Fuel Prices

[yogi154]

We got a call from friends that they wanted to scrap the Alaska trip. I still wanted to go ,but Marti wants to wait safety in numbers. I guess the 15,500 mile trip would be tough on the Wallet. I had figured about $ 10,000 for fuel, but we were going for four months. I guess it's Plain to see who'z the Boss. We are planning a trip out west to Yellowstone, Bad Lands, and other places along the route.

[Gibby3275]

You only live once! Go for it. Who knows what will happen in the mean time.

Is a few thousand dollars more really going to stop you from making the trip of a lifetime?

[Denise]

I know you've guys have been looking forward to this trip for a while. I sorta have some regrets that we didn't follow through with our plans with that 3 month trip back east last month. But for us it was best in the long run as we have some pretty expensive travel plans set for fall. If you don't need to save for anything else, make that trip to Alaska. I've known several folks who have taken the journey in recent years by themselves and not only did well, but made some pretty neat memories!

Definitely, post pics when you go so the rest of us can vicariously enjoy the trip through you and Marti!

[yogi154]

We met with a load of friends from the Escappees club yesterday. I was suprised how many people were canceling there plans for traveling. The boss lady wants to do the western swing for the summer. I'm game for anything as long as we are rolling.
One person asked me about what I thought fuel would cost I budgeted $ 10,000 for just fuel. The other people thought that $ 4,000 was about right. I knew I am high but not that high. Well I guess we'll see next year as we are going with or without the other people. Good Lord willing and the Creek don't rise !!

[rodro123]

Yogi I can remember when I was 16 years old, dad let me use the family car but he said you must replace the gas you use well back then we had a big old buick and gas was $.29.9 per gallon so I put in $1.00 worth. Sunday I filled the truck 25 gallons @ 4.09 per gallon was $102., Filled the Honda Accord 15 gallons @ $4.09 was $61.00 and the sebring convertable 10 gallons @ $4.09 was $41.00, I filled the 5 gallon gas can for cutting grass was $21 total spent on gas $225.00 but I plan on spending 10k this summer on fuel for camping as well. Last summer we spent around $6500 for the summer.

[mustang]

I have wondered how many people have changed plans due to the fuel prices. Either not traveling as far or made other cost saving changes to compensate for the high fuel costs.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by mustang

I have wondered how many people have changed plans due to the fuel prices. Either not traveling as far or made other cost saving changes to compensate for the high fuel costs.

Curiosity makes for great polls. Thanks Mustang. Check out your new poll!

[Boss Wagon]

I remember once travelling to Assateague Island State Park in my old Flair motorhome. I missed my planned fuel stop and wound up stopping at a place closer to the park. I was steamed because I paid $1.63 a gallon when all the other places I passed were around $1.48. It ruined my day then, but it is funny now.

Fuel prices were part of our decision when we decided on the 17Z. Our goal was to go as light and lean as possible. Less time washing and waxing was an added bonus.

From time to time every RV'er needs to examine all the junk they take on the road. It is amazing how many things that merely go along for the ride, trip and trip, and are never used, needed or missed.

If possible think about buying some of the heavier grocery items at your destination. Charcoal, drinks and bear in mind no one should ever transport their own firewood (this is bad and often illegal). More weight burns more fuel.

Slow down, adjust your driving, try to minimize stops.

With a little planning, thought and a little conservation minded driving, you might increase your mpg. Even 1 mpg can really add up on a long trip.

[David472]

Well you know, in recent years I was spending $4,000 a year for gas just to commute to work, and that was with a car that got 35 mpg. They way I figure it, now I don't do that commute, I can spend that much towing the TT, and have a lot more fun.

[wiscampsin]

Gas prices are a good excuse for cutting the grass less often.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by wiscampsin

Gas prices are a good excuse for cutting the grass less often.

Now I like your thinking!

[clutch]

Food is more costly than gas so I guess I'll not eat as much.

[Seann45]

Beer VS fuel... fuel wins...

[Albertaguy]

I see the price of oil has dropped to 99 bucks today, but haven't seen any movement at the gas pump yet. It sure doesn't take them long to raise the price at the pump when oil goes up.

[clutch]

I suspect that the stations will keep the price up for a few extra days. They gotta make a livin ya know.

[Seann45]

Someone on Gasbuddy.org says it will go down after Memorial day...

[rodro123]

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/gas-p...ry?id=13539035
Gas prices continue to rise -- even while the oil used to make it drops in price, say analysts.
The national average price for gas this week is $3.96, according to the Department of Energy.
Hawaii still has the nation's most expensive gasoline as of today, but the nation's heartland is catching up. In Illinois, the average price is $4.32 a gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. That's even higher than the average in California, $4.27, which is known for its high pump prices.
Indiana is catching up with an average of $4.24 for regular gas.
At least drivers in those states are facing cheaper prices than those in Alaska. At one gas station in that state, gas was selling for $6.79 a gallon.
To top those prices, just head to the car rental counter. You may face $9.29 a gallon if you don't prepay for gas or fill up the tank yourself. With an 11-gallon tank in one car, for example, car renters could pay about $100. For larger vehicles, it could cost over $280.
Gas Up While Oil Down
The price of oil, on the other hand, is dropping. For the first time since March 16, the price of a barrel of oil settled today below $100. The massive sell-off was sparked by lower consumer demand for gasoline, an improvement in the value of the U.S. dollar and concerns about slowing global growth.
The New York Mercantile Exchange reported that oil futures settled at $99.80, down $9.44 or 8.6 percent for the day. That is the biggest one-day move down in percentage terms since April 20, 2009 (-8.84 percent) and the biggest in nominal dollar terms since September 29, 2008 (-$10.52).
On Friday the Labor Department releases its April jobs report and economists are expecting about 185,000 new jobs created. But if the report disappoints analysts, then the big oil selloff will almost certainly continue in a big way.
The latest government measure of demand for gasoline in the U.S. shows that overall, drivers have cut back gas purchases by almost 2 percent in the past four weeks compared to a year ago. That kind of significant downward move in demand, coupled with rising stockpiles of oil in the U.S., mean prices of crude should be headed downward.
Phil Flynn, energy analyst for PFGBest, said he believes we've seen the market top for oil -- at least until the middle of the summer driving season.
"Our long national nightmare might be over," said Flynn.
But don't get too excited yet. Prices at the pump likely won't come down as quickly as the futures prices for oil.
Economists say that historically, gas retailers will let their margins expand a bit before passing those savings onto consumers.

[paflyfisher]

Just stopped this morning to get gas in the truck, $3.97 per gal. in central PA. Yesterday it was at $3.99, 2 cent drop, I'll take it. Thank heavens I have my TT parked on a permanent site for the summer, couldn't afford to toe it. Just saw where the oil companys had a profit of 38 billion dollars so far, what's wrong with this picture?