The prices are rising, and I will not be at all surprised to see $4.00 a gallon soon, and by no later then early summer. So with them rising, again has this changed how you drive?

For me, it has quite a bit. I have usually gone at the pace of traffic which is around 70 to 80 mph on many highways. By staying with the flow of traffic it really helps in not getting a ticket also, since I am not really standing out. Don't get me wrong, there are times where I have broken triple digits, but now with these gas prices, I am moving over to the slow lanes.

This week after spending a good amount to fill up, I have set the cruise control at 60 to 65 mph and just leave for my destination earlier. I let all the other traffic pass me on by, sometimes now I even get big rigs passing me up. I do not like driving this slow, but I would rather cut down on how fast I drive so I can have a little extra wine money. Every little bit helps.

As a general rule, and for a variety of reasons, I try to drive as little as possible. The only time I'm forced to drive to and from work is during a couple of the winter months when the weather prevents me from riding my bike. Most of the time during the summer I ride my bike and not only does that save me a significant amount of money on gas, it also helps keep me in somewhat decent shape.

I don't really pay attention to the gas prices. We have great prices in comparison to Europe and if it keeps others off the road I don't mind it at all.

If gas prices rise any higher, I'm planning on converting my car so it can run on Two Buck Chuck.

At least that will legitimize the product.

To get back on track, though...

At this point, I am a prisoner of some essential driving. As such (much like a gallon of milk or loaf of bread,) I tend to swipe my card, fill up, and drive off without knowing what I actually just paid.

I'm probably too oblivious.

On the other hand, I have friends who will drive 40 miles to save a nickel a gallon, so I figure I could be worse.

No change at all for me. Gas is still relatively cheap.

No change for me either. Most of our driving is work related or taking kids to school, karate etc so we cant change our habits. Ony part that is a bit frustrating is that my wife has to drive 80-100 miles per day for work (fortunately only 2 days/week) and the reimbursement doesn't catch up to the price increases.

Ah, the market. She is a wonderful thing.

quote:

Originally posted by cdr:
Ah, the market. She is a wonderful thing.

And you can't even see her hands.

I have to drive to Portland on Tuesday, about 220 miles roundtrip. Decided to drive the Jag instead of the Fordy truck, better mileage. Still had my foot in it, but got 50% better mileage.

quote:

Originally posted by cdr:
Ah, the market. She is a wonderful thing.

And so easy to manipulate.

Around here, prices have gone up about 45 cents in the past two weeks. Yet, media reports that demand is the lowest since 2006.

To answer your question, however, I often purchase wine over the phone from a favorite store in Portland, Or., and then drive down sometime to pick it up, about 3 hrs each way. Now, unless there is a substancial amount waiting for me, I just have them ship it. Shipping for anything under two cases is cheaper than driving.

I was going through some older check registers the other day. I realized not only did I make a lot less money 5 years ago; gas was also ridiculously inexpensive.

It was $15 to fill up my tank. Now I am lucky to get away from the pump for less than $60. I still drive the same amount roughly. Now, however, instead of $60/month I am paying $240/month. I am not making 4 times what I was 5 years ago. I suppose that prices rose with my income so I just budgeted more.

My income though will not continue to increase at the % gas is increasing. (Some predict $4/gallon before Summer.) That is almost 30% more than now. I don't know many people that get a 30% raise every year.

I know I have already stopped driving around unless I actually have to get somewhere. And I too have started driving much slower than I used to. I hope that things do stabilize soon. Though, with congress' push to tax gas companies even more I doubt that will happen any time in the near future.

Oh well. Maybe they'll come out with an affordable hydrogen fuel cell soon. In the mean time I am glad my car doesn't run on milk.

WEc,

Have you read the entire book? I have made literally dozens of attempts, getting a little farther each time. I hope I complete it and reread it before I die.

quote:

Originally posted by cdr:
WEc,

Have you read the entire book?

Are you kidding me! I've only gotten to the needle factory (I think). And it was probably from some abridged version!

I need to drive. Most trips are client & business oriented so I just can't say no. Sort of puts us in a bad position if I say no driving today due to gas prices.

At $ 3.39 for 93 Octo is a shame, but have seen some folks gouging at $ 3.54.

Even with teh high price, I'll be taking a run from so Fl to Finger Lakes, and then to NJ, and back in March. No matter how I cut it, the trip cost by auto is MUCH cheaper than airfare, limo to kids house [western NJ], rent a car from there up to Finger Lakes, and drop off again in NJ, and fly back.

Just will have to go 85 mph VS 90 and get a squeek more mileage.

I do notice that many of our freight carriers are putting energy surcharges on their bills now.

The only thing we do differently is now we take DnVsMom's vehicle instead of my bigger SUV. Gotta love the company car!!!!

I'm actually getting a hybrid as my next car. Sometime this year I hope, and probably a Camry, unless Honda figures out their Accord.

Can't say I drive any different though. The rig I'm in gets a bit over 30mpg, so no worries. I do feel badly for folks with less means who have long commutes and such.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
I'm actually getting a hybrid as my next car. Sometime this year I hope, and probably a Camry, unless Honda figures out their Accord.

Can't say I drive any different though. The rig I'm in gets a bit over 30mpg, so no worries. I do feel badly for folks with less means who have long commutes and such.

I charge people for staircar rides. My 10 miles a gallon is erased by taking 3-4 people on my way to work. I get them to defend the hop-ons, too.

quote:

I charge people for staircar rides. My 10 miles a gallon is erased by taking 3-4 people on my way to work. I get them to defend the hop-ons, too.

Hilarious!

quote:

Originally posted by gigabit:

quote:

I charge people for staircar rides. My 10 miles a gallon is erased by taking 3-4 people on my way to work. I get them to defend the hop-ons, too.

Hilarious!

Credit: Mitch Herwitz.

Petrol is still cheap. I've always told people that the govt should slap at least another $1 a gallon tax on it. Think of all the schools we could pay for.

Everyone told me I was crazy, it would destroy the economy.

Well, it happened, the economy wasn't destroyed, but instead of going to build schools it went into the pockets of Exxon and co, and dodgy foreign governments.

The problems with your idea Dave are twofold. First, that justs means that gas would have gone up two dollars. Raising taxes has never served to keep prices down. Second, the government already has more than enough of my money to do it's job. Give them more and they will waste more. As for thinking the money ended up in Exxon's pockets, well you don't understand the stock or oil futures markets very well.

I hit 125 on the way home tonight. My time is more valuable than the refined dead dinosaur juice. At least at the current rate of exchange.

PH

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
I charge people for staircar rides. My 10 miles a gallon is erased by taking 3-4 people on my way to work. I get them to defend the hop-ons, too.

Hey, if Marta (#1 of course) is still onboard, I'd be glad to help pay for gas.

I am really liberal at heart, but I hate giving the government my money in taxes.

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
The problems with your idea Dave are twofold. First, that justs means that gas would have gone up two dollars. Raising taxes has never served to keep prices down. Second, the government already has more than enough of my money to do it's job. Give them more and they will waste more. As for thinking the money ended up in Exxon's pockets, well you don't understand the stock or oil futures markets very well.