There is something happening in the diesel market that is not clear. heating oil and propane here in CA are impacting people more than the price of gas. Heating is more important than gas for the car. For those without natural gas it is a rough winter.
Here is a litany of reasons I found to explain why diesel is on a price run-up:
Reasons for the reversal: Demand for diesel is soaring in China and India as their economies continue to steam ahead. In Europe, more than half of all vehicles run on diesel. And the cleaner-burning diesel fuel now being sold in California is more expensive to produce. In addition, the federal excise tax on diesel is six cents higher per gallon.
And:
The high fuel cost is a relatively new problem for trucking companies. Until a few years ago, diesel fuel - a byproduct of petroleum - was generally less expensive than regular gas. But government mandates to make diesel fuel cleaner and higher oil prices have steadily pushed up the price of diesel. The higher costs coupled with a slowing economy have been hard on the entire trucking industry, but especially so on small companies and independent drivers.
Personally, I do not see how the owner-operators can stay profitable in competing with the big players. Some of the owners I talk to (and have hired) do not really have a good idea of their true operating costs. And in this environment, that is fatal.
The drivers, independent or most company, haven't slowed down to saw fuel costs.
This morning, a county school bus shot past my house doing about 50 mph. In a 30 mph residential zone that has an S-curve and 10 mph cautionary signs. Naturally, the driver doesn't care about the cost of the Diesel fuel he's wasting, because I, and other taxpayers like me, are footing the bill for it! :mad:
On my way home yesterday the prices increased again:
Fuel by home is now at $3.259 (87 octane) at the Jewel & Meijers, up 2 cents, $3.499 at the Mobil and Shell. The Shell & BP by work are the same price.
The Gas City is standing at $3.499 for 87, $2.899 for E85, $4.259 for diesel
Speedway is at $3.439
The Citgos on my route are all $3.259.
This represents another 20 cent jump within one day for the "majors".
Up again! Sunoco Regular is up two cents to $3.13 and "ultra?"93 is up four cents to $3.39! I guess oil companies won't be happy until they run the world economy off a cliff. I just read in the Business section of the Philly newspaper that economists expect the recession to be deeper and the recovery weaker than they predicted.
I have a second job doing physical inventory for retail stores. For me, it's just a part-time gig for pocket money. For the majority, it's their living. One of the requirements of the job is reliable transportation. That DOES NOT mean SEPTA, (Philly's transit system, to the uninitiated).
I started in 1994 @ $6/hr. Hi-Test gasoline was around $1.29/gal. That represented 21.5% of my gross hourly pay.
Today, new hires start at $9/hr. Regular fuel is $3.13/gal. which represents 34.7% of their gross hourly pay, which means a bigger bite is taken from their pay despite a higher hourly wage.
I wonder how long it'll be before low-wage workers decide it is no longer cost-effective to go to work and go on the dole instead?
I wish you'd forward this info to those in Washington as they're only now saying the economy is slowing a tad bit. To them everything is fine and dandy; especially since we're going to get that 600 bucks or so...
Passed by the local Sunoco this morning and noticed the price was up two cents more! Regular is now $3.15 and "ultra?"93 is $3.41. Shoot, why not at least boost the octane rating with the price at least? At these prices, I should be using racing fuel in my ride.
I know where that $600 is going - right into the fuel tank and back to the oil companies. Thanks, W!
A reporter wants to interview people who have switched their daily driver from a truck or SUV to a car within the past 18 months. If you have done so, or if you are considering doing so, and care to share your story, please reply to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Monday, March 17, 2008 and include your daytime contact info and the makes/models involved.
Slight drop of a couple of cents here this morning to $3.27, but that's not the big deal.
In 10 days, the woe and lamentations in this discussion will have been going on for EIGHT years.
I noted this fact when this morning's radio news led with a gloom and doom story about gas prices and decided to take a look back for today's blog entry...
Take a trip down memory lane and read some of our comments from eight years ago. Only the prices are different!
Wow, 8 years doesn't seem that long ago. That was just a few months after I bought my 2000 Intrepid, and I was still delivering pizzas. I remember there was one gas station in our delivery area, a Holmes Oil I think, that was the cheapest place around. If I was doing runs in that area, I'd always make it a point to fill up. It was very common for them to run out of 87 octane. And since they blend 87 and 93 to make 89, that would take out the mid-grade too, forcing you into hi-test.
