I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. The gas prices have come down a bit since their meteoric skyrocket earlier this year, but we are still at $1.66 to $1.75 per gallon in my immediate area.
What has really been tearing at me is the cost of gas just outside of the Philly area; it has been 20 to 25 cents cheaper every direction I drive away from my hometown.
I can't understand why we are being gouged at the pump.
Example, In September gas was $1.79/gal here, and I visited Baltimore( Norris Ford) and the price for 87 octane was $1.61
I paid $1.66/gal on Friday, in Bristol PA ( Great deal) but saw a station in Allentown today at $1.49, and Monday I saw 1.51/gal in Downingtown.
Does anyone in the Philly suburbs know why we are getting hosed?

 

Oil companies are targeting Major centers ( Big cities) now because that is where the gravy is.

It isn't on the oil companies *Reason for the high price list* yet.

 

This thread is probably more suited for the Pig Pen but here goes:

I'm not in Philly but I would bet that the reason your fuel prices are the same as ours is for the same reasons. You're in a highly populated county, have a major city, have more schools and thus a greater need for City, State & Government funding. Guess what, the tax cuts put into place when Pres. Bush was selected helped our paychecks and the current years tax refunds but did nothing to help the States out. In fact, in order to afford those wonderful tax breaks, the money had to come from somewhere. Hence cuts in funding to the States, higher State, City & Local taxes, especially on luxury items like fuel, cig's and booze. Hey, afterall, it's the minority that uses those three things so who would notice. Also, when you go to re-register your vehicle, you'll see the increase, when you title a new/used vehicle, you'll see the increase and I'm sure there are many more subtle hints that will show just how much this "tax break" has trickled down to everybody. I'm almost afraid to get my real estate tax bill this year. We people in the larger, more dominant, counties feel the hit before anyone else does. If we can live with it, it trickles out to the smaller counties until it's a way of life. Just last summer I thought $1.50 per gallon was high and now I'm wondering why it doesn't go back down to that low price.

No - - - you're not alone, but I don't have the time to drive to the next county in order to save $0.10 per gallon of gasoline. With our traffic level, it's an hour plus ride each way...... They even get you with the home fuel storage companies. "No - we don't allow you to pay for your fuel upfront - you'd miss out on the lower rates when the fuel price drops" Well, guess what, it never does. Well, maybe a penny or so, but in the long run those companies are making a killing also. Our fuel bill has a different price per gallon almost daily and it sure ain't going down. BTW, I'm talking about Diesel for the KW but it would be the same for gasoline.

 

Still around $1.79 in LA. I was in Cleveland, Ohio last summer and they actually raise the price for the weekends and lower it back down on Monday. Could someone please explain how they justify that?

 

they justify it by saying "supply and demand" but the rest of us know what's really going on.