# Gas Price Update. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 31, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490 "2005-08-31T21:47:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/21 "2005-08-31T23:50:44Z")
At the place down the street it was $2.89 for the cheap stuff, $2.99 for mid-grade and $3.05 for premium. I paid $2.63 at the same station on Monday for the cheap stuff. Suburban Baltimore. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/22 "2005-08-31T23:53:48Z")
I am driving from Central Florida to the Panhandle for my son’s wedding this weekend. I keep hearing talk about rationing or the unavailibility of gas. My Google search only shows the usual: Prices and reduction in production but nothing definative on the avalibility on the interstates. Anyone hear anything other than rumor about this? This isn’t something I can just cancel or postpone. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/23 "2005-08-31T23:53:43Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > And what’s going on in Atlanta? I saw prices of **$5.87** a gallon!!! What the hell? I said earlier: “there’s a persistant rumor going around Atlanta that Katrina damaged fuel lines supplying the region and they don’t know when they’ll be repaired.” When panicky demand meets unfounded rumor there’s gouging to be done. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/24 "2005-09-01T00:00:55Z")
Toronto: Wednesday morning started out with a shocking rise of about 20% to CAD 1.20 per litre (USD 3.793 per US gallon), but on the way home it seemed to have fallen back to around CAD 1.04/L (USD 3.287 per US gal). On the way to work I noticed that some stations were selling at 1.04/L in the morning also; these stations were mobbed with cars, and the others were quiet and empty of traffic. And to think that on the way back from the country a week and a half ago, we turned up our noses at 1.04/L gas being sold at the Indian River crossing on Highway 7 east of Peterborough, because we knew we could get it at 95c/L in the city… I take the bus everywhere, and always have. The Toronto Transit Commission currently has a fixed-price contract for diesel fuel at 54c/L. Diesel is now up to the same prices as gasoline: between $1.00 and $1.20 per litre. The contract expires in April. I dread what will happen to my bus fare then… ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/25 "2005-09-01T00:05:38Z")
> [@THespos](#): > > Oh, man. I just bought a truck with a 35-gallon tank. I’m screwed. And I can’t throw 87 in it because the manual recommends 89. > > So should I have filled up on my way to work this morning? Are prices likely to have gone up significantly today between 6 AM and 10 PM? Cuz it already costs me over $100 at this morning’s prices. Dude, I truly understand truck love & all that, but I’m not sure that even _before_ Katrina that was a good idea… Although, I suppose if you’ve got the cash to put in the tank, well, it’s your call. And, depending on how much you drive it, you might make it last a while. Yes. Prices have jumped anywhere from 10 cents to 25+ cents per gallon during the day today. Depends on your location. Luckily, around here, most places are still hovering around $2.67/gallon, but I was told my one of the people I work with that there was a station nearby that had gone up to somewhere over $3/gallon by _lunchtime_. (No insult intended, so please don’t take it as such…I personally have problems with the idea of buying a large vehicle these days, but I love 'em. So I _do_ understand.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/26 "2005-09-01T00:11:44Z")
$2.939 this afternoon – [wavery geezer voice]I paid 1/10 that when I started driving.[/wgv] ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/27 "2005-09-01T00:14:26Z")
Note for anybody hearing rumours about prices the other side of town: it’s in every gas station’s interest to ensure such rumours spread, because they result in the “quick, buy now!” reflex. If they can’t tell you exactly where is charging $80/ml, then assume it’s a rumour. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/28 "2005-09-01T00:19:00Z")
In my part of southeastern New Mexico it was $2.97 this afternoon at 4:00. Yesterday at lunch it was $2.67. At 5:00 yesterday it was $2.77. :eek: :mad: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/29 "2005-09-01T00:20:18Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > I said earlier: “there’s a persistant rumor going around Atlanta that Katrina damaged fuel lines supplying the region and they don’t know when they’ll be repaired.” > > When panicky demand meets unfounded rumor there’s gouging to be done. The rumors were flying all over the office today, and on my way home with my 1/2 of a tank, every gas station I passed had lines. The one that didn’t have lines had grocery bags tied around all of their nozzles. The homepage of a local news affiliate has a large bold-type headline: [GOV. URGES CALM OVER GAS](http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=68579), and is also carrying another story with the tag line of [“gas rationing”](http://www.11alive.com/news/usnews_article.aspx?storyid=68582), which (considering the nature of the article) is probably not the smartest idea if the intent is to calm people down. ---
**Author:** ![Obsidian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/30 "2005-09-01T00:24:56Z")
This morning I paid $3.09 for premium ('cause I love me the german engines). Regular was $2.77. This was about 15 miles south of SF. But that’s not really out of line at all around here. I’ve been paying $3 for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/31 "2005-09-01T00:38:18Z")
> [@Unregistered Bull](#): > > In my part of southeastern New Mexico it was $2.97 this afternoon at 4:00. Yesterday at lunch it was $2.67. At 5:00 yesterday it was $2.77. :eek: :mad: ☹ Regular unleaded BTW ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/32 "2005-09-01T00:38:46Z")
