Gas prices where you're at (USA)

[Saabhat93]

Anyone else getting owned at the pump? I just paid $4.41 a gallon for 89 octane gas in Stockton, CA.

I know those of you across the pond have had it worse for years/decades, but this is something I'm not used to. The area I live in is not public transit friendly (re: most of the western USA) so finding alternative modes of transport is really difficult. I've started carpooling with a friend to school, so some is better than none. Believe me, I'm 100% for alternative modes of transport, but the infrastructure around here is purely car based, so getting anywhere in a timely manner without one is quite a task. It isn't impossible for sure. Getting to work by bike would take about an hour as opposed to 10-15 minutes, but then you have to sit at work all day all sticky and gnarly, so it's a trade off of sorts.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just a hypocritical consumer. We were raised to think and act a certain way, and breaking old habits is hard. I suppose if you don't try in the first place you can't complain, eh?

[Aero]

Prices around here are around 1,4€ per litre, which, at the current exchange rates, means some $2,1 per litre.

My advise is turn to motorcycles!. Far better MPG rates.

[Saabhat93]

I'd really like a bike, to be honest, but everyone I talk to says it's pretty much suicide in this area. A lot of times I don't even feel safe in a car because the drivers are so terrible. People don't look when merging or changing lanes, drive way too fast and are extremely inconsiderate among other things.

I'm going to be moving to a small town in a few months and I'll probably get one there. Why is gas so much more expensive in the UK than the rest of Europe? Taxes?

[stamonkey]

We are at $4.29 for 89 octane in O'Fallon, Illinois (suburb of St. Louis). Across the river in Missouri its $4.07 for 89 Octane. Luckily I only live 2 miles from my office, so the gas prices haven't really effected me, well at least directly..... I think I only drove my car once last week.

[Shazam]

Two days ago I paid $4.27 for 93 octane... I get good enough gas mileage with it on the highway it makes it cheaper to get 93 than 89. As soon as I'm back to more city driving, it's back to 89 octane, if I can't take my bike.

[drwatson32]

I've been running 87 in my turbo, feeling that I can't afford the higher boost tax... I've been doing all highway commutes for work- ~150 miles a day. I understand that higher octane fuel has more energy, I'm wondering if I'd benefit from using 93 at this point?

[stamonkey]

I've been running 87 in my turbo, feeling that I can't afford the higher boost tax... I've been doing all highway commutes for work- ~150 miles a day. I understand that higher octane fuel has more energy, I'm wondering if I'd benefit from using 93 at this point?

Not sure on the C900, but in the SS its actually cheaper to run 91 (or 93 if you can find it) due to the hit in gas mileage that you take when running 87, not to mention the loss of power.

[drwatson32]

I'll have to give it a try. With the 87, I'm getting a respectable 31mpg hwy. Would be neat if I could push it farther.

[Dave T]

Not sure on the C900, but in the SS its actually cheaper to run 91 (or 93 if you can find it) due to the hit in gas mileage that you take when running 87, not to mention the loss of power.

Stay tuned. I am gathering data. My preliminary conclusion is that the increased in gas mileage (decreased fuel consumption) with 93 octane is not great enough to justify the higher price. The loss of power might be depending on one's goals but the increased fuel economy isn't much higher.

Chevron gas is about $4.09/gallon (87) and 20 cents more for 92. The cheapest no-name gas is about 15 cents less.

[Shazam]

Stay tuned. I am gathering data. My preliminary conclusion is that the increased in gas mileage (decreased fuel consumption) with 93 octane is not great enough to justify the higher price. The loss of power might be depending on one's goals but the increased fuel economy isn't much higher.

In my 900, I get about 27 to 28 on the highway with 93, but with 87 I get about 24, with 89 I get high 25 to high 26. So thats about 10% increase in MPG at normally 5-10% more per gallon.