Gas prices dropping.

[dmc]

I noticed gas prices were a little lower. I filled the wife's car up and the price was 2.03. That's not a big drop, it seems to have been around 2.15 or so for quite a while. I don't really pay that much attention to the price of car gas. The fuel for the plane has been either 2.99 or 3.72, depending on where I buy it for the last year.

so I guess we still have a few years to peak oil.

[pinkytoe]

I guess that's why there are so many huge trucks on the road again. We have short memories.

[ToomuchStuff]

I guess that's why there are so many huge trucks on the road again. We have short memories.

Has there really been a change? I see lots of big trucks still, but instead of delivering to local stores, they are simply delivering from warehouse type stores or places like Amazon. I know there was one group, who had a push to be closed on Saturday, and instead now have Sunday deliveries, and both their fuel costs went up, and the replacement vehicles they are looking at, are not big enough.

[jp1]

We only drive about 3,000 miles/year so gas prices aren't a huge impact on my budget one way or the other. That said, anytime we go away for the weekend we always stop at the Arco station on the southbound 101 in Marin county because gas there is always about 30 cents cheaper than any other station in the area. Last time was 2 1/2 weeks ago when we went to a friend's for a barbecue and I think we paid $2.59.

Prices will probably remain cheap until the saudis give up on trying to drive the oil fracking boom in America out of business.

[Williamsmith]

We only drive about 3,000 miles/year so gas prices aren't a huge impact on my budget one way or the other. That said, anytime we go away for the weekend we always stop at the Arco station on the southbound 101 in Marin county because gas there is always about 30 cents cheaper than any other station in the area. Last time was 2 1/2 weeks ago when we went to a friend's for a barbecue and I think we paid $2.59.

Prices will probably remain cheap until the saudis give up on trying to drive the oil fracking boom in America out of business.

I would be pleased to see the fracking business pick up. Pennsylvania is poised to gather a windfall tax from all the wells that have been drilled and capped. There are signs that the fracking industry is preparing the transportation network that would make this profitable. Perfect timing to help Pennsylvania get a grip on their government funding crisis and great for the economy.

[SteveinMN]

Has there really been a change? I see lots of big trucks still, but instead of delivering to local stores, they are simply delivering from warehouse type stores or places like Amazon.

I suspect pinkytoe is referring to "full-size" (who determined that?) pickup trucks and larger SUVs rather than delivery trucks. Chrysler is no longer offering their Dart and 200 because they just didn't sell, and Ford is looking at moving manufacturing of their Focus compact from Michigan to China (the smaller Fiesta and larger Fusion are already built OUS) because people aren't buying them; they're buying F150s and Edges. Light trucks get far better fuel mileage than they did. But with the price of gasoline historically low, people are reverting to old buying patterns.

[Williamsmith]

Our local gas prices are between 2.49 to 2.53. Just across the state line in Ohio it is 2.05. The difference is Pennsylvanias state gasoline tax. So I drive over to Ohio and buy my gasoline, lottery tickets, alcoholic beverages and bike and dine out there often. Duh?

[Tradd]

Here in the Chicago area I'm paying about $2.30 outside of Cook County. Crook has its own gas tax on top of state and fed, which is crazy. I usually buy my gas outside of Cook (where I live).

I'm happy with the lower gas prices. I'm driving hundreds of miles a week extra due to diving.

[bae]

Instead of a Tesla (the boring choice) I just bought a 4-door sedan with a 6.2L supercharged Hemi engine, developing 707 hp and 650 ft-lb of torque as-delivered from the factory. Top speed is 205mph, 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, 11.0 second quarter-mile times.

On a 5000 mile road trip started the day I bought it, which included ~1500 miles of rather boring break-in driving, I achieved 22.6 mpg. With several passengers, and a trunk full of the entire contents of a recent-model Subaru Outback that had been packed for the road trip. Which is pretty impressive if you think about it.

It's a great time to be into fast cars - there are so many ~500hp+ options right off-the-shelf, for reasonable amounts of money.

[Rogar]

Ever since we broke out of the three and four dollar a gallon gas it's seemed like a bargain. We might be down a dime or two and it's even summer when they ramp up prices. I've never had a fancy car urge, but could see going retro with an old Chevy Bel Air for a town car. There is a company called ICON Derelicts in California that takes vintage cars and completely rebuilds nearly everything, but retains the rust and patina of an old beater. That's my car fantasy. They are very expensive. Here is a short video of their history from Car and Driver magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIh1Sm4DyAE



A long road trip in a big muscle car is not without some vague attraction.