The price of gasoline is an every changing. For me to keep track of what gas station has what got what price has been an area of continual frustration. Finally, I stepped back looked at the whole situation in an objective manner.
There is 1 gas station within 1 mile of my house. In a 3 mile radius there is 4 more. At the 4 mile marker I can drive to another 5. That gives me 10 gas stations to monitor their prices. That way when it comes time to buy gas I can get the best deal.
In that group the price for a gallon of gas will vary a good 15 cents per gallon. Some change their prices on Monday. Then there are other who will change their prices on a Tuesday. Only a couple change their prices on Thursday.
I know some people who will argue that brand of gasoline is better than another brand. They only buy Shell, or Chevron gas for the additives. Then there are others who only go to the discount gas stations, just for the price. Since I am not a chemist, I cannot address the issue. What I do know is the price of gas per gallon and the distance I drive for that gas does affect where I go to refill my mini van.
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As of Sunday, August 16, 2009, the gas station that is within a mile of my home charges $2.63 per gallon. Now at the 4 mile mark is a gas station where I can get gas for $2.53 per gallon. That is a whole 10 cents per gallon cheaper.
When I drive my car it cost me 68 cents per mile. So if I drive to the gas station that offers the gas at $2.53, it will cost me $2.72.
The manual on my Dodge Caravan stays my gas tank has a 20 gallon compacity. So if my gas tank was to be completely empty. At the savings of 10 cents per gallon, I would only save $2 between the two gas stations.
The bottom-line is I would lose 72 cents by driving 4 miles to save 10 cents on every gallon of gas.
Now let us be realistic. You and I both know that we do not run our gas tanks completely empty before buying gas. Most people put more gas in their vehicle when it is about 1 quarter of a tank. It would be more logical to just go the gas station that is less than a mile from my house.
So the next time you go out to fill up you car, think about what it is costing you to buy that gas at such a saving price.
