what's up with the fuel pricing ?

macmov · Dec 7, 2006

One thing I noticed being on the road, until a year ago you could predict cheap fuel in certain states. GA cheapest, OK, Nj, Mo etc.

Nowadays these states are as expensive and sometimes more then there neighboring states, seems to me there's more to this then meets the eye. Everything used to go up in unison now it's like pick a number and see who's willing to pay.

rode2rouen · Dec 7, 2006

There is more to buying fuel than checking out the pump price. If you are going to be running interstate freight you have to be aware of the fuel tax rates in the various states as well for IFTA purposes.

It is possible to see the same price per gallon in two adjoining states but the one with the higher fuel tax is the cheaper cost per gallon.

Rex

greg334 · Dec 8, 2006

I as some what agree with you rode, the question for me is why does a chain like Pilot have such a wide range of prices within the same state? The taxes are the same (or I assume they are) and they have their own trucks, but where I am sitting, it is $2.62 and it is highest by almost $.10 than the rest of the state - GA.

macmov · Dec 8, 2006

The point that I am trying to make is this. Until a few years ago, you always new where the deals were, it was obvious. whether fuel tax was an issue or not certain states were way cheaper then others. Now you just can't predict prices state to state. And BTW, why thr Hell is diesel so much more then gas all of a sudden? It would always be a few pennies cheaper or more, but never to the extreme of today.

rode2rouen · Dec 8, 2006

>..... the question for me is
>why does a chain like Pilot have such a wide range of prices
>within the same state?
>

As I'm not privy to how Pilot, or the other chains, determine their prices, I really can't answer that.

It's not just diesel. Gasoline prices vary quite a bit, not just state wide but on a local level as well. Here in N.Ridgeville, OH there are two Speedway outlets. One is located at Exit 152 of the oHIo TPK and has 4 competing outlets within a quarter mile, the other is "in town" and has 2 competing outlets within a half mile. The "in town" location's pump price is usually $.02 to $.04 higher than the other.

When comparing pump prices at Speedway locations across the Greater Cleveland area, the spread can be even wider.

I usually don't pay much attention to the actual pump price of diesel, the Co. I'm leased to has a decent FSC program that keeps my net cost per gallon at a tolerable level. I DO pay attention to the fuel tax rate as this has a direct effect on possible IFTA tax liability. Since leasing on I haven't had a fuel tax bill, so I'm going to continue to operate this way.

A handy site is: www.dieselboss.com
there are fuel price listings for all of the major chains

Rex

macmov · Dec 8, 2006

Ok rode2rouen, you bring up another point for me. I want to make a move with my current situation and I'm trying to do as much brain picking as possible. WOuld I be better off leasing on like you? DO you own your own truck and how does that all work?

Tennesseahawk · Dec 8, 2006

Indiana used to be one of the cheapest. Now, they're just plain cheapskates. They charge almost as much as Ohio with a surcharge much less. AND you have to pay a surcharge for their miles. I don't buy fuel there anymore. SC, KY, VA, and MO are always bargains, albeit low IFTAs. GA and FL are a rip, while PA, NY (Flying J near Buffalo in particular), IA, MD, and IL are usually a good bang for the IFTA buck. Personally, I would buy fuel when I need it. I make sure I fill in OH before entering New England (unless I hit Carlisle, PA on the way).

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

Crazynuff · Dec 9, 2006

>The point that I am trying to make is this. Until a few
>years ago, you always new where the deals were, it was
>obvious. whether fuel tax was an issue or not certain states
>were way cheaper then others. Now you just can't predict
>prices state to state. And BTW, why thr Hell is diesel so
>much more then gas all of a sudden? It would always be a few
>pennies cheaper or more, but never to the extreme of today.
Diesel is higher than gas because of the growing demand for it in Europe and China . It will get worse if they start building more diesel vehicles here . The Grand Cherokee will be available with a Mercedes diesel in '07 .