Higher Gas Prices
 

Anybody changing their travel plans with higher gas priceS?

Nope. Gas prices seem to always be going up.

I'm a little worried about airline prices going up because of the gas prices. If they do go up, prices could well affect my summer plans for vacation.

If my family and I go to the beach our usual three times, that's probably $100 out of the family pockets. Not enough to deter our relaxation. However, compound commuting and vacation added expenses NATIONWIDE, I think I smell a recession around the corner if the oil remains at the current levels or goes higher. Tens of billions of dollars are leaving the US and going overseas. Furthermore, people will curtail spending on other items so they can pay for their gas and utilities. Prices at the supermarket will go up too.

Time to buy a hybrid.

airline prices went up already . 50-60 more per ticket at least.
I checked out Continental

No. And we take the drive up/back to Michigan at least 10 to 12 times before Sept. We do buy our gas in Indiana which is way cheaper than everywhere else- and at least 25 cents under Chicago's price at any time. But I wouldn't give up the lake regardless of gas prices. I have a small car, but we also combine (2 families) and use 1 van now, at times. All told, we don't tow a boat any longer either- we leave it there- and store it there.

Interesting to see if the skiiers and jet-skiiers use less gas on the lake this summer. I doubt it.

Much more concerned about exactly what Shane details. Added costs are going to do damage to numerous industries all the way down the line. Read about the Govinator and the hydrogen car today. Hope that regulation doesn't kill it in its crib.

No, since I drive very little in the USA, it's now cheaper in MX and I own a tiny visible fxn of XOM.
M

It figures gas would go up to almost $2.40 for regular here in So Cal just before my road trip to Arizona! I think some one is conspiring against me! GRRR!

But, nope, not going to cancel. Hotel is paid for and so are the tickets to the Angels game, so I'm locked in. I'll just have to find cheaper places to eat and drink while there. At least it is only for 2 nights! (And I've heard that gas is cheaper in Arizona than California!)

I'm more worried about my 401k than travel prices! Its really taken a hit this month.

Let's see. I noticed most hybrids run approximately $3000 more than the same gas model.

If we figure gas is up 50 cents a gallon from the "usual" (whatever that means) then the extra price would be even at buying 6000 gallons of gas. If you drove a car that only got 15 miles to the gallon, that means that once you've driven 90,000 miles, you've broken even. OK.

Think about what it would do for the environment if we all drove hybrids. Not to mention the lower demand for oil. Who cares how long it takes to break even.

Gee, I agree that hybrids are great for the environment and there are many good reasons to have one, but since this whole thread was about high gas prices and the suggestion to buy a hybrid came as part of it, I foolishly (?) thought that that suggestion somehow related to the savings due to high gas prices. I stand corrected ahhnold. I'm just not used to suggestions that have NOTHING to do with the question asked, as yours apparently did.

Don't get so pissed of about it. After all, if we all drove hybrids, maybe gas prices would not be so high.(good enough for you)

Hmmmm. Who sounds more pissed -- Patrick or ahhnold?

I'd say it's tie (it terms of pissiness).

:)

Boy Patrick! Good comeback.

Ahhnold? Concerned about the environment? What will your administration think of you?

I'm planing 1,200 mile round trip vacation this summer and just today I was trying to figure out how much gas will cost. It costs $40 for me to fill up, so it should cost around $160. Not enough to change plans. But during my day to day I try not to run all over town if I don't have to,

We're flying to Texas mid June for a family visit and to Colorado in late July. Unlike years past, I nixed playing the waiting game for lower airfares and instead bought tickets at a price I could live with. At the moment, it looks like I made the right move.

Cats

If we all drove a little smarter, consolidating trips, more planning, and took the bus more often we'd save a bundle on gas, help the environment, and eventually bus schedules would also improve.

I'm waiting for the next "boycott" where some horses a** suggest that no one buy gas on a certain day --- of course what happens is more gas is purchase some other day; some boycott!

Better would be for each of us to choose a day we don't drive. I don't even call it a boycott, just conservation.

I am taking more road trips this year then last I think. Gas prices were high last summer too. I do notice that airfare is a bit more for our annual summer trip to florida but not by enough to keep us from going.

Arnold, only around 28% of a barrel of crude oil is used for gasoline.

(the percentage is higher once the barrel is refined because it takes about 1/3 of the barrel of crude oil in the refining process)

Our driving trip will probably cost about $80.00 more in gas there and back than it would have last year, so yes, we'll still go. I agree with Viamar, though, that I have been trying to consolidate trips around town, but I've been doing this for awhile.

$2.40/gallon is almost a bargain in the San Francisco Bay Area. We pay more for environmentally friendlier gas - regimented by the state.

But yes, I'd prefer if the U.S. would get off gasoline and onto something more sustainable. Can't we do something with corn?

And boy would I love to see a huge luxury tax on vehicles like Hummers (I'm sorry, but I can't help but think that Hummer owners suffer from low self-esteem).

Well, SFImporter, it seems for some, buying one is the only way they'll ever get a good hummer.

For another take on the Hummer, see the following link:
http://www.fuh2.com/

Looking at these gas prices, I'm glad that I'm able to get by mostly on my monthly subway pass (although I rented a car a couple of months ago for an out of town trip, and filling it up was no fun). All that money I've saved from when my car went kaput last year I'm looking forward to spending on my next vacation (yes, I miss it sometimes, but just wasn't worth it to replace where I live).

Hi

can someone tell me roughly what the gas prices are currently?

Chrissie(UK)

If you are not renting RV and driving for two-three weeks in Alaska you shouldn't feel a big difference. Glad we are not renting RV during our trips West and to Alaska.
Still gas prices are lower than in Europe.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

you can search cities in the US and Canada.

In the UK we are paying about seven dollars a gallon for petrol and deisel

Chrissie, yesterday I saw on the news that the US national average is now $2.10 for regular unleaded gasoline. We pay a little more in Florida. People pay a lot more in California. It varies from state to state and from station to station. But it any case, for someone coming from the US, it will all seem such a bargain, less than half the price you pay there!

However, in my short stint (3 mos) living in the UK, I noticed that much less driving was required for day to day life than in most of the US.

Makes me glad that I drive a hybrid

Vittrad is quite correct. America is more spread out than Europe. Distances in Europe are short. One can drive west coast-east coast in Ireland and cover it in about 3 hours. In comparison, my commute to work is 55 miles one way and takes one hour, twenty minutes on a good day.

Careful Dick. Patrick may be critical of you.

The extra cost for the hybrid was partially offset by..

1. No state sales tax on hybrids
2. $2000. federal tax deduction

Huh? Why would I be critical of Dick's comment? He gave a reason why he's glad he drives a hybrid which relates to the question asked. Makes good sense.
I was "critical" of you, ahhnold, when you defended your statement as having nothing to do with the original question, that's all.

God knows, I'm all for everyone driving a hybrid. I'm sorry if someone misinterpreted my comments about the cost of purchasing a hybrid as indicating you shouldn't get one.

For a while, Virginia (I dont live there) allowed hybrids registered in the state to use the HOV lanes....that would be a big plus.

Happy Easter Patrick!