NPR reported this morning that crude oil prices are hitting prices unimaginable just a few months ago, but the impact on U.S. driving plans for this Memorial Day weekend is projected to be minimal. OK, so we’re still going to hit the highways but, thanks to technology, we don’t have to take a full hit in the wallet.
Prices can vary significantly within a local area. So it makes sense that more and more of us are finding and using Web sites like GasPriceWatch.com, which keeps tabs on prices at about 130,000 gas stations, and GasBuddy.com, which scans pump prices at 170,000 stations. Other sites include MSN Gas Prices and MapQuest Gas Prices.
Michelle Meyers over at Webware has taken a closer look at these Web sites and more.
In the UK, where the cost is well over twice what is paid in the U.S., check out PetrolPrices.com.
BTW, GasBuddy.com has a neat Gas Temperature Map, illustrated below, that displays prices around the U.S. with counties color-coded by their average price for regular unleaded. Click on the image to pull up a larger version of it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
John:
When moving to Texas almost 10 years ago, I entered the state to .60 a gallon gas. I *had* been paying $1.25 back in Nevada two days before.
I was so excited I called all my friends and bragged how cheap gas was in Texas.
Last fill up was at $3.85 a gallon. It looks like it’s still cheaper to fill up here as opposed to there, but I’m certainly not bragging when paying with my credit card. ugh
May 24th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Shouldn’t the title be “the gas pump: squeezing blood from your wallet” ?
I recently paid $4 a gallon and it makes me appreciate my Tacoma more since I get almost 20MPG while still having a V6 that can tow 6500 lbs (except the MPG drops to about 10 when I do tow). I feel bad for the people who bought diesel trucks when it was cheaper than gas. With diesel being about $0.65 more expensive per gallon here in Florida there are many diesel powered trucks for sale CHEAP as they are trading them in.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
It`s $3.85 here in Arkansas.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I found $3.83 today at Walmart. I don\’t care for their gas but couldn\’t resist the price.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Just calculated the UK price of a US gallon where I live (north west of England). 114.0 pence for 1 litre of unleaded. 1 US gallon = 3.785 litres. 1 UK pound = 1.9762 US dollars. Turns out a US gallon of unleaded is $8.53 in the UK! That’s more than twice the price of the absolute highest price in the entire US - all I can say is that you should be thankful for such cheap fuel compared to us poor Brits….
May 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
@Richard Lloyd Thanks for dropping by with the information … OUCH!