The Daily Ping

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May 18th, 2004

Gas Price Breaking Point

Gas is getting more expensive in America. That’s no surprise to anyone – just visit your nearest service station, and you’ll see the evidence.

Last week I was perusing the Chicago Tribune’s site, reading an article on the gas situation. There was a poll that accompanied the piece, asking what one’s “breaking point” would be for gas: the price when you decide it’s just not worth getting anymore.

The choices were $2/gallon, $3/gallon, $4/gallon, and $5/gallon.

For me it was pretty easy: $3/gallon. Denver is already in the low $2.00 range, and I know some areas of California are up near or over $3.00. But if everything got to $3/gallon (and California skyrocketed to $27.99/gallon) I suspect people would start reconsidering public transportation and gas-guzzling light trucks. The sad thing is that, in some areas, public transit just isn’t an option. Which means the oil companies have us over a barrel. (Get it? Barrel? Oil? Hah!)

I was surprised that more than a few people said $5/gallon, though. What about you?

Posted in Cars

Paul May 6, 2007, 3:42 am

Man, I was way off in my original Ping:

“But if everything got to $3/gallon (and California skyrocketed to $27.99/gallon) I suspect people would start reconsidering public transportation and gas-guzzling light trucks.”

Not true: gas is well over $3 both in Chicago and in SF ($3.33 and $3.69 respectively for 87 octane) and no diff. Opps!

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