I remember gas going up over $1.50 per gallon and consistently staying there. The only time in my life I had ever seen gasoline more expensive was during Desert Storm, when it briefly spiked up to around $1.80-$1.90 per gallon.
Wow! A lot has happened in eight years. Eight years ago I was living in my old neighborhood and driving my 1994 Cadillac DeVille. From what I remember, the '94 was a pretty fuel-efficient car for a V-8. It only had the 200 hp 4.9 litre, but it hardly was a slouch. I think it was better on fuel than either my 2002 Seville or the 2007 DTS that followed it up. On the flip side, however, I believe both newer vehicles are much better built. I remember 93 Ultimate sold at the Amoco, (remember them - not "Amoco Fuels" sold at the BP?) was $1.49/gal.
Eight years ago we were heading to new digs in Boise after doing a year long road trip in our minivan. Several times in '99 we had to fill the tank with gas that cost over $3 a gallon up in Canada at some remote stations where the price was .80 a liter. I don't remember the exchange rate being exceptional back then.
I think the most expensive tank was $50 that trip -- that's a "normal" everyday tank fill today for the van.
The Shell Station, I never go to shell for various reasons but I just noticed it last night, on main street in my city had diesel for 4.30ish. :surprise:
last nite I filled up my Intrepid, with 87 octane at $3.259 per gallon. I think 89 and 93 were $3.399 and $3.499, respectively, and Diesel was around $4.099. Gas mileage seemed much better this time around, probably due to a combination of factors. Warmer weather, recent tuneup, and NOT letting my more lead-footed roommate drive it! Oh, I checked the tire pressure the other day, and saw that all four were low. Two were around 25 psi and two were around 30. Owner's manual calls for 36. I put them all up to 40.
As for fuel economy, I did about 170 miles in 12 days, and came out to around 20.5 mpg. Not too bad I guess, considering it was mostly local driving. I was on the Balt-Wash Parkway Wednesday, but it was a bumper-to-bumper parking lot most of the way, so that doesn't really count as highway driving!
The previous tank yielded something like 22 mpg IIRC, which was probably 40% highway, 60% local. After the tuneup, but before adjusting the tire pressure, and colder weather. And my roommate had put a lot of those miles on the car.
The tank before that was only around 16.7 mpg, but that was purely local, colder weather, and my roommate had done just about all the driving.
I'm curious to see what kind of mpg the next tank yields, with the higher tire pressure, and with me being the solo driver.
I'm not overly thrilled about the gas prices, but yesterday's fillup was about $26. Not bad for 12 days of driving.
shot up yesterday by 18 cents on average. On my commute petrol is now at:
$3.459 for 87 $3.579 for 89 $3.699 for 93
At the local E85-selling station, it is $2.999 for the corn fuel. Diesel is coming in at $4.109 from the few stations that advertise.
The petrol prices are coming right in line with the articles I've read, but they seem to be a couple months early as it was stated we weren't going to hit around $3.50 average until late spring. It was snowing a tick here on Tuesday afternoon, still winter somewhat!!
I got gas today and I normally go into Jersey since It's a big difference in price compared to Pennsylvania prices. The last time I got gas was Sunday and it was $3.05 then. I go get gas this morning and it's $3.14 for unleaded!! Granted, it's not that much compared to alot of the country. Lucky for me, I didn't have an empty tank (and don't like to) And it came to a total of $27.00 for 8.576 gallons in my SE-R.
Prices of the BP in Titusville, NJ $3.14 $3.23 $3.40
Jersey always seems to have the lowest prices, at least according to people who report here. Even for captive audiences on the NJTP, prices are always reasonable, considering what greets you in New York City.
Georgia used to be low also, but I think they've raised their gas taxes in the interim.
I've never had an issue finding cheap gas in Jersey, especially in the smaller towns. I know there's one up in North Plainsfield or close to it that's really cheap.
I filled the Lexus today and paid $3.78 for Premium at Costco. $3.58 is about as cheap as you can find around here for Unleaded.. Diesel has held most places at $4.15.
The highways are still crowded and folks driving like gas was a buck a gallon.
