GasBuddy News Article

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Americans take to road but cautious after gas shock

Reuters -- GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - Robert Neal will take to the road this Independence Day holiday the same as millions of other Americans. But there's a difference in their road-trip ritual this Fourth of July.

The price of gasoline, while down sharply from last year's peak, means the 74-year-old owner of a motor home may not venture as far as he has in the past.

Standing in shorts and sneakers outside his RV at a campground in Grapevine, a lakeside town near Dallas, Neal said he and his wife remained unsure where to go next. "The gas price as it is now, it's a maybe, maybe," he said.

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Submitted Jul 03, 2009 By: GM

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GOLDWING2003 Champion Author California Posts:1,713 Points:421,310 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:47:22 PM Ignore GOLDWING2003 Report Abuse I'll wait until next week when the local prices go down.
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:2,078 Points:451,745 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:43:03 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse I'm gonna go next door to Lodi and sit on a blanket by the lake and watch the fireworks. I love the fourth and the history of this Great Land.
dabuzman Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,809 Points:1,000,900 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:35:00 PM Ignore dabuzman Report Abuse Most are still trying to recover from last year and just getting by this year with pump prices around the $2.70 a gallon. Their is more greed in the west that east. That could come back to get then!
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,623 Points:528,455 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:32:49 PM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse unemployment makes US cautious
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,834 Points:1,275,020 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:29:17 PM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse I also have a Class A motor home. True, I haven't been using it as often or gone as far as I normal did, but you really need to study how far you are going, how long you will be gone etc because it may be much cheaper to take the RV when you figure the lodging costs, food, etc, even with the cost of gas. This must be an individual decision.
WCCurtis Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,000 Points:918,490 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:24:28 PM Ignore WCCurtis Report Abuse With Unemployment and Gasoline prices so high it is amazing anyone is on the road for pleasure.
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,520 Points:1,815,085 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:14:51 PM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse Hate to say it, but I am also going to travel a bit this weekend.
thegovner Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,145 Points:1,476,305 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:13:46 PM Ignore thegovner Report Abuse thats been my feeling for the last year
gg42210 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,899 Points:332,970 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:13:27 PM Ignore gg42210 Report Abuse people dont have money to drive anywere. alot dont have jobs. just staying home eating bbq chicken, if they can afford that.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,255 Points:574,360 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:08:49 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse Gas is cheaper than last year; maybe Americans are not traveling as far because they don't know if they'll still have a job when they return?
takethe_point Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,161 Points:68,505 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:08:36 PM Ignore takethe_point Report Abuse camping in the house this year.
dannyshouse Champion Author San Francisco Posts:1,461 Points:663,850 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:06:50 PM Ignore dannyshouse Report Abuse only travelling when nececessary and affordable
TXHUNTER1 Sophomore Author Austin Posts:117 Points:66,685 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:06:42 PM Ignore TXHUNTER1 Report Abuse I'm not going on long trips any more.
traindude Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,320 Points:782,225 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:04:29 PM Ignore traindude Report Abuse camping in the backyard this year
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:4,218 Points:466,505 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:00:00 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse I'd like to go home to see my family but I am staying put to conserve but it would be nice to be able to go somewhere.
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,527 Points:512,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:59:27 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse There was an article in the Sacramento Bee that said according to AAA, Californians used less gasoline for the 14th consecutive month. Yet, our prices are still the highest, go figure.
KerryDeland Champion Author Florida Posts:2,329 Points:455,165 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:54:35 PM Ignore KerryDeland Report Abuse Gas is still expensive for most ... and people are still driving/traveling less than they were years ago. EARTH SHAKING NEWS ... RIGHT?
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,809 Points:1,382,715 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:52:20 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse Most Americans will go somewhere during the summer. Some further than others. It happens every year. What we have to remember is to conserve the rest of the time. Conserving is how the gas prices came down last year. Not conserving is how they went up this year. We really need a good viable alternative fuel like Hydrogen. Maybe it makes to much sense to come through now but when it does and it will big oil and opec will really get a wake up call.
ampinoy13 Champion Author Oregon Posts:25,236 Points:1,814,585 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:51:03 PM Ignore ampinoy13 Report Abuse My RV is changing the sheets on the bed. Most of us can't AFFORD to take time off.
moody4u Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,973 Points:574,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:47:49 PM Ignore moody4u Report Abuse heard it thru the GRAPEVINE!
stugha Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,161 Points:266,065 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:42:52 PM Ignore stugha Report Abuse Most gas stations here are about the same price as last week. I saw two today that dropped regular 5 cents to $2.64 and $2.57 respectively.
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,122 Points:531,610 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:41:19 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse My RV is a bicycle and a tent etc...
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,339 Points:667,795 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:39:05 PM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse Gas dropped 15 cents today after hitting a high of $2.69 yesterday. Makes you wonder why there is such a difference every other day.
