The Sad Gas News

I kept careful gas purchase records of this past trip to NC from March 26th to April 11th.

I covered the date, purchase site, gallon cost (regular), gallons purchased, total cost, and mileage.

Left home with 17,070 miles on the 2005 Dodge Dakota which was advertised at getting 22 mpg on the highway.

3-26 Lebanon, Ind-- $3.28, 12.812 gallons, $42.01, 17,323
3-26 Marietta, Ohio-$3.28, 14.507 gallons, $47.83, 17,646
3-27 Wytheville, Va-$3.14, 11.439 gallons, $35.91, 17,871
4-4 Goldsboro, NC--$3.25, 12.494 gallons, $40.59, 18,123
4-8 Wytheville, Va-$3.22, 11.269 gallons, $36.27, 18,372
4-8 Cambridge, Oh--$3.20, 11.402 gallons, $36.47, 18,631
4-9 Springfield, Oh$3.30, 11.850 gallons, $39.89, 18,832
4-10 Remington, Ind-$3.34, 11.678 gallons, $38.99, 18,832
4-12 Fox Lake, Il-- $3.42, 11.572 gallons, $39.64, 19,283

You'll notice gas in Wytheville, which is always cheaper and worth a stop ( but not at the Kangaroo station if you have to go to the bathroom. They are NASTY!!!) had increased by 8 cents in the 12 days between stops. Thanks BIG OIL!!! These stations are where I-77 and I-81 run together a bit south of town.

I should mention that the drive down was pretty much all interstate and highway. Coming back, I did some tourist driving around Mt. Airy, NC, the National Road through Ohio, and a lot of city driving when I got lost in Chicago's southern suburbs.

Overall, I purchased 109.023 gallons, spent $357.60, and drove 2213 miles. The truck averaged 21.5 miles on the way to NC. Coming back, with all the start-stopping, it was 20 mpg. This is not bad for a 6-cylinder truck, but with prices planned to top out at $4 by Big Oil, I need to get something with better mileage, hopefully 32+.

I Was Just Wonderin' Where All My Money Went. --RoadDog