Party @ the Moontower Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 This argument doesn't work for a large chunk of Americans. It's just an easy, idealistic thing to spit out there when people complain about gas prices. Have you seen the size of this country on a map?It's not an argument.It's a suggestion to those who can walk or ride sometimes.I see people around this small town drive 2 blocks from work to get a coffee when they could walk faster.I'm not suggesting everyone do it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Somnambulist Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I filled up this past Saturday on Long Island for $4.17 then took a road trip to Boston with a return trip on Sunday ($3.99 in MA). What I noticed on my trip was, even with it being Memorial Day, there was basically no one on the road. It's either people did their traveling on Friday night or the gas prices are forcing people to stay close to home on Memorial Day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edie Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Gas prices here in the US are also up because the dollar is weak (according to the WSJ). Gas is up about three times over what it was in '02 in Europe (with the stronger Euro), vs five times here with our weak dollar. That, and oil continues to be a place where investors are seeing fast returns, thus driving up the prices higher. This happens periodically with gold and other commodities. Meanwhile..... $4.20 on the tollway this am -- and I am thinking about every trip now, even though the actual increased cost is about $80 or so for our family each month (2 cars, $20 per fillup, 2 fillups per car per month). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 What I noticed on my trip was, even with it being Memorial Day, there was basically no one on the road. It's either people did their traveling on Friday night or the gas prices are forcing people to stay close to home on Memorial Day. I was out Saturday early afternoon and noticed that there were hardly any cars out on the road. This was in town even. We live not far from a pretty popular state park with a lake. Usually every weekend in the summer there are tons of boats on their way out to the lake. I only saw a couple. Granted it was a little chilly on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday and Monday were beautiful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 holy shit I can't begin to imagine what it must cost to fill up a mid-sized boat these days... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Our restaurant was WICKED busy this weekend!!! VERY unusual for the holiday, I mean RIDICULOUS busy. Guess it's better to spend money on a meal than all that gas to go somewhere else to eat out/cook Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Saw $4.79 this afternoon in South Loop just east of Little Italy. Sad part is... I heard on NPR that the economists have been studying/planning for this for years. They don't expect a negative impact (break point) to the industry (meaning, people seriously curtail their driving habits, or don't drive at all) until the price hits $6.50 (and it will). People complain about it now... but they are still driving as much as they did when it was $3.00 or less.Well, driving habits are changing:http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1108.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I've cooled on the civic hybrid for now - you have to do all kinds to driving tricks to get the big MPG numbers. I'll wait for a hybrid model that I really want. But I'm feeling it for the Honda Fit (28 city/36 hwy). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 $4.05 for 87 here in the District. My MINI did me proud this weekend and capped out at 42mpg on my weekend roadtrip! GO MINI! That's better than a hybrid I think. and way cuter! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 my mom's hybrid can get between 50-60MPG - and on the highway, you can push it to 70MPG - though it isn't a very functional car - 2 seater with limited space in the back hatch. But, she's single and doesn't drive too much. Works well for her. I drove it for awhile during my last year in STL, and Graham and I once drove it from STL to NY and back. It's a nice lil car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 $4.05 for 87 here in the District. My MINI did me proud this weekend and capped out at 42mpg on my weekend roadtrip! GO MINI! That's better than a hybrid I think. and way cuter! Cool. I think that's even better than a Smart Car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lynch Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 It is now $1.30/liter here, or about $4.91/gallon for American folk. Unreal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Just paid 4.17 at Costco gas. It was 4.27 at the chevron across the street. Grrrr.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 This afternoon, in lovely Lake County, California: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 So I did it...I paid OVER $4.00 today. This is WHY... The really nice station with the decent prices has been holding steady for the better part of a week at $3.95/gal. Their first big surprise was capping everyone at $50 per purchase. That was last week. I go there tonight after work and they only have PREMIUM available at $4.15. So with that I pulled out and headed back up to the mega-dynasty (Mobil) and paid $4.01. I know it's not as bad as some parts of the country right now but when you're FORCED to go to the "big guys"...it rots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobfrombob Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 I saw $1.35/litre today. I think that translates to $5.11/gallon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 1.35 here too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 I saw a station with regular unleaded at $4.47 today. California ... nice place to visit, probably couldn't afford to live here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I saw a station with regular unleaded at $4.47 today. California ... nice place to visit, probably couldn't afford to live here. Yep. All the stations near me are over $4.50 a gallon. Fortunately, I just moved and can now bike to work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 We saw $4.55 in Pacifica (just down the coast) today. So much for over $3.00, over $4.00, it'll be over $5.00 any day now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 4.95 for regular at the exit near the freeway over here in Santa Barbara. That's the most expensive and the cheapest I've seen the past couple o days was 4.29. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
markosis Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Just arrived in the San Fernando Valley. The average price is about $4.60 a gallon for regular. I don't know why I decided to move here. I may move to Portland and ditch the car if I can't hack it here. Portland is very bike and public transit friendly. LA, not so much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fatheadfred Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Good things about high gas? -less use, less pollution-local economies will gradually gain back their place in the market-once local farmers regain ability to compete, your food will be better-development of alternative forms of energy that may also lead to home energy use as well-less chemicals in the enviroment due to decrease in industrial farming-bring the trade deficit to a surplus-my buds in the bike biz may actually see a profit-bikes may once again be manufactured in america, among other things, more jobs for all skill levels\-brewpubs in every town-local pride, community Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I certainly see more bikes in our area than I remember seeing before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edie Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I got nearly 400 miles to my most recent tank -- just about 25 MPG. I figure that the reduced traffic is improving my mileage, as about half of the overall mileage is on the highway. I am seeing more bikes and motorcycles/scooters than before, that's for sure. BTW, paid $4.15 today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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