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Author	Topic: [Poll: 2006.50]: If you knew of a cheaper station 2.5 miles (4km) further away...	Topic is locked Back to Topics

JT Moderator	Message Posted: Dec 10, 2006 12:01:10 AM Ignore JT Report Abuse If you knew of a cheaper station 2.5 miles (4km) further away, how cheap would it have to be for you to go there? As long as it's cheaper, by any amount At least US$0.01/gal (0.3CA¢/l) cheaper At least US$0.02/gal (0.6CA¢/l) cheaper At least US$0.03/gal (0.9CA¢/l) cheaper At least US$0.05/gal (1.5CA¢/l) cheaper At least US$0.10/gal (3.0CA¢/l) cheaperPost your thoughts about this poll below.

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Message Posted: Dec 10, 2006 12:01:10 AM

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If you knew of a cheaper station 2.5 miles (4km) further away, how cheap would it have to be for you to go there?
As long as it's cheaper, by any amount
At least US$0.01/gal (0.3CA¢/l) cheaper
At least US$0.02/gal (0.6CA¢/l) cheaper
At least US$0.03/gal (0.9CA¢/l) cheaper
At least US$0.05/gal (1.5CA¢/l) cheaper
At least US$0.10/gal (3.0CA¢/l) cheaperPost your thoughts about this poll below.

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QueenMother Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:7,408 Points:2,146,360 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2009 12:00:10 PM Ignore QueenMother Report Abuse At least 4 cents cheaper.
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,991 Points:3,036,990 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2009 1:38:58 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse If you go 2.5 miles out of your way, and 2.5 miles to come back to your way, you've gone 5 miles. Let's say you're getting 18 to 20 miles per gallon; that means you're using a gallon of gas, roughly 50 cents. So if you buy 15 gallons of gas, save 5 cents a gallon, you've spent 50 cents on your "out of your way" trip, saved 75 cents over buying it not out of your way, and you wasted gas in the first place. All to save 25 cents? Wouldn't it have been easier to not spend the extra time or use gas unnecessarily just to save 25 cents? Are you that cost conscious on everything else? Just to be consistent, I mean. Like not buying Starbucks when other less expensive coffee is available, not buying bottled water because tap water is available, not buying satellite radio because you already have a car radio and not paying for a subscription because you already can receive radio? Didn't buy anything not necessary on your car (in part because you'd save money and in part becaue it increases your insurance)? Just asking if you're consistent when it comes to saving 25 cents by driving out of your way.
Tucker2009 Rookie Author Gary Posts:23 Points:3,230 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2009 12:29:37 PM Ignore Tucker2009 Report Abuse Yes, I would go for that...2.5 is not that far now days.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:30:05 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:29:32 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse Absolutely ... with a 20 gallon tank who wouldn't
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:29:09 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse As long as it's cheaper, by any amount
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:28:48 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:28:27 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse At least US$0.05/gal (1.5CA¢/l) cheape
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2009 2:28:10 PM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse At least US$0.05/gal (1.5CA¢/l) cheape
kissmefla Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,552 Points:456,990 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2008 8:45:55 PM Ignore kissmefla Report Abuse at least 10 cents, and maybe not even then (my time is almost as valuable)
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,991 Points:3,036,990 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2008 8:02:01 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse If gas costs $3 a gallon (it doesn't) and you get 30 miles to the gallon (most people don't - despite what the highway rating is), that means it costs you 10 cents a mile to drive your car. If you drive 2.5 miles out of your way, and 2.5 miles back, you've driven 5 miles, and spent at least 50 cents. So if you buy 15 gallons, you have to save at least 5 cents a gallon JUST TO BREAK EVEN. If you change just one thing - that is, if gas costs more than $3 a gallon, or if you get less than 30 miles to the gallon, or if you buy less than 15 gallons - then you have to same more than 5 cents per gallon JUST TO BREAK EVEN. In many cases, it's cheaper (that is, you're not spending as much money) by buying gas closer, even if it's a few cents a gallon higher priced. As for those who say they'd drive any distance to save money, we'll then you're not concerned with saving on the price of gas; you're only interested in telling people how low the price was; not what you spent (wasted) to get to the lower priced station and back.
gasman14 All-Star Author San Diego Posts:708 Points:202,345 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2008 8:07:22 PM Ignore gasman14 Report Abuse $.15 Cheaper
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 13, 2008 10:19:29 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse At least 5 cents cheaper
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,501 Points:1,674,095 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 24, 2008 9:21:28 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse .05 would be a starting point, but I wouldn't drive out of my way for cheaper fuel... I plan my trips to drive the least possible... That is how you conserve. Time is valuable as well. .10 cents is tempting... Hook'em
narcar1973 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,637 Points:172,475 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2008 9:03:25 AM Ignore narcar1973 Report Abuse $0.03 cheeper.
bobjeep Champion Author Florida Posts:9,709 Points:2,057,710 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2008 12:49:51 PM Ignore bobjeep Report Abuse yes
gasisoutrageous Champion Author Lansing Posts:8,620 Points:930,955 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2008 12:32:51 PM Ignore gasisoutrageous Report Abuse At least 5c/gallon cheaper.
