Using Truck Stops

laknox wrote:

butchfuzion wrote:
I don't get where some folks think fuel is higher at truck stops that regular stations. I am a fanatical user of Gas Buddy and I never pull off for fuel until I have checked out the fuel prices. Yeah, sometimes there is a little mystery station somewhere all the way through a city that is a little cheaper but not enough to wonder what kind of situations you might encounter on the way and plus burning several gallons of fuel getting there.

The other thing that you can hit at a station is that sometimes (often) they only have a couple of pumps for diesel and it is hard to see where they are until you are already in a bind. These stations often don't have room to pull out and take a break if you have a big outfit. Oh, and there will usually be some minivan parked at that pump with all the kids inside using the bathroom and trying to remember what their favorite flavor of ice cream is. No thanks! I will take my chances with the truckers every time.

I've rarely seen truck stops that are =lower= than "in town" prices. Perfect example is a Love's about 8 miles from my house. They're right off I-10 on rez land, so you =know= there are less taxes there, yet I can find diesel all over PHX a =lot= cheaper, the lowest being $3.39 way out in Goodyear vs. $3.66 at Love's. $3.49 within 5.5 miles of me. Love's =used= to be much more competitive, but, even with all the discount cards, etc., you can still find diesel much cheaper within a couple miles. YYMV... I, too, use Gas Buddy whenever possible.

Lyle

When traveling the interstates. Getting fuel is all about access and convenience. Price is secondary. What good is it if the lower fuel price is 5 miles into town at a station that may or may not have easy access?

I'll stick with the truck stops where I can easily exit the interstate and pull up to the pump without a lot of drama. I'm not really concerned if I'm not getting the cheapest price in town.