What I am wondering is we are paying more money for the gas that was in the tanks below the ground (and presumably) already paid for by the station owner. Who is responsible for the jump in price? Whomever owns the gas station? I want to know who to smite. Someone make me understand the seedy world of gasoline in understandable phrases and words. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/33 "2005-09-01T00:43:36Z")
Our prices in Saskatoon only went from $1.05/l to $1.12/l, but I expect it will climb higher. I’d read something about possible refining issues in the wake of Katrina, so filled up Monday. Hopefully I can sit out the worst of the spike. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/34 "2005-09-01T00:48:46Z")
**Shirley Ujest** , an [article](http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1125483546753&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes) in the Toronto Star today said that the underlying wholesale cost of the gasoline to the retailers (before the takes, profit, etc, were added on) jumped dramatically yesterday. In Toronto’s case, it went from 67c to 82c per litre yesterday. It added that typical stations in urban areas sell out their stock at least once a day, and must order more and refill their tanks: > [@The Toronto Star](#): > > The reason for the quick jump overnight was that the wholesale price (what a retailer pays) rose in Toronto from just under 67 cents a litre yesterday to 82.8 cents a litre, said Cathy Hay, senior associate of marketing consultants MJ Ervin & Associates Inc. in Calgary. > > “So retail markets responded to that jump,” Hay said. “I think people are under the impression that there are days and days and weeks and months of storage underneath the gas station and the reality is that most stations in an urban market are turning their gasoline and getting deliveries every day. There are not stockpiles of gasoline anywhere in the system anywhere.” > > She did say the wholesale price jump of that magnitude was “absolutely unprecedented.” ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/35 "2005-09-01T00:49:23Z")
Filled my tank yesterday for $2.83 a gallon of midrange. The price was $2.74 for the regular stuff. Today it was $3.24 for a gallon for regular unleaded. Methinks it’s time to fix the ole bicycle. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/36 "2005-09-01T00:50:50Z")
I want to know too, **Shirley**! I had 1/4 tank left in my Sentra and meant to go to the gas station yesterday, but it was raining and I was too lazy. So instead of paying US$2.49/gallon, I had the pleasure of shelling out $3.09. Took a little tour of the neighborhood (in the interest of science, of course) and went by 7 gas stations. At 5, it was $3.09, at one it was $3.26 (I don’t understand their pricing; they’re 1/4 of a block from the next gas station and they alternate between matching and wildly exceeding the price at the neighbor’s), at the last it was **$2.23**. :eek: But that station was closed for some type of repair. GT ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/37 "2005-09-01T00:58:45Z")
> [@honeydewgrrl](#): > > The rumors were flying all over the office today, and on my way home with my 1/2 of a tank, every gas station I passed had lines. The one that didn’t have lines had grocery bags tied around all of their nozzles. > > The homepage of a local news affiliate has a large bold-type headline: [GOV. URGES CALM OVER GAS](http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=68579), and is also carrying another story with the tag line of [“gas rationing”](http://www.11alive.com/news/usnews_article.aspx?storyid=68582), which (considering the nature of the article) is probably not the smartest idea if the intent is to calm people down. Our govenor had[this](http://www.wral.com/news/4921679/detail.html) to say about it. ---
**Author:** ![EarthStone777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@EarthStone777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EarthStone777)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/38 "2005-09-01T01:16:38Z")
Well, I suppose it’s some consolation that I’m not alone in wishing I’d filled the tank yesterday. Drove home yesterday and thought about filling the tank. Stupidly I said to myself, “Nope, I want to relax and besides I’m scheduled to get out an hour earlier tomorrow, so I’ll do it then. I have just enough gas for one more commute.” I glanced at the price of gas as I passed the station and saw that it was at $2.51. This morning I was running late and noticed that it was up to $2.67 and I kicked myself for not filling it yesterday and gritted my teeth at the thought of having to pay that much when I got out of work. Tonight I got out of work and was in too much shock to be upset… at having to pay $2.99. I’ve only got a 12 gallon tank and it still cost me $6 MORE to fill it today than it would have yesterday! ---
**Author:** ![Ratling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d26b3c/32.png) [@Ratling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ratling)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/39 "2005-09-01T01:23:40Z")
I live about an hour from Atlanta, and the gas station right by my apartment complex is charging $3.66 for the cheap stuff. There was a 40 minute wait, and you’re not allowed to buy more than 10 gallons. _sigh_ I’m glad I thought to fill up before the hurricane… There was a rumor that they would be completely shutting down the gas pumps at 3 today (they didn’t), and my entire office building cleared out so everyone could try to get some. It was funny, but in a sad sort of way… ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490/40 "2005-09-01T01:35:08Z")
> [@Ratling](#): > > I live about an hour from Atlanta, and the gas station right by my apartment complex is charging $3.66 for the cheap stuff. There was a 40 minute wait, and you’re not allowed to buy more than 10 gallons. _sigh_ I’m glad I thought to fill up before the hurricane… > > There was a rumor that they would be completely shutting down the gas pumps at 3 today (they didn’t), and my entire office building cleared out so everyone could try to get some. It was funny, but in a sad sort of way… If it has been said already: **Welcome Ratling** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-price-update/319490.md?page=3)