Thanks Steve. I haven't checked yet but it should be a little higher today since petrol by me ticked up at most places to $3.559 for 87 octane, with the higher grades having a 10 cent spread each. I was lucky to find it for $3.459 at the Mobil near home yesterday as my regular spot ticked up to $3.559.
I know on Saturday regular grade was $3.70 in the city (outside from the Loop) so it's got to be higher.
Yes, a 30 cent spread between mid and premium is outrageous!! I'm not sure if it's going to continue but we've been getting + 10 cent increases weekly here. I'm figuring since it's supposed to break the 60-degree mark this week petrol prices should shoot up again by Friday.
That's a name and half for a gas station. I'm still not used to seeing WaWa stations when traveling east. All our stations are simple and bland around here.
Comments
Reasons for the reversal: Demand for diesel is soaring in China and India as their economies continue to steam ahead. In Europe, more than half of all vehicles run on diesel. And the cleaner-burning diesel fuel now being sold in California is more expensive to produce. In addition, the federal excise tax on diesel is six cents higher per gallon.
And:
The high fuel cost is a relatively new problem for trucking companies. Until a few years ago, diesel fuel - a byproduct of petroleum - was generally less expensive than regular gas. But government mandates to make diesel fuel cleaner and higher oil prices have steadily pushed up the price of diesel. The higher costs coupled with a slowing economy have been hard on the entire trucking industry, but especially so on small companies and independent drivers.
Can't find a lot of other good reasons.
Mt. Arlington Exxon, Mt. A, NJ
87 - $3.039
89 - $3.189
93 - $3.349
diesel - $3.999
A personal record of $121.50 for 30.383 gallons of D2.
kcram - Pickups Host
kcram - Pickups Host
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
This morning, a county school bus shot past my house doing about 50 mph. In a 30 mph residential zone that has an S-curve and 10 mph cautionary signs. Naturally, the driver doesn't care about the cost of the Diesel fuel he's wasting, because I, and other taxpayers like me, are footing the bill for it! :mad:
kcram - Pickups Host
87 octane - $3.499
Diesel - $4.299
Fuel by home is now at $3.259 (87 octane) at the Jewel & Meijers, up 2 cents, $3.499 at the Mobil and Shell. The Shell & BP by work are the same price.
The Gas City is standing at $3.499 for 87, $2.899 for E85, $4.259 for diesel
Speedway is at $3.439
The Citgos on my route are all $3.259.
This represents another 20 cent jump within one day for the "majors".
I have a second job doing physical inventory for retail stores. For me, it's just a part-time gig for pocket money. For the majority, it's their living. One of the requirements of the job is reliable transportation. That DOES NOT mean SEPTA, (Philly's transit system, to the uninitiated).
I started in 1994 @ $6/hr. Hi-Test gasoline was around $1.29/gal. That represented 21.5% of my gross hourly pay.
Today, new hires start at $9/hr. Regular fuel is $3.13/gal. which represents 34.7% of their gross hourly pay, which means a bigger bite is taken from their pay despite a higher hourly wage.
I wonder how long it'll be before low-wage workers decide it is no longer cost-effective to go to work and go on the dole instead?
I wish you'd forward this info to those in Washington as they're only now saying the economy is slowing a tad bit. To them everything is fine and dandy; especially since we're going to get that 600 bucks or so...
Oh wait, I forgot, they don't read
No need to forward the info.
$3.37 midgrade
$3.49 premium
$3.95 diesel (holding steady this week)
I know where that $600 is going - right into the fuel tank and back to the oil companies. Thanks, W!
87 octane - $3.499
Diesel - $4.459
In 10 days, the woe and lamentations in this discussion will have been going on for EIGHT years.
I noted this fact when this morning's radio news led with a gloom and doom story about gas prices and decided to take a look back for today's blog entry...
Panic Button
Take a trip down memory lane and read some of our comments from eight years ago. Only the prices are different! :P
Wow, 8 years doesn't seem that long ago. That was just a few months after I bought my 2000 Intrepid, and I was still delivering pizzas. I remember there was one gas station in our delivery area, a Holmes Oil I think, that was the cheapest place around. If I was doing runs in that area, I'd always make it a point to fill up. It was very common for them to run out of 87 octane. And since they blend 87 and 93 to make 89, that would take out the mid-grade too, forcing you into hi-test.
