wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I posted this thought in another thread but thought it deserves a thread of its own. During our shakedown cruise last month January, 2015) I noticed that the big truck stops - FlyingJ/Pilot, Loves, and others - were pricing their products (diesel and gasoline) much higher than competing fuel stops. I'm talking 40-cents a gallon higher. This far surpasses any savings an RVer would get from using loyalty discount cards Just this morning, looking through GasBuddy, I could see discrepancies in pricing that would easily pay for lunch (or more, depending upon what your fuel tank can hold). Loves in Ritzville, WA (right next to I-90) is $2.93 for diesel 76 Station in George, WA (right next to I-90) is $2.39 for diesel They are about 70 miles apart. Same state. Same taxation. That amounts to $0.54 per gallon and over a 100 gallon fillup it's $54.00!!! I'll pass Ritzville by and go to the one at George (or stop at George first and then continue east) every day. OR: Pilot in Sacramento, CA diesel is $3.19 Chevron in Woodland, CA has diesel for $2.79 I filled up at the Chevron. Drove right past the Pilot. They're less than 40 miles apart! The big truck stops are certainly easier... but if I had someone willing to hand me two $20 bills to drive down the road and fill up - even if I had to unhook the toad (which I never had to do) - I'd jump all over that. So what's going on? Are they just taking advantage of us? WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasttruck Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Gas Buddy is a nice app to have and use. Jim & Vickie'07 F150'10 Chalet XL1935Chimacum, Wa Evergreen Coho SKP Park Website: http://www.evergreencohoskprvpark.com/ Evergreen Coho SKP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evergreen-Coho-SKP-RV-Park/563601217103332 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 They could care less about "us". Their market is over the road trucks and they need fuel no matter the price, so the market, while still somewhat competitive, is thus an inelastic market. If they lower the price they do not sell appreciably more, if they raise it they do not sell appreciably less. The OTR trucks need the big lanes and the high volume pumps - when I fill up I take 225 - 250 gallons. I am not happy about it, but I will pay more to be able to fill both tanks simultaneously with high volume pumps. Plus I prefer getting fresh diesel from a high volume location since it will sit in my tanks for a while. Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 They could care less about "us". Their market is over the road trucks and they need fuel no matter the price, so the market, while still somewhat competitive, is thus an inelastic market. If they lower the price they do not sell appreciably more, if they raise it they do not sell appreciably less. The OTR trucks need the big lanes and the high volume pumps - when I fill up I take 225 - 250 gallons. I am not happy about it, but I will pay more to be able to fill both tanks simultaneously with high volume pumps. Plus I prefer getting fresh diesel from a high volume location since it will sit in my tanks for a while. Actually, the lower price station in George, WA has dual high volume pumps. And if you don't think they push out a lot of diesel at that price.... well.... WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 They are not taking advantage of you. If you buy at the cheaper stations. And you can get in & out of them with no problem. And then hope those stations have a big turn over and no bad fuel. I don't travel in CA or WA I just cheked Gas Buddy and at my 1st stop(GA) going N. Flying J Diesel is $2.79 all the other 14 stations in that area range from $2.58 to $3.29 My 2nd stop(GA) Flying J is $2.59 the other 16 stations in the area $2.56 to $3.19 My 3rd stop(KY) Pilot is $2.95 the other 7 in the area $2.69 to $2.94 So no real big saveing at the other brand when I use my Flying J/Pilot discount card. Fuel up park & go inside for a meal that most of the other places don't have. Plus after swiping the Flying J card I use either my Visa 3% or Discover 5% discount for fuel. So stop 1 cost me $2.63 or less Stop 2 $2.44 or less Stop 3 $2.78 or less Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Perhaps some stations locked in the price they paid for fuel some time ago and oil prices declined faster than they could keep up with. