Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Manhattan

Gas Price Relief for New York City Drivers

New Yorkers and tourists to the Big Apple are accustomed to paying outrageous prices for all goods and services. Taxes, Real estate costs, rents, parking, tolls, and food expenditures effectively destroy the purchasing power of millions of visitors into the Tri-State area.

Of course, New York County (Manhattan) is listed as one of the wealthiest counties in the Nation - posting 2007 U.S. Census median household income of $63,704; and the Nation at-large is not exactly commiserating with the caricatured New York blowhard. The notorious expense of doing business in the area is merely a function of the convenience and access to culture that New York City provides.

Ironically, New Yorkers do get a break in terms of gasoline costs.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, retail gasoline prices averaged $2.658 per gallon for the week of June 15, 2009 in New York City. These rates compare favorably to Chicago at $2.866 and the West Coast Cities of Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles that calculate out to equal $2.818, $3.002, and $2.983, respectively.

I must speculate that New York's geography as a major port, designed to accommodate large amounts of Middle East crude oil, and the sheer refining capacity of North Jersey petroleum complexes contribute to effectively lower prices relative to other large metropolitan areas. Certainly, the taxman is not cutting motorists any slack at the Empire State.

New Yorkers must pay 59.6 cents per gallon worth of taxes. This 59.6-cent rate is the third highest in the U.S. after California (63.9) and Connecticut (62.5). Of course, New York City drivers must also pony up the 8.375% sales tax upon all fuel purchases in the five boroughs.

Manhattan, with its crushing population density and hotbed of tourism features the highest gas prices in New York. However, leaving the island simply to locate and purchase cheap gasoline is often penny-wise and pound-foolish. Snarled traffic and $8 tolls at Hudson and East River crossings will eliminate any 20-cent per gallon savings at the pump.