High automobile fuel prices in DC Metro Area

[Perry]

I've heard predictions of $5/gallon by 2012, but I don't know if that's just bologna or if there is some shred of truth.  By then the economy will probably have picked up some so I guess it's possible.

[WES]

It might not happen, when gas prices went up past 4 bucks a few years ago, people raised heck, changed their routines, took transit and used other modes of non-automobile transportation, which caused gas prices to go down.  Also if the global recession still exists around 2012 could also factor into gas prices not going up.

We can all hope that gas prices don't get to five bucks, though to a point it really doesn't matter to me all that much.

[WayneNYC]

I'm hearing that a $5/gal US fuel price would likely be caused by the significant increase of crude oil being used in China and India.

[WMAveteran]

On Saturday 4/2/2011 I observed the following prices for fuel at the EXXON station at Virginia Avenue and Rock Creek Parkway (near the Watergate):
Regular: $4.69
Mid-grade: $4.89
Premium: $4.99
The $5.00 mark is right-around-the-corner at one location at least! 

[WMATAGMOAGH]

On Saturday 4/2/2011 I observed the following prices for fuel at the EXXON station at Virginia Avenue and Rock Creek Parkway (near the Watergate):
Regular: $4.69
Mid-grade: $4.89
Premium: $4.99
The $5.00 mark is right-around-the-corner at one location at least! 

That gas station is always among the most expensive in the entire DC area.  Tony Kornheiser often discusses it on his radio show.

[Scrabbleship]

On Saturday 4/2/2011 I observed the following prices for fuel at the EXXON station at Virginia Avenue and Rock Creek Parkway (near the Watergate):
Regular: $4.69
Mid-grade: $4.89
Premium: $4.99
The $5.00 mark is right-around-the-corner at one location at least! 

That gas station is always among the most expensive in the entire DC area.  Tony Kornheiser often discusses it on his radio show.

And what's worse is that the Sunoco across the street is about 70 cents cheaper. I know that Exxon has a garage, but I can't think of any reason for a) anyone to use it or b) for them to have had such high prices for years and have not had anyone get on their case.

Exxons in general in DC proper seem to always be high. The Exxons at Connecticut & Nebraska and Connecticut & Porter always are 20-30 cents/gallon more than everyone else in DC. Save for the one on Wisconsin in Bethesda that does Full Service for a $2/gallon surcharge, they seem a lot more tame in the suburbs even as close as the East-West & Colesville location in Silver Spring.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

IIRC, the traffic pattern in that area is such that making a u-turn to get to the less expensive station and then continuing in the same direction is impossible or pretty close to it.  There aren't many other stations in that area, too.

The Exxon at Glen Echo is also very expensive, but there aren't any other stations near it.

[WMAveteran]

On Monday, April 11, 2011 I paid $4.15 per gallon for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel at the Darnestown Shell Station at Rt. 28 and Quince Orchard Road.  This was still 4 cents per gallon less than premium gasoline which was selling for $4.19.  Lucky me! 

[WayneNYC]

These prices make me more grateful for my Honda Civic.  It barely sips fuel, but I gotta shift my own gears:-).

[WMAveteran]

These prices make me more grateful for my Honda Civic.  It barely sips fuel, but I gotta shift my own gears:-).

Looks like we are both on the same page (lol).  I had these high prices in mind when I purchased my VW Jetta diesel which gets between 37 & 50 mpg depending on the type of driving. 

[aznboy4305]

Yeah I'm feeling the pain right now, my car gets anywhere between 10-14 mpg. I just paid $65, at $3.99 a gallon to fill up my tank. Good thing I only fill up once every 4 weeks or so.

[SchuminWeb]

With that kind of mileage, I'm almost afraid to ask: what kind of car do you drive?

[aznboy4305]

I drive a 2003 6" stretched Ford Crown Victoria with almost 200,000 miles on the original powertrain.

[Scrabbleship]

IIRC, the traffic pattern in that area is such that making a u-turn to get to the less expensive station and then continuing in the same direction is impossible or pretty close to it.  There aren't many other stations in that area, too.

Virginia Ave Exxon is now at $5.09 for a gallon of unleaded. The Sunoco down the street is nearly a dollar cheaper.

Upon further investigation, it seems that that Exxon gets most of its money from those filling cars on government expense accounts rather than out of pocket. Why bother keeping a decent cost when someone else is footing the bill. Few people paying out of pocket + high prices = profit, especially since the only way any sane person should go there is if their gas tank is on fumes.

It's a similar principle to why Fairfax Connector hiked the 595/597 fare so high. If you're getting indirect government funds, why not try to get as much as possible?

[SchuminWeb]

And then I think the sane person would only get enough gas to make it to a cheaper gas station.