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 We have found the same as Biker. And we use Gas Buddy all of the time. When in the Seattle area always try to fill up at Union 76 station at Smokey Point north of Seattle - cheapest around and just follow the trucks in. Whatever works for you. Remember, when looking at truck stops along interstates, it will be dependent upon how much traffic and nearby competition there is. If you are out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing else around, then the cost is going to be higher because of less traffic. And if you have to drive extra miles, at 8 mpg for us, that may erase any savings. If cost is within 10-15¢ then we are going with the truck stop - fresh fuel, straight in, etc. If more, then we will look at where it is and how easy to get in and out. Ease of getting in and out are important to us. Barb Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha_j Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I totally agree with the OP's premise. Truck stop diesel is typically higher, often much higher than buying diesel at normal gas stations. This odd state of affairs with truck stop diesel having higher prices has not always been the case. In fact, the situation very much was the reverse for many years past. I ball-park the change when Pilot bought out Flying J.Flying J used to have the lowest diesel prices in the area. Sadly, this is no longer the case. And it seems pretty much all truck stops have followed in this direction. I often find the cheapest diesel at grocery stores and those kinda fills need to be unhitched and bobtail. If we are traveling I will not unhitch JUST to fill, but I will always seek out a truck stop alternative prior to hitching up and leaving an area to hit the road. When traveling, egress is just as important as price. With a 108 gallon capacity, I am fortunate to pick and choose where and when I take on diesel. Sasha and Laura SOLD: 1999 Ford F450 7.3 PSD CC 4x2, Roll-A-Long Hauler Bed, 15,000 GVWR, 26,000 GCVWR, PacBrake PBRX, AIRSAFE 25K Air hitch & KSH 80 Gal Aux Tank/Tool Box Combo 2006 FR Sandpiper Sport F37 Toyhauler, 16K GVWR, 7K axles, 17.5" Wheels, 600W Solar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 If cost is within 10-15¢ then we are going with the truck stop - fresh fuel, straight in, etc. If more, then we will look at where it is and how easy to get in and out. Ease of getting in and out are important to us. What do you do if the "extra miles" are on your route anyway and the cost per gallon is 40-cents? I'm wondering why so many brand name truck stops are running higher prices. Another example: Loves at Ellensburg, WA: Diesel $2.89 per gallon Shell in Kititas, WA: Diesel $2.39 per gallon. Kittitas is the NEXT exit east of Ellensburg (not counting the route to Yakima). The stations with cheaper fuel are not small stations located well off the freeway or major roads. They are right along the Interstate. They're not official "truck stops" but they are not difficult to get into and out of and many of them have dual high-volume pumps. Barb's Smokey Point 76 is at $2.45. Pilot at Ferndale, WA (right next to a major refinery): $2.79. Right now, at least on the west coast, make sure you know what you're paying (unless you simply don't care). But up and down I-5 (at least to Sacramento) and east/west on I-90 (at least to Spokane) the big name-brand truck stops are likely to be MUCH higher in price than equal access (but not name brand truck stops) fuel stops. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Remember, when looking at truck stops along interstates, it will be dependent upon how much traffic and nearby competition there is. If you are out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing else around, then the cost is going to be higher because of less traffic. I don't think that's true; at least not any longer and certainly not for the west coast. It certainly doesn't explain why truck stops along the same route only 30 to 80 miles apart can have $0.50 price differentials for the same product. It might reflect "conventional wisdom" but that is often as much a product of marketing tactics as anything else. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Perhaps some stations locked in the price they paid for fuel some time ago and oil prices declined faster than they could keep up with. Greg That's certainly possible. Exxon, Shell, Chevron and Arco all have refining capabilities that Flying J/Pilot do not have. So if they bought fuel on futures contracts months ago that could explain it. Doesn't explain why Valero can match the low prices though. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 We just completed a car trip from the coast of MS to western PA and back. Even in areas where there were lots of options even gas was 5 to 10 cents more expensive at Pilot\flying J. Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Some time back when oil approached the $150 a barrel the big gas stations forward purchased their fuel. Gambling that the price they paid would be less than the future price. Flying J got caught and that bought about their downfall. It's quite possible that the big gas stations are still selling fuel that they purchased when fuel was $100 a barrel. So what do they do? Compete and sell at a loss or tough it out until they have new fuel at current prices? The up side is that WHEN, not if, oil price head north those big stations currently selling high may well be selling low. Then will there be any complaints? regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocroc Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Depends where you are! Filled Motorhome with diesel on a return trip leg this last Sunday in Eloy, AZ at Flying J. Price was as cheap as Tucson and Gas Buddy will support this statement. All the other Eloy Truckstops were the same. