Gas Prices

Cutter's Log - Supplemental

With gas prices going up once more, it's time to get out the gas price listing on the Internet. There are websites that have gas prices listed, submitted by anonymous users with a handle (like message board posters).

When gas was $4.23 at my Shell station in the summer of 2008, I used the website IllinoisGasPrices.com to map out my trips, and figure out where to go. Gas stations are forbidden to give out prices over the phone, in order to be competitive. So this website helps.

As of tonight, all Sterling and Rock Falls stations were $3.55 a gallon. This was a jump from $3.49 the day before. When I put some fuel in my car a couple of days ago, my station was $3.49 while the Shell on the north end of town was at $3.28. They were trying to compete with Kroger just down the road. That Shell and Kroger are now at $3.55. I hate paying that much for fuel, but I need fuel for the games I go to.

In the next month, I will be heading to Rockford, DeKalb, Peoria, DeKalb again and Peoria again, as well as some hardball games (if there's no snow and freezing tempratures). I'll have to give the website I try to see if there's something cheaper than $3.55 along the way.

There is a rule I use for traveling a ways for the sole purpose of fuel. My great uncle, who worked in real estate for many years, would drive to Clinton, IA - about 30 miles west of Sterling - for fuel. Iowa doesn't tax fuel as much as Illinois does. When the difference is $0.30 from Sterling to Clinton, he'll go there.

So that's roughly one cent per mile. Today, if I were to get fuel in Dixon, 10 miles east, the price of gas would have to be no higher than $3.44 to make the drive worth it. That's a penny savings. That penny will come in handy when you go that darn penny over.

Don't forget to take advantage of saver card savings - such as a couple of cents off at Kroger, County Market, Hilander, etc. - even if its not your card.

Do you have a fuel purchasing tip? Either write a comment on here, or message me on Facebook.