If you’re serious about saving a few cents on gas, one solution could be to move to another state. That might sound extreme, but did you know drivers in Missouri are paying about 20 cents less per gallon than the national average?
That just doesn’t seem fair, does it? But if you live in Missouri, you’re probably not complaining as much as people in, say, California. But why does the price of gas fluctuate so much across the nation?
One reason gas is so “cheap” in Missouri is because the state doesn’t produce any oil for itself. It is, however, close to many other oil-producing states, including Oklahoma and Texas which are two of the biggest oil producers in the country. In addition, many major oil pipelines run through the state and the two huge rivers – the Mississippi and the Missouri – are popular thoroughfares for oil barges.
On the other hand, states like California pay much more for gas because of the distance from major oil supplies. In addition to its location, the Golden State also has the toughest emissions standards in the nation. That requires oil companies to put the product through a more stringent refining method to meet the standards.
Other factors include state taxes. New Jersey, for instance, has the lowest state-imposed gas tax in the nation at 14.5 cents a gallon.
If you’re looking for the least expensive gasoline in your state, the price also tends to fluctuate between individual businesses. Convenience stores and “big box” retailers tend to have less expensive fuel because they have other income besides gas.
Wherever you live, you can make your gas dollars stretch farther by purchasing a new or used fuel-efficient vehicle from a local Buick dealer. With recent technologies, you can be assured that these luxurious cars will get you where you need to go without draining your budget. Test drive one today and see for yourself!
