Cheap Gas Prices

Grumbling Not Productive

Gas prices will turn around, but not anytime soon. Despite public grumblings and political threats of investigations into the “gouging” of consumers heard every time gas prices rise, these threats remain empty political rhetoric, since these investigations never seem to progress very far. Gas prices are still subject to the laws of supply and demand. And when supplies are low, prices will rise.

Be Proactive

Between now and the time when gas prices stabilize, small business owners have to scramble to cut costs as rising gas prices impact the bottom line with increased transportation costs for materials, products and service vehicles. Keep in mind that the hurricane season is not yet over. More storms may be lurking just beyond the horizon.

But before you trade in your SUV for a shoebox hybrid, there are some steps you can take to locate cheap gas prices.

Check Warehouse Outlets for Cheap Gas

Warehouse outlets like Costco, Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart buy volume purchases passing on savings to the consumers. Costco gas prices usually run between 10-to-20 cents less than the local market, sometimes more. Costco buys a huge volume of gas at a set price which means the daily price will be set until the next volume purchase dictates the new cost per gallon. Topping off the tank requires a wait, but the Costco station opens early and closes late. Best time to fill up is early before the local commuters head out for a refill.

Cheap Gas Prices Locators

These Web sites are tools that you can use to locate cheap gas and diesel prices at a station near you. Keep in mind that gas prices change frequently, sometimes it seems like hourly, with prices varying by as much as 20 percent at different stations within a few blocks of each other. Also, if you are traveling, consider getting off the beaten path of Interstate highways, Freeways and Thruways where prices are higher. Any city of good size usually has a scattering of stations located just a couple miles away from highway systems.

• Gas Price Watch

Maintains a database of more than 128,000 stations and a team of 123,000 volunteers reporting changing posting prices. Price locations can be made by city and Zip code searches, and even specific streets.

• Gas Buddy

Offers a graphic of the U.S. Click on your state, then enter your zip code to find a list of the lowest-priced stations near you.

• Fuel Economy.gov

Provides a similar U.S. map and links to station locations in cities in your state.

• Cheap gas

Provides a Google Map of station near you selected by clicking on a state graphic. Balloon indicators show you the nearest location and cost.

• Gas Price Watch

Provides nationwide searches by intersection, zip, station name, with information pricing for gasoline and diesel.