gas quality

If one is intending to get a tank of gasoline to run a generator (or lawnmower or weed trimmer, or any other small engine), it pays to search for and purchase gasoline which does not have any ethanol added. While it will cost more in the short term, it will pay off in the long term with fewer repairs. I purchase ethanol free gasoline from a dealer near me. I then add fuel stabilizer. I have not had any fuel related problems with my small engines. I can't say the same for some people I know who bought the ethanol polluted gasoline and tried to use an additive which claimed to make the gasoline with ethanol safe for small engines. It will eventually cause problems. I have replaced carburetors more than once in the past few years where the jets got clogged. In the meantime, my no-ethanol gasoline policy means that my small engines continue to run well, even after sitting for extended periods.

We do cut over to New Hampshire  a lot, gas is usually cheaper over there

Jon,

Not sure why Missouri dropped prices so fast, but here's an explanation as to why gas prices are so low there in general.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/why-does-missouri-have-lowest-gas-prices-country

Leo,

Unfortunately these factors don't seem to be in play in Vermont. Although whenever I drive up there, I plan my fill ups so I can buy gas there rather than CT.

In the end we all pay, pump, and drive.

ya, i dont get the gas price changes.  usually it goes up in big chunks and drops in little pieces.  well yesterday it went down in a 30 cent chunk!!!!  $1.75 now.  btw, the last 4 tanks were from sams.  hogone

Well, I'll tell you what I think I know.....

The EPA requires all States to use summer blend by June 1st of each year. The date of switching to winter blend is left to the individual States. For example, the folks in Alaska will need a winter blend sooner than us folks in Hoosier land.

The winter blend does have less "energy". However there are other factors, such as; a cold engine requires a richer fuel mixture to start and run. Another consideration is the tendency to let an engine "warm up" (idle) a bit longer in cold weather.

As far as differences in 2 nearby fuel stations, one could still be selling the remainder of their summer blend, while the other has already switched to winter blend. I suppose it depends upon when each station needs to order gas to "refill" their inventory (underground storage tanks).

In the end, it is all probably a plot of the big oil companies. All of this switching back and forth is a great excuse to raise the price!