Blubberpuppy Champion Author Baltimore Posts:18,383 Points:1,907,760 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jun 10, 2008 2:31:04 PM Ignore Blubberpuppy Report Abuse Cheaper by any amount.
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 30, 2008 11:44:40 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse About $0.05 cheaper
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,991 Points:3,036,990 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: May 3, 2008 1:56:54 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse If a gas station is 2.5 miles away, that means you're making a five mile trip (2.5 miles there, and 2.5 miles back). If you get 25 miles to the gallon, that means you're using one-fifth of a gallon of gas, roughly 60 cents worth of gas (at $3 a gallon) traveling there and back. That means, assuming you're buying 10 gallons of gas (and no, just because you have a 20 gallon tank doesn't mean you're always buying gas when you're on empty), you have to save at least 6 cents a gallon just to break even. No gain, just to break even. There are a log of people below who wrote: "As long as it's cheaper, by any amount" or "For that distance 1 cent or 2 is enough." If you're driving 5 miles round trip to save money, and you're buying 10 gallons of gas, it costs more in the gas you used, than you saved by buying at the "cheaper" price. So let's expand the example: Say gas at a station next to you costs $4 a gallon and , you're driving 2.5 miles further to get gas (meaning a 5 mile round trip), you get 40 miles to the gallon (and you probably don't), and and you're buying 20 gallons of gas. (Don't count the cost of operating a vehicle) That means it costs you about 44 cents to make the trip. You have to save at least 3 cents a gallon just to break even. If you don't get at least 40 miles to the gallon or buy at least 20 gallons of gas, you have to save more than 3 cents per gallon just to break even. And, using the above example (nearest costs $4, drive 5 miles round trip, get 40 mpg, buying 20 gallons) and the further gas station costs 20 cents less a gallon, by making the 5 mile trip, you'll save $3.50 over buying it nearby. Of course you just spent $76 at the lower priced station (versus spending $80 at the closer station - the 50 cent discrepancy is the cost of the driving to the further station). So, what will you do with that $3.50 you saved? If you buy a Starbucks or do anything but inveset it, you've just used up your savings. So why drive five miles out of you way to get gas when there's little value. Go to a somewhat absurd difference: Gas near you costs $4.50 a gallon, you're driving 5 miles round trip, get 40 mpg, buying 20 gallons, and the further gas station costs you $1 less a gallon (it costs $4 a gallon). Making the 5 mile trip costs you 57 cents in gas used driving there and back. Gas near you would cost $90; gas at the lower priced station would cost you $80. Now you're saving $9 and change. But, if you're getting less than 40 to the gallon, if you're buying less than 20 gallons, or if you're saving less than 50 cents a gallon; your savings will be lower than $9. If you're getting less than 40 to the gallon AND buying less than 20 gallons, your savings will be considerably less. Unless you're getting a significant price difference (not a nickle or dime a gallon) AND you get get very good gas miles AND you're buying more than, say, 10 to 15 gallons, you're savings are relatively insignificant. Think of this: If you get 40 miles to the gallon and have a 20 gallon tank, that means you're getting 800 miles to a fill-up. If you drive 60 miles each work day and 100 miles each weekend, that means you fill up about every two weeks. So if you have a 60 mile a day commute and drive a hundred miles each weekend, you'll probably save a couple dollars a week by driving out of your way just to get gas. But then, if that couple of dollars is that important (and I'm not saying it's not), then you need to also look at other expenses. For example, did you really need all those accessories for your car that increased the cost of insurance? For that matter, did you really need to get another car (rather than fixing a car already paid for) since it costs you money to buy, money to finance, and probably increased insurance, whereas fixing the old car, even if you invested a lot in fixing it, would probably have been much cheaper. Do you really need the bottled water at $1 a bottle or more, or the cup of Starbucks at $3? Do you really need to spend on a lot of other things you're spending on, such as cell phones with unlimited text messaging (or, a cell phone for that matter), an iPod? Do you really need to pay for satellite radio? (It's cost per month is probably the same or more than the price difference between the lower and higher priced gas stations). Just food for thought.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 2, 2008 7:43:53 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 2, 2008 7:43:43 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse Absolutely ... with a 20 gallon tank who wouldn't
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 2, 2008 7:43:14 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 2, 2008 7:42:41 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse At least .05/gal.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 2, 2008 7:42:16 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse At least US$0.05/gal (1.5CA¢/l) cheape
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2008 11:31:34 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse About $0.05/cheaper
Guido4 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:13,069 Points:2,675,240 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2008 7:09:17 AM Ignore Guido4 Report Abuse As long as it's cheaper, by any amount
Dorkchop Champion Author Maryland Posts:11,413 Points:1,799,465 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2008 11:01:21 AM Ignore Dorkchop Report Abuse For that distance 1 cent or 2 is enough.
c47 Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,829 Points:2,307,520 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Feb 20, 2008 6:53:16 AM Ignore c47 Report Abuse as long as its cheaper, by any amount.
