

[Jarlaxle]

Liz mentioned $3.95 for premium.

[Burning Petard]

In Newark, Delaware Costco, $3.259 Oct 1.

snailgate

[Long Run]

Last week at the local Shell gas station regular was $6.29/gal and today it's $5.79.

Recent road trip, and I-5 and 50 were pretty standard at around $6, but drove past a tribal casino complex that had their own station and they were $4.59. Presumably, they are selling the same gas as everyone else, so the tribe is selling at a 25% discount off the taxed California stations (or at least $1.50 per gallon in state taxes).

[BoSoxGal]

Last week at the local Shell gas station regular was $6.29/gal and today it's $5.79.

Recent road trip, and I-5 and 50 were pretty standard at around $6, but drove past a tribal casino complex that had their own station and they were $4.59. Presumably, they are selling the same gas as everyone else, so the tribe is selling at a 25% discount off the taxed California stations (or at least $1.50 per gallon in state taxes).

If that’s tribal property then it is sovereign territory and they are not required to impose California taxes, as far as my understanding goes.

[Big RR]

Do they have to sll California approved gas or can they sell anything--like other states bordering California. I am not sure, but it would be intersting to see.