courier400 Champion Author Kansas Posts:9,735 Points:2,164,480 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:38:51 PM Ignore courier400 Report Abuse well its nice to relax, I guess.
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,223 Points:1,028,830 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:36:40 PM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse Just gotta keep on conserving.
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,407 Points:1,616,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:32:59 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse It's probably a good thing the 74+ age group is not driving something as large as motor home on the street we drive everday.
nojsts Champion Author St. Louis Posts:14,043 Points:2,828,980 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:28:01 PM Ignore nojsts Report Abuse Gas dropped 6 cents here this morning.
katmandue Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,145 Points:1,170,780 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:23:46 PM Ignore katmandue Report Abuse I am down to only 4 or 500 miles a month. At the rate it is not worth it for me to get a vehicle that get better gas milage.
no_monkey2002 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,778 Points:1,122,215 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:19:09 PM Ignore no_monkey2002 Report Abuse wise man
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:1,588 Points:366,895 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:13:31 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse We have been thinking twice before doing any travling.
ICUUCME Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:215 Points:1,148,700 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:08:51 PM Ignore ICUUCME Report Abuse I wanted to take a vacation, but wife says no. So she wins.
Ernman Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,196 Points:869,495 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:05:21 PM Ignore Ernman Report Abuse Staying home this summer, no vacations till fall.
roadjet Champion Author Baton Rouge Posts:8,881 Points:1,123,245 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:05:21 PM Ignore roadjet Report Abuse I think it is really funny that an article posted here about two months ago predicted gasoline to be at $1.50 a gallon for the 4th of July. Isn't it amazing that really good news never pans out!!!!
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:8,948 Points:1,746,800 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:02:27 PM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse I am staying close to home.
TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,535 Points:1,012,760 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:53:34 PM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse me too.
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,026 Points:1,085,195 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:53:02 PM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse High gas prices have taken a toll on retired people who have taken long RV trips in the past. I guess you can save $75 to $100/ day if not staying in nice hotel rooms; however, it would take a lot of days to make up for the cost of the RV and the gas that it uses. Elkhart Indiana is 20% unemployment when the sales of RV's hit the skids.
la90042 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,402 Points:505,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:49:07 PM Ignore la90042 Report Abuse need to keep conserving spend the $$ on something other than gasoline....
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,818 Points:604,880 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:42:45 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse I'll wait until next week when the local prices go down.
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,239 Points:767,110 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:42:26 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse I'm staying home and drinking. I'm supporting the beer companies instead of the oil companies!
theduster1 Champion Author Texas Posts:1,411 Points:318,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:39:58 PM Ignore theduster1 Report Abuse wish i could afford a rv let alone the gas
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,995 Points:578,925 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:39:54 PM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Less demand, price drop, right?
hangupanddrive Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,831 Points:1,157,655 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:37:42 PM Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse My RV gets 32-35mpg highway. It's a car with a tent!!!!
OTISFL All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:828 Points:148,380 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:36:10 PM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse Wish I was in Nebraska!! You're lucky
JerryBx7 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,624 Points:508,770 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:27:43 PM Ignore JerryBx7 Report Abuse I will admit that an RV trip looks better this year than last. By the time you take out hotel rooms, resturant meals by using the RV cost is way down from last year. That said however, the wheel covers are staying on mine until the planned trip this fall that I am already budgeting for, just like last year. Got to plan ahead for 10 mpg, lol. [Edited by: JerryBx7 at 7/3/2009 3:31:00 PM EST]
trikemike Veteran Author Rochester Posts:320 Points:53,270 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:26:15 PM Ignore trikemike Report Abuse Im thinkin there are a lot of Mega RV's that can be had pretty cheap!
DellMan Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,917 Points:442,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:23:31 PM Ignore DellMan Report Abuse Prices have dropped almost 40 cents over the past few weeks here in Nebraska.
sgonza98 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,502 Points:556,405 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:23:28 PM Ignore sgonza98 Report Abuse Gas is still too high for serious road travel.
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,447 Points:1,402,395 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:19:03 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Gas prices have dropped here by about a dime over the last 2 wweks.
Beboper Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,762 Points:1,184,460 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:18:00 PM Ignore Beboper Report Abuse stay off the roads conserve gas
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:11,460 Points:1,174,180 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:17:11 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Local price of gasoline is down, lowest in Arizona.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,559 Points:857,785 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:16:43 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse The gas came a little. They could be building us up for a fast let down. And it can come so fast.
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:12:30 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse He should probably get rid of the RV or convert it to LNG.