Gas prices continue to decline in my area per AAA and WBIR.

Current: $3.57 per gallon
Week ago: $3.75 per gallon
2022 peak under Biden: $5.16 per gallon (adjusted for inflation)

(06-16-2026 07:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

You really don't know what an average is, do you?

Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

I'm glad it's going down, hope it continues. The real question is how long does it take to get back down to where it was pre-war. I have a bet with someone on this board, already forgot who it was, that when the war ends and the strait is reopened it's going to take at least double the length of time it was closed for gas to return to the pre-war average. Actually do hope I lose that bet as it would be better for the entire country if it doesn't end up taking 200-300 days or more for gas to return to pre-war prices.

(06-16-2026 10:47 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  I'm glad it's going down, hope it continues. The real question is how long does it take to get back down to where it was pre-war. I have a bet with someone on this board, already forgot who it was, that when the war ends and the strait is reopened it's going to take at least double the length of time it was closed for gas to return to the pre-war average. Actually do hope I lose that bet as it would be better for the entire country if it doesn't end up taking 200-300 days or more for gas to return to pre-war prices.

In my experience, there's usually about a 1-3 week lag between when oil prices decrease and we see a decrease in local gas prices. Reasons include inventory already purchased, pricing behavior (local competition), taxes/fixed costs, etc. So, hopefully it won't take too long but it won't be immediate, which is what some people expect.

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

The pre-war average was also pulled up by those same states. If you report the average price excluding state and local tax for that to mean anything you'd need to pull that out of the pre-war average price for the numbers to mean anything. Assuming this deal actually happens if we check back in a few months and the overall national average gas price is still above pre war levels but in red states it's actually dropped below pre-war levels then sure you'd have a point.

If you want a fair comparison look up what your states average gas price was before the war started and what it is today. In North Carolina the average price was 2.76 before the war started, today it's 3.65. That's a roughly 32% increase in price. In California the average before the war started was 4.64 before the war, it's 5.71 currently, a roughly 23% increase in price. I'm actually a little surprised the % increase is higher in North Carolina than it has been in California. Checked Mississippi for comparison, pre-war average was 2.53, current average is 3.65 for a 44% increase in price.

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

You really don't know what an average is, do you?

Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

(06-16-2026 11:01 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

The pre-war average was also pulled up by those same states. If you report the average price excluding state and local tax for that to mean anything you'd need to pull that out of the pre-war average price for the numbers to mean anything. Assuming this deal actually happens if we check back in a few months and the overall national average gas price is still above pre war levels but in red states it's actually dropped below pre-war levels then sure you'd have a point.

If you want a fair comparison look up what your states average gas price was before the war started and what it is today. In North Carolina the average price was 2.76 before the war started, today it's 3.65. That's a roughly 32% increase in price. In California the average before the war started was 4.64 before the war, it's 5.71 currently, a roughly 23% increase in price. I'm actually a little surprised the % increase is higher in North Carolina than it has been in California. Checked Mississippi for comparison, pre-war average was 2.53, current average is 3.65 for a 44% increase in price.

He's also completely oblivious to other costs such as delivery and refinery proximity. Those play a huge role.

(06-16-2026 10:53 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:47 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  I'm glad it's going down, hope it continues. The real question is how long does it take to get back down to where it was pre-war. I have a bet with someone on this board, already forgot who it was, that when the war ends and the strait is reopened it's going to take at least double the length of time it was closed for gas to return to the pre-war average. Actually do hope I lose that bet as it would be better for the entire country if it doesn't end up taking 200-300 days or more for gas to return to pre-war prices.

In my experience, there's usually about a 1-3 week lag between when oil prices decrease and we see a decrease in local gas prices. Reasons include inventory already purchased, pricing behavior (local competition), taxes/fixed costs, etc. So, hopefully it won't take too long but it won't be immediate, which is what some people expect.

There is only one thing that affects gas prices at a station. The Market. If I own both gas stations at an Interstate exit, I am going to charge $3.99/gal, but if there are 4 stations at the next exit 10 miles away the average price there will be in the $3.50s or lower, because the lowest priced gas with the amenities, bathrooms, food etc. that I am looking for will get the business. That's why small independent stations close down on exits that a big boy, Flying J, QT, Loves etc. opens up on. Those stations will lose $0.20-0.30/gal to get you to come inside and buy a $3.00 soft drink that costs them 50cents or a $1.00 phone charger they sell for $13.

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

You really don't know what an average is, do you?

Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

I don't normally quote entire quote strings but this deserves it.

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

You really don't know what an average is, do you?

Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

(06-16-2026 11:42 AM)banker Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:09 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:42 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 07:04 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

You really don't know what an average is, do you?

Hmm let's see.....

Example 1:
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $4.25

The average is $4.00


Example 2
Price 1 = $3.75
Price 2 = $5.25

The average is $4.50


So what can we glean from this math problem? Hmmmmm?

