Rare drop in summer gas prices doesn't eliminate pain at the pump (2024)

Mary Ann Hoss paid a few cents less for gas this week as she fueled up for a road trip from Lower Burrell to her camp a few hours away.

But that was due more to global circ*mstances than anything Hoss did.

While the nation is experiencing a rare summertime drop in gasoline prices credited to sluggish demand and lower crude oil prices, there really isn’t much drivers can do themselves to see significant savings.

Experts say trying to “time” gas buying — buying early or late in the week or in the morning versus the afternoon — likely is a waste of time.

“You probably over the course of the year might be saving a couple of cents a gallon, a couple of bucks here and there,” said Patrick De Haan, head petroleum analyst at GasBuddy. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

The biggest savings come from global forces — the international oil commodities market — and are affected by big-ticket items like wars and hurricanes. Trying to buy gas in the morning when it’s cooler isn’t going to save drivers money at the pump.

“Gas prices rise and fall and, generally, they fall in the winter, peak at Memorial Day and again during hurricane season in late summer. It’s tied to the price of crude oil,” said Andrew Gross, AAA public relations manager. “Right now, oil is at a good spot at $78 a barrel, and anything below $80 a barrel is good.”

For the second consecutive week, gas prices tumbled nationally, falling 10 cents per gallon from a week ago, averaging $3.40 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Average gas prices in Pittsburgh fell almost 3 cents per gallon last week, averaging $3.79 per gallon, according to a GasBuddy survey of 731 stations in the Pittsburgh region.

“We’ve seen one of the larger weekly drops in the national average price of gasoline in some time — and what incredible timing that it comes at the beginning of the summer driving season,” De Haan said.

Small things can save

But there are some small things drivers can do to save.

One, said De Haan, is to not be a creature of habit, using the same gas station every time.

Gas travel apps such as GasBuddy, Gas Guru, Waze, AAA Triptik Mobile and Upside offer motorists up-to-date gas price comparisons, allowing drivers to choose the station that has the lowest price that day. But drivers have to use them often as prices can change at almost any time.

And, he said, people choosing to pay 20- to 30-cents more per gallon because they’re earning “points” aren’t doing the smart thing, as the points won’t be worth the extra cost per gallon.

But some motorists disagree, saying they can take advantage of fuel price discounts offered when they also shop at Giant Eagle supermarkets and redeem them at GetGo gas stations, and the Pump Perks offered by Shop ‘N Save supermarket chain, redeemed at Sunoco pumps at 7-11 stores.

“I shop around. I really use my fuel discounts for my gas,” said Joe Downes of Hempfield, who was filling up three five-gallon cans of gasoline at the Sunoco pumps on West Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg.

Downes said he needs to fill the gas cans because he mows about four acres of lawn at his home and for a family member.

Drivers, though, usually opt for convenience, using gas stations that are on their way. And that often comes at a cost.

“The most expensive gas is typically at stations along the highway, right at the exit, and they charge accordingly,” Gross said.

For Hoss, paying high gas prices is a necessary evil.

She doesn’t price shop for gas, because she feels it’s not worth it.

“That doesn’t make sense to me. You waste money by driving around to find cheaper gas,” Hoss said.

One Greensburg driver who pays attention to the gas prices on the sign at convenience stores — $3.57.9 on Friday afternoon at the BP station on East Otterman Street in Greensburg — is Dana Grant.

“I have watched it go down and I do shop around. I do DoorDash (food delivery service),” said Grant, who racks up the mileage with her job and regular errands.

And then there’s that urban myth of fueling up in the morning when it’s cooler because you get more gas for your money.

Hogwash, said Rick Toney, a longtime attendant at Shamey’s Fuel and Auto service in New Kensington.

“They say you get more gas when the air is cooler. That’s not true. Our pumps are measured. It’s going to pump the same amount whether it’s 10 a.m. or 10 p.m.,” Toney said.

“It all depends on the market and oil prices,” Toney said. “Last year, we were over $4 a gallon this time of year. It’s like the stock market — it goes up and down.”

The best news for this summer is prices could keep falling.

“I expect additional declines ahead of July 4 for both gasoline and diesel prices,” De Haan said. “Six states now have average prices below $3 per gallon.”