I remember gas going up over $1.50 per gallon and consistently staying there. The only time in my life I had ever seen gasoline more expensive was during Desert Storm, when it briefly spiked up to around $1.80-$1.90 per gallon.
I think the most expensive tank was $50 that trip -- that's a "normal" everyday tank fill today for the van.
Gasoline price spike has only just begun (CNN)
87 - $3.029
89 - $3.149
91 - $3.249
93 - $3.269
diesel - $3.959
$110 for diesel this morning... :sick:
Mount Arlington Exxon, M. A, NJ (last night)
87 - $3.179
89 - $3.349
93 - $3.489
diesel - don't want to know... (it's not on the main sign anyway) likely somewhere around $4.159
kcram - Pickups Host
That said, it's not going to ever come down to anything approaching that now as the world wide increase in vehicles isn't going to stop.
We passed the $3 mark here last week. I'm anywhere from $3.019 to $3.039 where I buy.
Diesel best price: $3.65
Diesel at Sheetz (on my way to work) is $3.89.
As for fuel economy, I did about 170 miles in 12 days, and came out to around 20.5 mpg. Not too bad I guess, considering it was mostly local driving. I was on the Balt-Wash Parkway Wednesday, but it was a bumper-to-bumper parking lot most of the way, so that doesn't really count as highway driving!
The previous tank yielded something like 22 mpg IIRC, which was probably 40% highway, 60% local. After the tuneup, but before adjusting the tire pressure, and colder weather. And my roommate had put a lot of those miles on the car.
The tank before that was only around 16.7 mpg, but that was purely local, colder weather, and my roommate had done just about all the driving.
I'm curious to see what kind of mpg the next tank yields, with the higher tire pressure, and with me being the solo driver.
I'm not overly thrilled about the gas prices, but yesterday's fillup was about $26. Not bad for 12 days of driving.
Diesel best price: $3.85
Diesel $4.25 (on I-90 where all the truckers have to buy) :mad:
Prices are high so we can afford the best hookers.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Regular is holding at $3.29 here.
87 - $3.079
89 - $3.269
93 - $3.439
and diesel? See for yourself, courtesy of the cell phone camera:
$131.25 for 30.75 gallons... :sick:
kcram - Pickups Host
Around here (central VA), we've had a tiny drop in gas prices, to about $3.13 for 87, but diesel at Sheetz is stuck at $3.89.
$3.459 for 87
$3.579 for 89
$3.699 for 93
At the local E85-selling station, it is $2.999 for the corn fuel. Diesel is coming in at $4.109 from the few stations that advertise.
The petrol prices are coming right in line with the articles I've read, but they seem to be a couple months early as it was stated we weren't going to hit around $3.50 average until late spring. It was snowing a tick here on Tuesday afternoon, still winter somewhat!!
Maybe we need a new way to look at gas :P
Matter Of Perspective
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$3.35 regular
$3 47 midgrade
$3.57 premium
Diesel didn't budge; holding up at $4.25. (sure looks like a hold up!).
Lowest yesterday was $3.19 at Hess. I'm facing $50 fillups now with my Camrys if I let the tanks run on empty.
Remember not so long ago when we used to gloat that the Europeans had to pay the equivalent of $4 a gallon?
Prices of the BP in Titusville, NJ
$3.14
$3.23
$3.40
Georgia used to be low also, but I think they've raised their gas taxes in the interim.
Gas Tops $4 A Gallon At Some Chicago Pumps (cbs2chicago.com)
The highways are still crowded and folks driving like gas was a buck a gallon.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I know on Saturday regular grade was $3.70 in the city (outside from the Loop) so it's got to be higher.
What's different is they have premium for $3.81 - a .30 spread over midgrade, instead of the twelve cents that seems typical in my area.
Diesel is holding at $4.25 most places.
Is that a name brand station? I'd seen a $.12 spread occasionally when traveling, but it's all $.10 around here.
The cartel raised everything Monday to $3.45 but a few stations are back down to $3.15 already in a low-priced area north of town.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It's a Stinker. I sat at the light for a minute or two staring at the sign so....
Another Stinker is showing $3.45 for premium across town, so maybe the owner of this one is trying to make a boat payment or something.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,