The cost difference between the most and least expensive gas stations in Boston
As summer vacation and road trip season ramps up, a new study from gas-tracking website GasBuddy.com looks at the “spread’’ between the most and least expensive gas stations in cities across the U.S.
The “Pump Price Spread Report’’ looks at gas price variations in 456 metro areas nationwide, averaging the variations over the first five months of 2016. The report finds the median city’s spread to be 27.5 cents.
The Boston metro comes in at No. 57, with an average price variation of 51 cents, which is just under twice the nationwide median range.
As of midday Thursday, June 23, GasBuddy’s price comparison tool for Boston shows an even larger spread. Motorists can pay as little as $2.13 per gallon at some gas stations and up to $2.89 per gallon at others.
Drivers in California are most at risk for overpaying for gas, according to GasBuddy. Fifteen of the top 20 cities with the greatest price variation are in California.
Drivers in Hanford-Corcoran, California face the widest price spread of $1.26.
GasBuddy points out that savvy consumers in Hanford-Corcoran could save about $63 per month by seeking out the cheapest gas stations.
Two more California metros, San Bernardino and Bakersfield, have the second and third widest price ranges.
“The spread is more significant in certain areas due to a number of factors like competition and geographic location,’’ said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, in a statement.
DeHaan said metropolitan areas with the highest price variations have a few things in common, like a network of connected highways and large warehouse in the region.
But these regions can also find a silver lining to the wide range of gas prices, said DeHaan.
“The good news for drivers in these areas is that there are opportunities to save money if you know where to look and choose to shop wisely,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, AAA reports the current average in Boston for regular gas is $2.304 per gallon on Thursday. That’s close to the current statewide average of $2.308 per gallon.
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