Before You Go: Tips and Resources - Bookmark This Site: Gaspricewatch.com Saves You Pennies at the Pump

www.frommers.com Author: David A. Lytle

With gas prices reaching all time highs across the country--over $2 a gallon in parts of the east coast, over $3 a gallon (what?!?) in parts of California--drivers need all the help they can get to squeeze out some savings at service station. Prices have been driven up by many factors: decreased oil production in Venezuela, the current threat of war in Iraq, the switch to summer weight gas for cars and simple greed on the part of manufacturers and suppliers. Fortunately, there's a useful grassroots tool we more than pleased to tell you about: a simple Web site called Gaspricewatch.com.

Its name says it all, really. Actual prices from gas stations across the United States and Canada are collected and submitted by "spotters," concerned cyber-citizens who track the cost-per-gallon at their local pumps and post them on the site. Currently, there are over 73,000 such spotters actively recording and submitting price data. And they're not paid; it's pure civic responsibility that drives the cause to find the lowest prices.

How does this benefit you? Two ways: the prices are searchable by zip code, so you can quickly find the lowest priced pump in your community. Simply go to www.gaspricewatch.com, click on either US Gas or Canada Gas, enter your zip code and submit. You'll get a roster of gas stations, their addresses, phone numbers and the last recorded prices for regular, plus, premium and diesel fuels. Since this is a volunteer organization, the prices may be somewhat outdated (up to a week or more in some cases we found), but the handy phone number will let you call to verify ahead. There is also a handy map feature so you can pinpoint the exact location of the station before you head out to fill up your tank. This is especially good when you're a planning long distance journey--you can pick your stations with maps ahead of time--saving you precious vacation dollars.

What's the second benefit? Simple economics. If everyone uses a service such as this and heads to the lowest priced pumps, those price gougers will have to change their tune.

Now, since you know about this wonderful site, please sign up to be a spotter. It's free, and just think of the amount of time you spend in your car waiting for a light to change next to a gas station. Take that time to jot down your local prices, and as soon as you're in front of your computer, login and enter the data. Secondly, e-mail this article (just click the blue "EMAIL" icon at the top of this page to get started) to everyone you know who drives. It's free information that will help everyone out.

Have you used Gaspricewatch.com before? How are the prices at the pumps in your hometown? Tell us about it in our Message Boards by clicking here.