Gas prices are going wild

Yikes! Just paid $2.75 at Southern States. And, they sell 50 cetane diesel, so better burn/better mileage.

 

Correct. Winter blend does cost more to produce due to anti-gel additives, etc.

I miss the days of regular diesel. In 2005 I remember paying $.75 for a gallon, then thanks to new government regulations, the new formula ultra low sulfur diesel became mandatory....and diesel cost doubled overnight.

 

The rise in popularity of diesels with the bro's and business men didn't help much either

 

I am surprised as our prices have held pretty steady since just after Christmas. Okay, I noticed they went up by 1 cent since Friday. Paying $2.34 here (actually less since I use their debit card and get a discount at both Cumberland Farms and Irving/Circle-K)

 

One thing I've been noticing over the past 6 or so months. The further northwest I go from Pelham in about a 30-45 minute timeframe, the prices have been cheaper for some reason. Which makes no sense, being further from the racks, so delivery charges would be higher.

 

The further north you go, the more likely they are using Canadian providers, not US suppliers. Don't know why that makes it cheaper than our northern neighbors though unless it all comes down to the Fed & state taxes collected in USA versus CA.

 

It all comes down to shipping and taxes.

When I say northwest, I mean Hillsboroish still well within the area that the fuel would probably be coming from Boston.

 

Might have to do with the number of stops they need to make to unload a 5000+ gallon tanker truck and how close those stops are to each other.. A high volume gas station that can take a while tanker at once would likely pay less in shipping than a low volume provider closer to Boston.. Overhead could be a lot different with property taxes, heat, insurance and employees.. Many stations rely heavily on the convenience store revenue vice gas sales margain to make their profit.

 

I can guarantee that Hillsboro gas is more expensive than Goffstown gas by about 10 cents per gallon.

 

Summer blend gasoline is more expensive to produce as it has to withstand higher temperatures without evaporating at a high rate. Summer blend also has a slightly higher energy content which is one reason why you get better gas mileage in the Summer. Most cars' emission control computers can adjust drivability for the slight differences in formulae.
If you use Summer blend in the Winter you can have starting problems and rough running. You might even notice it in a chain saw using pump gas.
The evaporation rate control is mostly to reduce smog and ozone in cities and high density areas. By controlling evaporation rates.

Prices are up now due to demand and low supplies. Local/regional/national. (much of ) OPEC cut production to remove the glut of fuel that was keeping prices low. It is working. For now.