Thinking....
Thinking....
Thinking....

The calculation of the average of two numbers INCREASES when the higher number gets even higher. Good gosh I wonder if this applies when getting an average of MORE than two numbers????

What can I test this theory on... Hmmmm? WAIT - I KNOW - let's try it with Gas Prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets go to AAA state average gas prices and see what it tells us? Well here is some interesting info...


- The nation AVERAGE of the 50 states (and DC) is $4.09 so that is the average of 51 numbers.

- The top 4 (highest state averages) are California $5.71, Hawaii $5.58, Washington $5.49, Alaska, $5.09

I am still a little cloudy here on the average thing. BUT, I did a little experiment.... I lowered the prices of each of these 4 most expensive to $5.00 each...

Do you know what happened???? The average of those 51 numbers ACTAULLY DROPPED to $4.05!




My mind is surely blown here.... is it like Banker actually DOES understand how averages work? I mean this is embarrassing to my Masters degree in economics and statistics.

Now, use that big brain and define "artificial" for me.

Artificial is meant to refer to the intentional implementation of taxes or policies that have caused gas prices in specific jurisdictions to be significantly higher than in other jurisdictions. It is artificial because it is not tied to the cost of the underlying commodity, but is then used to calculate the “average” price of that commodity.

Over the past 12’months, regulatory laws in CA have led to the closure of 3 oil refineries, two Phillips 66 and 1 Valero, that have reduced west coast refining capacity by 17%. These refineries served 7 states in the west, which just happen to now be well above the “national average”

I was being kind by saying artificial when the more correct term would have been “intentional”.

typical commie tommie ...

"in politics, B-L-U-E = Donktard"

commie tommie: how is that?

"it's the party color and the mascot is a donkey"

commie tommie: I don't understand metaphors ... that's waycisss...

keep on trying with him, fellers ... he's just gonna continue to play the paid-op zero for the interNuTz...

the fact he only posts during work hours should explain how nonvalue added his time is worth ... @theSadist is nuts only option when it comes to responding to that fagoo (which is rare)

PUNCH AND JUDY

(06-16-2026 12:35 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

I got it for 3.07 a gallon the other day, but that was for E15 and that's still not how averages work. Before the war I could get E15 around here for like 2.30ish a gallon.

What could you get gas for before the war started at that gas station? That's the important question not playing around with antidotal evidence to go against the averages.

(06-16-2026 01:12 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 12:35 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

I got it for 3.07 a gallon the other day, but that was for E15 and that's still not how averages work. Before the war I could get E15 around here for like 2.30ish a gallon.

What could you get gas for before the war started at that gas station? That's the important question not playing around with antidotal evidence to go against the averages.

the low-mid twos here in the 'burg ... currently in the low threes now...

it won't take long for it get back to pre-war prices in the 'sip ... who knows in the blue states...

you're gonna lose that bet unless they stir up the sand again - which is possible...

(06-16-2026 11:12 AM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:53 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:47 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  I'm glad it's going down, hope it continues. The real question is how long does it take to get back down to where it was pre-war. I have a bet with someone on this board, already forgot who it was, that when the war ends and the strait is reopened it's going to take at least double the length of time it was closed for gas to return to the pre-war average. Actually do hope I lose that bet as it would be better for the entire country if it doesn't end up taking 200-300 days or more for gas to return to pre-war prices.

In my experience, there's usually about a 1-3 week lag between when oil prices decrease and we see a decrease in local gas prices. Reasons include inventory already purchased, pricing behavior (local competition), taxes/fixed costs, etc. So, hopefully it won't take too long but it won't be immediate, which is what some people expect.

There is only one thing that affects gas prices at a station. The Market. If I own both gas stations at an Interstate exit, I am going to charge $3.99/gal, but if there are 4 stations at the next exit 10 miles away the average price there will be in the $3.50s or lower, because the lowest priced gas with the amenities, bathrooms, food etc. that I am looking for will get the business. That's why small independent stations close down on exits that a big boy, Flying J, QT, Loves etc. opens up on. Those stations will lose $0.20-0.30/gal to get you to come inside and buy a $3.00 soft drink that costs them 50cents or a $1.00 phone charger they sell for $13.

True, I just broke down the market components.

(06-16-2026 11:12 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:01 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:09 AM)banker Wrote:  The average gas price is being artificial inflated by blue states. For example, today gas in CA was $2.21 a gallon more that Texas. WA, OR, NY, and IL were also well over a dollar more than Texas and almost a dollar more than FL.

They should report average price excluding state and local tax and the number would be under $3.50 today.

The pre-war average was also pulled up by those same states. If you report the average price excluding state and local tax for that to mean anything you'd need to pull that out of the pre-war average price for the numbers to mean anything. Assuming this deal actually happens if we check back in a few months and the overall national average gas price is still above pre war levels but in red states it's actually dropped below pre-war levels then sure you'd have a point.