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airstream harry Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Here in Rockport most stations are Valero. There is a 3 to 4 cent difference from one end of town to the other. There is one Esso station that is always 10 to 15 cents higher no matter the price else where. It does a good business. Go figure. c u on the road airstream harry 2000 Land Yacht MH 2007 Saturn Ion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Maybe FJ/Pilot buys futures in different parts of the country and got caught. That would actually account for the 40 to 50-cent differences (which would be way too high to be a result of simple transportation costs). There could also be a bit of marketing. I wonder how many trucking firms have accounts at FJ/P and their drivers are told to go there regardless. And Barb's assertion of "we don't count" would add in there somewhere... cuz RVers have to be a pretty minor percentage of the equation. So if some FJ/Pilot suit bought futures at the wrong time in about October of 2014 he's (or she) might be filling out applications about now. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 So if some FJ/Pilot suit bought futures at the wrong time in about October of 2014 he's (or she) might be filling out applications about now. That's what happened to Flying J in 2009 after the recession crash - Flying J had bought to many expensive futures and ended up having to sell out to Pilot to avoid bankruptcy. Barb Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsabouttime Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Is it possible there are road taxes on fuel for the big trucks that do not apply to the rest of us? Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 When I had the truck and fifth wheel I worried about ease of access....especially when I was double towing. Now even with a 40 ft motorhome I find no problem in filling at a Valero , Quick Time or Circle K .....and you cant tell me that they have stale fuel. I have saved significant $$ by avoiding the truck stops. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newt Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I detest truck stops. You don't have to worry about the diesel at a filling station with low prices being stale. The pickup boys keep it flowing. Newt 2012 HitchHiker Discover America 345 LKSB 2009 Dodge/Cummins LIVINGSTON TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeFulltimers Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Truckers are not paying advertised prices for fuel. There are discounts given that aren't seen by the RVing public. Fulltiming since September 1, 2010 2012 Ford F-350 PSD SRW Lariat Crew Cab 2012 Montana 3585SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Good point there, fulltimers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartmouth01 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Been making the trip from the bay area to tahoe via I80 every weekend to go skiing. I've managed to fill up the truck with under $2.50/ gal diesel (cash), mostly in fairfield/Vacaville or the foothills. I use Gasbuddy to scout ahead knowing how far I have left in the tank. If I'm towing the trailer, I also use satellite view in Google maps to check out the size of the gas station and the best in and out points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ijitterbug Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Slightly off the primary “subject” matter….. But, take a look at what the “other half” pays for fuel in their pursuit of enjoyment? Super Bowl trip from the East coast to Phoenix and return via a Hawker 850XP $4.02 per mile just for fuel! Jet A fuel…. $6.64 gal. Teterboro, NJ $5.59 gal. Phoenix, AZ R/T distance 3,702 Nautical miles Average block speed 406 kts per hr. 265 gallon per hour consumption Total fuel consumed 2,438 gallons @ $6.11 per gal. avg. Total fuel cost for R/T $14,896.00 There are only two kinds of people in the world.....Those who think they can, and those who think they cannot. They are both right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Slightly off the primary “subject” matter….. But, take a look at what the “other half” pays for fuel in their pursuit of enjoyment? Super Bowl trip from the East coast to Phoenix and return via a Hawker 850XP $4.02 per mile just for fuel! Total fuel cost for R/T $14,896.00 I guess we should be grateful that we don't have to fuel up at a Jet-A fuel stop!!! (I'm guessing they don't use "JetBuddy".) Even so, that's 1.7 (statute) miles per gallon which might compare favorably with some of the larger (and heavier) motor homes. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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