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2008 10:38:43 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse At least US$0.05/gal cheaper
Guido4 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:13,069 Points:2,675,240 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2008 9:09:19 AM Ignore Guido4 Report Abuse As long as it's cheaper, by any amount
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2008 6:53:20 AM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse About 5 cents cheaper
ED6 Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,499 Points:1,854,055 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2007 2:49:55 PM Ignore ED6 Report Abuse $0.10/gallon cheaper.
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2007 5:55:06 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse At least US$0.05/gal cheaper
MnSwede Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,063 Points:824,325 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2007 9:23:06 AM Ignore MnSwede Report Abuse At least $0.10/gal
Guido4 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:13,069 Points:2,675,240 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2007 8:07:36 AM Ignore Guido4 Report Abuse As long as it's cheaper
azcarman Champion Author Phoenix Posts:13,098 Points:2,799,385 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2007 7:16:38 AM Ignore azcarman Report Abuse as long as its cheaper
ED6 Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,499 Points:1,854,055 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2007 1:05:52 AM Ignore ED6 Report Abuse At least US$0.05 cheaper.
GasXing Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,223 Points:1,852,835 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2007 2:08:26 AM Ignore GasXing Report Abuse This all depends on how much gas you are planning to buy and also on traffic conditions and the number of stops (traffic lights, etc.) on the way to the station.
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2007 7:14:13 AM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse $0.05/gal or cheaper
Guido4 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:13,069 Points:2,675,240 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 19, 2007 6:34:55 AM Ignore Guido4 Report Abuse As long as it's cheaper
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:11,982 Points:2,464,695 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2007 3:53:00 PM Ignore throttle Report Abuse 10 cents a gallon
truckdude Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,265 Points:1,333,820 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2007 8:46:15 AM Ignore truckdude Report Abuse 5-10 cents per gallon
84bird Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,125 Points:726,855 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2007 12:06:34 AM Ignore 84bird Report Abuse 10 cent
Quazar911 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,070 Points:514,305 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 18, 2007 9:47:25 PM Ignore Quazar911 Report Abuse At least $0.05 cheaper
Gas_Buddy Champion Author Maryland Posts:25,991 Points:3,036,990 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 5, 2007 1:27:02 PM Ignore Gas_Buddy Report Abuse Mwmemt: With a 35 gallon tank, I doubt your mileage is that great to begin with, but even if you were empty and got a 35 gallon fill-up, how much are you expected to save? Ten cents a gallon? If so, you'll save $3.50 if you bought 35 gallons. If you're getting 15 to the gallon, and the gas station is 2.5 miles away (5 miles round trip), it cost you about $1 just to get there and back. (If you get less than 15 miles to the gallon, or if you're buying less than 35 gallons, you save even less by going out of your way.) Considering what you probably spent on your truck, the accessories, and the insurance, maybe buying gas at a few cents more a gallon (but at a closer station) isn't the most you're spending on anything. After all, if you drive out of your way to save a few cents but you're paying for satellite radio, or you stop to get a cup of coffee along the way, you probably spent more than you saved. Best advice? Simply shop competitively near where you are and don't waste gas driving out of you way to save pennies - if you even end up saving anything at all. YB1234: "Absolutely ... with a 20 gallon tank who wouldn't?" Well, that depends; if you're not getting great gas mileage, and you assuming you're not driving on empty all the time, you might not be saving that much; if you're only getting 15 gallons each time, a dime a gallon savings adds up to $1.50 for driving out of you way, before you take into consideration what it cost (in gas and money) to get to the out of the way gas station and back; it might be cheaper (or at least less expensive) by buying closer to where you are, even if the price at the pump is a few cents higher than elsewhere.
Mwmemt Veteran Author Detroit Posts:315 Points:341,090 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 4, 2007 8:40:42 AM Ignore Mwmemt Report Abuse Yes I would. Driving a F-150 with a 35 gal tank, the savings would add up fast.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 4, 2007 8:27:43 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 4, 2007 8:26:04 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse Absolutely ... with a 20 gallon tank who wouldn't
YB1234 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,565 Points:1,739,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 4, 2007 8:25:15 AM Ignore YB1234 Report Abuse So, yes I will drive 2.5 miles out of my way for cheaper gas.