Are gas prices lower in swing states?

[chiburb]

Than in solidly blue states?

I live in Illinois where prices in Dupage County are holding at just under $2 for regular, and about $2.19 for premium. I drove to Missouri Thursday, which I assume is a swing state because I heard Kerry-bashing commercials on the radio. You NEVER hear political commercials in the Chicago area! Anyway, gas prices in the St. Louis area were much lower, around $1.78 (reg.) and $1.98 (prem.).

So I'm wondering if y'all will pipe in with prices you pay if you're in a swing state. Maybe there is no "playing politics" going on, maybe there is?

[Nevernose]

1. No

I live in Nevada, also a swing state, and am usually paying more than you are. (There's one station that has gas for $1.98, but most places it's $2.07 or so).

[eyesroll]

2. $1.99 for regular in the Milwaukee area

It may be a little cheaper in rural areas -- they don't have to use reformulated gas (or, at least not the same kind we do).
Milwaukee-Chicago's on ethanol city summer blend, which is a botique blend only used in this area, so we're more susceptible to supply shortages, price spikes and so forth.

[Bluzmann57]

3. Here in eastern Iowa

the price of gas shot up about 15cents per gallon a week ago, and this is supposedly a "swing state". I was in Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago and gas is high up there, so I don't think there's any "playing politics" with gas prices. I just think as long as bush is in office, the gas prices are going to be at the highest level ever.

[Doctor_J]

4. these people will miss no opportunity to politic

you can bet that the oil barons are going to try to help * get into the WH.

BTW, I am in DuPage Co too. Are you represented by Biggert (:puke:) or Hyde (:puke? :puke:)?

[MadHound]

5. Maybe, maybe not, hard to prove either way

Especially since gas prices in Missouri are always cheaper than surrounding states. I think it is a combination of easier transportation(we have tons of oil piplines crisscrossing the state, and it is closer to the major oil refinery states) and looser enviromental laws that allow for gas that doesn't have to be blended as much. We generally run ten-twenty cents below the national average.

However you could have a point. We are getting innundated with political commercials and politicians themselves. Seems like at least once a week a veep or pres candidate is in state. This week, Cheney is in Columbia and Bush is in St. Louis. I expect the Kerry/Edwards ticket will stop by next week.

[goddess40]

6. Gas prices depend a lot on how each state taxes them

Yesterday in Wausau WI it was $1.96. If there is going to be some type of manipulation it will happen closer to the election - those bastards won't give up any more profit then they have to. The stupid American's have a short memory.
I am looking a a graph I printed off yesterday from a post here that shows the "yearly US Budget or Surplus" I noticed that the Republican Presidents steal the country blind and then right before the election there is a little upswing in the economy - enough to fool those idiots among us.

[LizW]

7. Don't think so

I live in a non-swing state and prices here are lower than many places. The highest price near me is $1.79 for regular, $1.99 for premium.

Not that Bushco is above playing that kind of game, though. I just think it is too early for them to do it.

[Purveyor]

8. $1.96 here at Jackson, Michigan

Was down as low as $1.84 a week ago but shot up to $1.99 last Tuesday.

[Newsjock]

9. Here are the state-by-state averages: no big trend

The source is http://www.fuelgaugereport.com -- a fairly reliable daily tracking of actual pump prices. For today, for regular unleaded:

Nationwide average 1.917

Below average
Pennsylvania 1.906
Minnesota 1.853
West Virginia 1.907
Arkansas 1.830
New Mexico 1.896
New Hampshire 1.916
Delaware 1.913
Louisiana 1.831
Ohio 1.879
Iowa 1.842

Above average
Connecticut 2.033
Wisconsin 1.960
Oregon 2.016
Michigan 1.936
Florida 1.936
Missouri 1.823
Nevada 2.099

[Doctor_J]

10. The DNC needs to get this out there now

that such a thing is likely. All the possible October surprises should be mulled over now in public - price fixing, UBL perp walk, and so on.

[noahmijo]

11. About $2 here in Tucson, Az

Thanks Dubya! :mad:

[porphyrian]

12. Someone posted something about gas prices rising...

...but they haven't gone up noticibly in Tallahassee, Florida, unless I'm completely out of it.

[PaDUer]

13. Scranton, PA...

gas went UP 6 cents this past week.

[Maeve]

14. Ohio prices are all over the map

For the longest time, the price in Columbus was almost exactly the national average. Now, there is a disconnect and prices vary more within town than they used to--I suspect it is due to more local issues than national politics. :shrug: The prices are also in greater flux due to the wild ride oil prices are going thru.(Used to be able to predict price changes on Thursdays and Tuesdays; now they seem to change hourly!)

And you don't get more "swing" than Ohio this year!

[LeftHander]

15. No wisconsin is at $1.93 today - and rising...nt

[Journeyman]

16. South California: $2.25 for regular. . .

n/t

[Lugnut]

17. Was at $1.689 three weeks ago

Is now $1.899 here in Hazleton PA.

[olddem43]

18. I think the gas price lowering will be closer to Nov. 2 -

after all, the greedy oil pigs wouldn't want to lose any money unnecessarily. Look for changes in September, after the summer vacation/driving season and after the Labor Day holiday. Also, it will then be fresh in voters' minds how "good" gas prices have become.