In the past few weeks, every time I drive by the local gas station, I see the price of regular gas raise a few cents. It looks like the prediction of $6 for a gallon of gas, by Memorial Day will come true, if not sooner. This increase in the price of gas does not only affect our driving, but it affects our weekly grocery bill, our utility bill and what we choose for entertainment.

I was chatting with one friend, about a week ago. He presented an interesting idea. He proposed that everyone boycott Exxon gas stations. This would force Exxon to lower their gas prices below everyone else price. In turn this would force the other gas suppliers lower their prices. Thus starting a old fashion price war.

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.

It is not the miles per gallon divided by the price of gasoline.  There are other factors when it come to

determining the cost of driving your family car per mile.

• The cost of gas divided by the miles per gallon that is gotten by the family car.
• The cost of car needs to be divided by miles expected to be driven over the ownership of the car.
  • Divide the cost of the cost after interest of loan for the car by the number of months of ownership.
  • Divided that number by the number of  average miles driven in month.
• The monthly cost of insurance divided by the average number of miles driver per month.
• Now divide the maintenance cost of the family car by average number of miles driven per month.
• Divide the cost of car wash, parking, and any other costs by the average number of miles driven per month.

Finally, add of all the totals from the above. Then you have the cost it takes to drive your family car per mile.

Just so you will know it cost us 69 cents  per miles to drive our family car down the road. Now it only costs me $7.63 to ride my bike per month. I mean the type of bike you peddle.