I have to laugh every time I drive by the local Valero* gas station.  I routinely see about 5 cars in line for each pump.  The cars go so deep that they stick into Route 17 and cause a traffic issue.  One time, since I took this route often, I did a test and waited – it took me 15 minutes to get to the pump.  This was back when it was only about $2.50 a gallon.

Now, if you go about 1/2 mile up the highway, there is an Exxon with 3 more pumps, covered filling stations and it routinely costs just $.04 more.  Yes, 4 cents.  So, lets do a math exercise…  If gas is 3.63 at Valero and you wait 15 minutes idling to get it…  while its 3.67 at Exxon and you pull right in…  What is the result?  Lets say that cars burn 1/2 a gallon an hour at idle.  (I hear its 1 gallon but I’ll be generous to prove a point)  This means that every 5 minutes you wait, you have spent 18 cents (VLO prices) worth of gas.  So a 15 minute wait = 54 cents.  Now, if you have a VW Jetta, and you are stupid like me and let the tank go all the way empty, you are looking at a 13 gallon fill.  The price at Valero is $47.19.  At Exxon, its $47.71.  The difference?  Yes, 52 cents.  But wait, you just blew 54 cents waiting for it!  So you’re in a net loss, and you didn’t help the environment burning that 1/8th a tank of gas.  Oh, and for that gas, you got ZERO (0) miles per gallon.  Did I mention that most of those people were waiting in cars that were SUV’s and most likely not running regular gas?  That makes the math even worse.

Wait, it gets better!  People go to Costco and wait even longer! And I’ve always known that up the street I can get it for just 6 cents more, and be done in about 5 minutes!

Yet another example of crazy behavior: In Lyndhurst, there is a cash-only station that routinely charges about 10 cents less for regular.  I’d say the average wait is well over 30 minutes.  It gets so long that the police are on scene to direct traffic:  Their car is idling!!!  A V8 Crown Vic!  Now, we’re spending taxpayer money and polluting the environment so people can take a loss in their wallet at the pumps!  Interesting postscript to that story: the station was accused of watering down gas a couple of months ago.  Always stick with brand names!

While I’m at it, the lines on the turnpike and parkway are crazy too, but this time it’s out of laziness.  Just get off the highway and you’ll usually find a station in less than 5 minutes with no line and with a price difference that makes it worthwhile to look.  In this case you save money, time and frustration.  It’s a trifecta!

Another set of violent offenders are those people who drive further for gas because its a bit cheaper at a distant location.  Again, do the analysis.   Assume you go 2 miles further for gas and your car is a 20 mpg vehicle.  Lets say you find a great deal and save one dollar on a fill…  Did you calculate the true cost of driving those 4 miles round trip?  AAA estimates cars cost 52.2 cents per mile to run.  Looks like you’re taking a loss again.

It just amazes me that people don’t think about these things.  Or, for that matter, that people have put no value to their time!  Once again, math says that waiting for Valero here in Hasbrouck Heights is going to save you 52 cents (if you don’t idle, duh!).  Do the math on the 15 minutes you spent there waiting and its 2.08 dollars per hour.  I know I can monetize my time better than that!  In fact, one hour of consulting will pay my gas difference for the next 8 years (assuming I stay as a telecommuter and gas prices are somewhat stable).

So please, people, do some analysis and spread your business around.  It’ll only save you time AND money.

*Someone did inform me that an email chain is going around stating that Valero is the only pro-American station to fill your SUV’s at.  But, I’ll remind them that Exxon is also American.  Hell, it was founded by a Rockefeller.