If you want a fair comparison look up what your states average gas price was before the war started and what it is today. In North Carolina the average price was 2.76 before the war started, today it's 3.65. That's a roughly 32% increase in price. In California the average before the war started was 4.64 before the war, it's 5.71 currently, a roughly 23% increase in price. I'm actually a little surprised the % increase is higher in North Carolina than it has been in California. Checked Mississippi for comparison, pre-war average was 2.53, current average is 3.65 for a 44% increase in price.

He's also completely oblivious to other costs such as delivery and refinery proximity. Those play a huge role.

Ok let's see............ you have a random commodity that is distributed in 51 different geographies.....

That random commodity costs each geographic X Dollars, but then each Geographic applies an extra charge to that original cost - for the sake of argument, lets call that a .... oh I dunno .... a Tax.

Now the new cost of that commodity changes in each of those Geographies but not in the same way as each geography adds a different tax.

The average gas tax per state average is $0.33 per gallon
California leads the way with an average of $0.71 per gallon

The calculates to a pre tax national average of $3.76 - per gallon. Sorry Banker - higher than the $3.50 you estimated.... but I digress.

So.... what can we determine from this ???? The more taxes you add, the higher your cost and THUS the higher the national average calculation. You don't like the word "artificial".... Ok fine.... we can use "arbitrary" instead?




-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the record the Whole Sale price per gallon of gas is approximately $2.91 per gallon. That is the same base for everyone in the country.

(06-16-2026 01:27 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:12 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 12:35 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

I got it for 3.07 a gallon the other day, but that was for E15 and that's still not how averages work. Before the war I could get E15 around here for like 2.30ish a gallon.

What could you get gas for before the war started at that gas station? That's the important question not playing around with antidotal evidence to go against the averages.

the low-mid twos here in the 'burg ... currently in the low threes now...

it won't take long for it get back to pre-war prices in the 'sip ... who knows in the blue states...

you're gonna lose that bet unless they stir up the sand again - which is possible...

Go on the record then, how long do you think it's going to take for gas prices to get back in your state to the pre-war level?

(06-16-2026 01:12 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 12:35 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

I got it for 3.07 a gallon the other day, but that was for E15 and that's still not how averages work. Before the war I could get E15 around here for like 2.30ish a gallon.

What could you get gas for before the war started at that gas station? That's the important question not playing around with antidotal evidence to go against the averages.

I didn't respond in order to participate in the "averages" tit for tat yall are in. I was merely stating what it is today where im located. Its dropped nearly 70 cents in the last few weeks. Im not concerned with averages. Its moving in the right direction now and I'm happy.

(06-16-2026 01:30 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 11:12 AM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:53 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 10:47 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  I'm glad it's going down, hope it continues. The real question is how long does it take to get back down to where it was pre-war. I have a bet with someone on this board, already forgot who it was, that when the war ends and the strait is reopened it's going to take at least double the length of time it was closed for gas to return to the pre-war average. Actually do hope I lose that bet as it would be better for the entire country if it doesn't end up taking 200-300 days or more for gas to return to pre-war prices.

In my experience, there's usually about a 1-3 week lag between when oil prices decrease and we see a decrease in local gas prices. Reasons include inventory already purchased, pricing behavior (local competition), taxes/fixed costs, etc. So, hopefully it won't take too long but it won't be immediate, which is what some people expect.

There is only one thing that affects gas prices at a station. The Market. If I own both gas stations at an Interstate exit, I am going to charge $3.99/gal, but if there are 4 stations at the next exit 10 miles away the average price there will be in the $3.50s or lower, because the lowest priced gas with the amenities, bathrooms, food etc. that I am looking for will get the business. That's why small independent stations close down on exits that a big boy, Flying J, QT, Loves etc. opens up on. Those stations will lose $0.20-0.30/gal to get you to come inside and buy a $3.00 soft drink that costs them 50cents or a $1.00 phone charger they sell for $13.

True, I just broke down the market components.

we have a few that gouge here (campus of all places and a few on the west side) ... so, that doesn't always hold firm...

regardless, they're easy to dodge...

(06-16-2026 01:38 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:27 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 01:12 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(06-16-2026 12:35 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  Got gas today at $3.35 per gallon. No points or discounts.

I got it for 3.07 a gallon the other day, but that was for E15 and that's still not how averages work. Before the war I could get E15 around here for like 2.30ish a gallon.

What could you get gas for before the war started at that gas station? That's the important question not playing around with antidotal evidence to go against the averages.

the low-mid twos here in the 'burg ... currently in the low threes now...

it won't take long for it get back to pre-war prices in the 'sip ... who knows in the blue states...

you're gonna lose that bet unless they stir up the sand again - which is possible...

Go on the record then, how long do you think it's going to take for gas prices to get back in your state to the pre-war level?

best guess would be a week or so after the sesquicentennial...