Hi. Just read about a 2.99 $ gallon of gas in Big Sur, seems expensive. How much do you pay in the USA ? Best places, companies to fill ( or not ) the tank in California ? And in Las Vegas. It takes count when planing a 2.000 miles trip. Thks

Gas prices are both regional and local - for example, when we were in San Diego 2 weeks ago prices ranged from $1.99 to $2.12 per gallon - sometimes in stations within a block of each other. When we returned home to Boston, prices were $1.75-$1.89.

Ways to save money - most stations have prices prominently posted and just looking down the street can save you a little money. Self-serve stations (where you pump it yourself) are generally less expensive. Some stations give a discount for paying cash rather than using a credit card. Also, almost all vehicles run fine on the lower priced ("regular") gas - you do not need to use the 2 higher octane levels.

Now, with all the obsessing about price (which I do as well) - do some math. If you are driving 2000 miles and getting 20 miles/gallon you will use about 100 gallons of gas. Even if you don't try to economize on gas and pay, let's say, 20 cents more per gallon, that still only adds $20 to the cost of you trip if you were using the least expensive gas you can find.

So, of course, gas will be an expense on your trip, but I would concentrate on having a good time in Calif and Nevada.

The oil companies are in the midst of a major price gouge with retail prices for regular unleaded up to $1.80+/- in southern NH.

Travel was down across the country this year so a late summer ripoff is almost expected.

MM

Seems as though with travel down, the oil companies would have less leverage unilaterally to raise prices.
I understand that the increase is due to the black-out that shut down production facilities in the midwest, together with lower OPEC production and incresed seasonal demand for driving around the Labor Day holiday.

Saudi Arabia, in collusion with Big Oil, have cut production to maintain some relationship between supply and demand.

The 'laws' of economics rarely apply to cartels since they can manipulate the supply without fear of competitors undercutting them.

MM

If anyone is vigilant with this, gas prices always go up around a holiday, beginning of school, spring break and school letting out for summer. Living in a college town, we see prices go up about a week before the term starts, home coming, Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, end of school, and the Babe Ruth World Series (held in our town every couple of years. I usually travel in early June...and watch the prices start climbing in mid May for end of school, Memorial Day and beginning of summer. I disagree with not needing the higher octanes of gas my Park Ave. sputters awful with 87 octane and wants/needs at least 89 or better. Also cheap gas can cost you, I try to stick with Texaco, Exxon or Amoco gas. Don't do credit cards, and find I get better gas milage if I get a tune-up, oil change and filter change before a long trip. Currently Texaco 89 oct is 1.72 per gallon.

Lucky you, Arkansasnurse. My Mobil 89 octane currently costs me $2.19 a gallon in San Diego. The steep increase in California over the last couple of weeks had nothing to do with the season and a lot to do with a broken pipeline in Arizona. I'm sure it won't come downnearly as fast as it went up - if it comes down at all. Of course, George Bush's new energy plan is about to be unveiled, so I guess it won't hurt to have us all unhappy with the cost of gas.We'll be sure to agree to drill in our own backyards then.