Websites Show Cheapest Gas Prices

By: Chris Pollone/NBC 13 | Alabama's13.com
Published: May 12, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- In the quest to save a few bucks at the pump, the smart consumer these days is letting his fingers do the driving.

They’re surfing to websites listing gas prices for every station in the area and saving up to 44 cents a gallon in the process.

Surprisingly, few drivers we talked to say they check prices before heading out the door.

“I just kind of pull up and fill up, of course look across the street, see who's cheapest and that's where I head,” Jason Powell told us as he filled up on Highland Avenue.

Pop your zip code or a full address into a site like gasbuddy or mapquest and gas stations pop out of maps with prices from regular to diesel listed.

Some sites have calculators so you can figure out exactly how much you'll save by driving a few extra miles to buy cheaper gas.

UAB marketing expert Bob Robicheaux says consumers are reaching a point where they're finally reacting.

“We know that consumers in the United States have been incredibly insensitive to increases in price. They complain a lot, but it hasn't actually changed. “we're reaching a threshold where people's behavior actually changes,” Robicheaux said.

Sales of gas guzzling SUV's are down.

Drivers are combining or eliminating trips.

That's why Robicheaux believes gas price websites might be on the edge of something big and consumers are becoming more open to the idea of surfing the web before they cruise the streets.

Driver Stephanie Stricklin saidn, “If it starts getting up to four dollars a gallon, I probably will. It's too much money.

Most gas price websites will tell you how old the prices are.

The more recently they've been recorded, the more accurate the listings will be.

Gas Price Tools—

Websites:
www.gasbuddy.com
www.gaspricewatch.com
gasprices.mapquest.com

Mobile devices:
Mobile.aol.com
www.getmobio.com/learn/cheapgas

Desktop Widgets:
www.automotive.com/widgets/gas-prices/index.html
www.interdimensionmedia.com/widgets/index.html   (Mac)
www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/transportation/gas.html   (Mac)

Calculators:
Gasprices.mapquest.com
www.fuelcostcalculator.com

Websites Show Cheapest Gas Prices

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