Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

A HERETIC I AM

(24,892 posts)
17. It is important to remember that when you pay for a gallon of gas...
Fri May 1, 2026, 07:51 AM
May 1

The money that the gas station gets from its customers is used to buy the next tanker full, not the last.

So they have to charge what they anticipate the next tanker truck full of fuel will cost them to be delivered.

A gas station raises its prices according to future cost, not past cost. It’s the only way to run that kind ofbusiness.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Not you, but I wonder how much gas people waste GenThePerservering May 1 #1
We don't live where we have the option to walk (or bus), unfortunately. Ms. Toad May 1 #3
It's good that you report the prices to GasBuddy nilram May 1 #6
I drove by six different gas stations before and after work today Inkey May 1 #2
B-b-b-baby RockRaven May 1 #4
Probably correct. n/t Ms. Toad May 1 #5
So... BurnDoubt May 1 #7
A few days ago my costco was 4.95 and I thought I should go fill up... nilram May 1 #8
Fortunately our local Costco is nearly always the cheapest. n/t Ms. Toad May 1 #13
I spoke with a Costco employee once who said that was always their goal nilram May 1 #22
$5.65 at Food-4-Less with .10 discount. BidenRocks May 1 #9
Can confirm EuterpeThelo May 1 #11
I also post prices on GasBuddy, joined back in 2010 Rhiannon12866 May 1 #10
Supply equals Demand Strelnikov_ May 1 #12
Same happened in Maryland pimpbot May 1 #14
Yup: I reported .70 jumps between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning where I am Prairie Gates May 1 #15
I noticed the price really jumping yesterday Renew Deal May 1 #16
The lowest around here is $4.25 (3 stores) Ms. Toad May 1 #19
It is important to remember that when you pay for a gallon of gas... A HERETIC I AM May 1 #17
That doesn't explain multiple price jumps in a single day Ms. Toad May 1 #18
Jumped $1.00 in West Michigan Johnny2X2X May 1 #20
I still have around 380 miles to go before I need to fill up. I'm still driving with the full tank of gas I got with Raftergirl May 1 #21
Mostly $4.99 in Lansing Michigan since yesterday... Jack Valentino May 1 #23
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Today was quite the doozy...»Reply #17