OK, I filled up the Chevy Trax with gas just now.

[MineralMan]

With my supermarket loyalty card discount at Holiday gas stations, I paid $3.69.9 per gallon for 87 Octane regular. The pump price was $3.99.9. Since it has been a month since I last filled up, I don't remember how much gas was the last time, but I seem to remember paying about $3.40 per gallon then. So, yes, the price has gone up here in Minnesota. It's higher in California, due to their much higher state and sales taxes.

It will probably go up some more down the road, before it goes back down some.

Earlier today, someone wrote on DU that the US petroleum industry should be nationalized, as though that would somehow result in lower prices. I'm not sure how that would accomplish that goal, actually.

If you look at gasoline prices in Europe, for example, you'll be shocked at how much is being paid elsewhere for gasoline. I just checked prices in Germany for February 28, 2022. Here's what I found:

Germany Gasoline prices, 28-Feb-2022

Germany Gasoline prices
Liter Gallon
EUR 1.817 6.878
USD 2.039 7.718

The first price is per liter. The second is per gallon.

So, our gasoline is apparently a bargain here, despite the global situation. We're not doing so badly with our capitalistic petroleum industry, it seems.

I'll let you know how much it is a month from now, when I have to fill up again...

[nuxvomica]

1. Saw my conservative chiropractor this morning

He started talking about how gas prices are going up and how he feels it's a small price to pay to help out the Ukrainians. He said he wouldn't mind $10 a gallon if it doesn't last too long and helps end the invasion. I was little surprised.

[EarlG]

2. Americans don't understand how cheap gas is here compared to elsewhere in the world.

The average price of a gallon of petrol in the UK right now is $7.69. Gas is always 2-3 times more expensive there than here.

It's relative of course, because you factor the price of gas into your budget and when the price spikes you feel the pinch. But yeah, even at $4 a gallon, American gas is cheap.

[MineralMan]

5. Yes. That's why I posted the German prices.

We only drive about 5000 miles per year, so gasoline is a very, very minor part of our budget at any time. I understand that people who commute or use vehicles for business purposes are more affected when prices go up.

Still, relative to the rest of the world, we pay less for our auto fuel than anywhere, pretty much. So, I'm OK with price fluctuations due to world conditions. For us, gasoline prices are a first world problem. We're not feeling the pain so much, though.

[rsdsharp]

20. At this point, 5000 miles per year is totally unreachable for us.

We’re both retired. Our car is 10 months old, and has just under 1100 miles on the clock; including the 160 miles on the odometer when it was delivered. It will likely have less than 1200 miles on it when it goes in for its second oil change in May. Given the number of short trips, we should probably change the oil even more often.

[Johnny2X2X]

17. We don't pay the true cost of gas here

Other countries tax it to help offset the true costs to the planet that gas comes with.

I'm fine with paying more if it helps end the war in Ukraine, or if in the future it helps the environment. Gas is subsidized here under the false assumption that cheap gas is needed to have a a growth economy.

[Wounded Bear]

3. I believe US gas prices are pretty heavily subsidized to keep prices low for the military...nt

[hardluck]

4. It was $5.69 for 87 here in the LA area.

Paid $5.12 last week.

[MineralMan]

6. Yes, it's definitely more in California.

California imposes some pretty high taxes on gasoline, for various reasons. As far as it slows down miles traveled, though, that's not such a bad thing, I think. It's all relative, though, of course.

[Pantagruel]

7. Fixing the gas shortage

Russia accounts for 4% of global crude oil production.
Seems to me, Americans can help negate that loss by simply driving a bit less. If everyone simply cuts their driving by 10%,BINGO.
Organize your shopping trips a little better to cut down on going back for forgotten items, properly inflate your tires and repress that urge to "floor it".
Wouldn't hurt to cut a new "Iran Deal" , add to nuclear security and release more crude onto world markets?

[MineralMan]

8. I believe that the Biden administration released a bunch of crude oil

from our strategic reserves recently.

As you say, though, cutting back on how much we drive would help, too. Since my wife works at home and I'm retired, we've done that dramatically. Between our two cars, we average only about 5000 miles per year, total.

[moose65]

16. That release was a literal drop in the bucket

Releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve might be a symbolic gesture, but it does little to affect the price of oil.

IIRC, they released 60 million barrels of oil, which might sound like a lot, but the United States uses about 19 million barrels per day. This would be 3 days of oil, then.

[CentralMass]

9. While this is unfortunately unavoidable it is going to hurt a lot of people living on the edge

That have to commute to work.

[dalton99a]

10. Companies and governments could let people work from home

like during the pandemic

Delay the return to the office

[MineralMan]

13. Well, some people can work from home. Others cannot.

In fact, very few low-pay workers can work from home. Think of people who are restaurant servers, supermarket workers, and child care workers. Also people in construction and home repair industries.

Higher fuel prices do hit such people harder than home workers. Still, compared with the rest of the world, we pay less for gasoline than most. Much less.

I do wonder about people who drive vehicles with very poor gas mileage. Often that's a choice. They could cut their fuel budget dramatically by switching to vehicles that do better than that and don't use as much fuel. If you're commuting to work in a big-ass pickup or SUV, that's going to cost you, no matter what the price of gas is.

My point was to compare our prices with other countries. When you do that, it doesn't look so bad.

[BlueIdaho]

11. Cut out a picture of Ukrainian Refugees

And put it on your dash board. Then - drive a little slower, combine trips, and remember what this is all about. Gas will cost more but if it sours Russia on Putin it’s all worth while.

[David__77]

12. Maybe politicians can back off with the "return to work" stuff.

Promotion of increasing commuting and transportation while costs of such are increasing promotes more burden for working people.

[dalton99a]

15. Yep, look at the demand side

The transportation sector suffered most, with economic lockdowns and travel restrictions reducing demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel consumption by 15 percent in 2020. U.S. jet fuel use during Thanksgiving was about half of the 2019 volume. Overall, jet fuel consumption fell by 38 percent, gasoline by 13 percent and diesel by 7 percent in 2020.

[Chainfire]

14. Who the gas prices hurt the most are the working are poor who live in rural areas.

The only way to get to work is to drive. Where it may not be anything but a minor sacrifice for a Chiropractor, living in a City, it really hurts if you are already on a tight budget. The poor and the middle class are the first to suffer and the last to get relief.

We can thank Mr. Putin and his Republican Party.

[Freddie]

18. True

I live in an outer suburb with absolutely no public transportation. I’m retired and limit my trips but DH has a 45-minute commute every day. His job can’t be done from home.
Maybe another stimulus, to help offset the cost of gas and heat?

[littlemissmartypants]

19. Slow down, brake less and coast more are all ways to improve gas mileage.

Also, keeping your tank full also helps. I'm sure there are other things but I can't think right now.

Anything we can do to help out, I think we should try.

Slava Ukraini!

🌻🇺🇦❤🇺🇦🌻

[beaglelover]

21. So happy I bought a Tesla in 2020. My former Cadillac was quite the gas guzzler!