Someone noted that searching for a lowest price station could yield a savings of $ 0.20 / gallon.
How much is the actual savings for a 1,000 mile trip?
Let's assume the comparison is using the Flying J cash price.
Let's assume a best case $ 0.20 difference in price, before the RV Plus Card discount
Let's assume you get 10 mpg.
| Pilot/Flying J | Local Truck Stop |
| | |
| Price | $3.00 | $2.80 |
| Discounted | $2.94 | $2.80 |
| MPG | 10 | 10 |
| Trip Length | 1000 | 1000 |
| Gallons Used | 100 | 100 |
| Cost of Trip | $294.00 | $280.00 |
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So that's a net savings of $14 for a 1,000 mile trip. And if you have to get a DEF fill during that trip, the bulk
DEF price will save you about $8-10 over Walmart pricing for 2 2.5 Gallon jugs.
That reduces the net savings to $4-6.
If you have to drive 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) further to get to that $0.20 lower price, 4 fuel stop detours will cost you an extra $3 in fuel cost.
Now your savings is down to $1-3. And for that you get a greater likelihood of fresh, clean fuel and fresh DEF.
If prices change, not much difference. If MPG changes, not much difference.
Anyway, that's why I stop at Flying J/Pilot stations whenever convenient.
If you have a 5% rebate on your credit card, the savings opens up by $6.00 because you lose the discount at Flying J/Pilot. You also lose the cash price, but that's likely true at the other truck stop as well.
Nice comparison Dan
