GasBuddy Finds Motorists Can Overspend As Much as $25 Per Fill-Up Across US State Borders
Gasoline price “spread” even wider along state lines
Earlier this summer we found out that a record number of people are traveling more than 500 miles during their road trips, meaning many are crossing state borders. Did you know that crossing state borders can cause you to drastically overpay for gasoline?
We’ve identified the state borders that cost you. Looking at 20 high-risk areas where factors can create wide border differences, GasBuddy data found that price spread differed by an average 44 cents per gallon between the two sides, or $10 per tank – wowza! In some extreme cases, drivers can spend an extra $25 when refueling the tank if on the wrong side of the line.
“Generally, the price spread between states next to each other is the difference in state and local taxes, but can be enhanced if the two neighbors have different types of required gasoline from different regions,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst. “Usually, traveling across state borders isn’t an event that sticks out to motorists who are usually busy taking pictures of the welcome signs, but gas prices can stealthily surge just by crossing over the state line. To avoid overspending, motorists should mind the price spread and look up gas prices on both sides of the border in advance to make an informed decision on where to fill up.”
Top ten border towns that saw the largest differences between stations:
Drivers who live close to certain state borders have noticed the large price difference and regularly cross their state border to save.
Here’s what GasBuddy users who cross the border have to say about their savings:
I’m an expedited driver so I constantly use GasBuddy to help save my company money. I drive on I-40 over the Colorado River in Topock/Lake Havasu, Arizona to fuel up. Traveling from Needles, CA to Arizona is worth it – regardless of using a couple gallons in the process. Fuel is $2.30 a gallon in AZ and nearly $4 per gallon in CA!
– Hunter B. from West Michigan
“I cross the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border on Route 22 into New Jersey to get gas after work. The 20 cents difference in gas prices are more than enough to make up for the extra mileage during the trip. The savings per month could be anywhere up to roughly 30-40 dollars if not more depending on the differences in cost.”
– Shawn H. from Macungie, PA
“I travel from Charlotte, NC to either Pine Hill, Ft Mill, or Rock Hill, SC to fill up. I cross the border to refuel because it’s close to work but mainly for the tremendous savings. I’ll travel to the border on weekends if needed…only about 6 miles! I typically save $40+ per month during the summer months! My GasBuddy app is always the first go to when it’s time to refuel.?”
– Vicky N. from Charlotte, NC
“I’m from Missouri and I work in Leawood, Kansas so I cross the border at least twice every day. The savings are always found in Missouri, rather than Kansas. I save on average $0.10 per gallon and I drive a Tahoe with a 24 gallon tank, so I save roughly $5 bucks a month or $60 a year. Not a lot, but every penny counts!”
– John M. from South Kansas City, MO