Gasoline Price Predictions for 08

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » May 22, 2008, 2:18 am

We're using the Price is Right rules here. Whoever guesses the closest without going over wins the right to brag on this board that they were right about something no one really cares about. We're talking price per gallon of unleaded regular gasoline.

I predict gas will hit a high of at least $6.25 by the end of the year.

Gas Prices 7/11, using Mapquest gas prices, highest/lowest and averaging:

Highest - 5.67 Lake Powell, UT
Lowest - 3.65 Oaklahoma City, OK
AVG = 4.66

Spang · Post by **Spang** » May 22, 2008, 3:23 am

About tree-fitty!

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » May 22, 2008, 5:26 am

At least $6.26.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » May 22, 2008, 6:52 am

No chance in hell gas goes over $6/gallon this year.

My guess is It will top out around $4.50

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » May 22, 2008, 7:07 am

$4.51

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » May 22, 2008, 9:32 am

13 kr/l.

Post by **Xouqoa** » May 22, 2008, 10:05 am

$1.00

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 10:52 am

I'll say 4.70

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 22, 2008, 10:55 am

$1.01

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » May 22, 2008, 11:08 am

I predict it will reach "Ohmygod OUCH!" but not quite "Boss, I will have to work from home... every day."

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 22, 2008, 11:09 am

Ashur wrote:I predict it will reach "Ohmygod OUCH!" but not quite "Boss, I will have to work from home... every day."

I've already been pitching the second option. It has been working for my sister, and she has been working from home for 4+ years now.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 11:41 am

Boogahz wrote:
Ashur wrote:I predict it will reach "Ohmygod OUCH!" but not quite "Boss, I will have to work from home... every day."
I've already been pitching the second option. It has been working for my sister, and she has been working from home for 4+ years now.

Yeah I can work from home when I want, but not all the time.. My company doesn't want that which seems strange to me, because it seems to be pretty standard in computer related jobs that you can just work from home if you want.

I actually get more done when I'm at home, and it has seemed to me like most of the people I work with do too, so I would find it very hard to buy any argument made about decreased productivity when working from home.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 11:42 am

Ashur wrote:I predict it will reach "Ohmygod OUCH!" but not quite "Boss, I will have to work from home... every day."

I'm with ya, and 6+ dollars/gallon like guessed above would definitely fall into the "I have to work from home, every day" category.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » May 22, 2008, 11:59 am

I carpool!

EDIT: I'd take the bus if I could, but although I could get to work on time, I'd have to leave at 3:00 to make the last connection that gets back out by my place. That won't fly. My coworker takes the bus and loves it. He's said he never wants to commute by car again and that would impact his choice of employer.

Post by **Sylvus** » May 22, 2008, 12:07 pm

It hit $3.9990/gal. here today

It better not hit $5!

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » May 22, 2008, 12:09 pm

current danish price (taking into account really fucking low dollar lololol): $9,84/gallon

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 12:19 pm

Sylvus wrote:It hit $3.9990/gal. here today

It better not hit $5!

I paid 4.05/gal this morning. I put premium in my car though.

laneela · Post by **laneela** » May 22, 2008, 12:52 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:current danish price (taking into account really fucking low dollar lololol): $9,84/gallon

There've been a few threads lately that have made me think. You don't have a car so gas price doesn't affect you. Or Nick, I assume. Or the majority of the Europeans on this board. How much do you spend on transportation on an average week?

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » May 22, 2008, 1:07 pm

I agree. Ban Euros from this thread!

We all know gas is high elsewhere (ie outside the US). We also know most other places the public transportation system is much better than it is in the US so there are less people relying on needing a personal vehicle for day-to-day use. No need to go over all that again. But I'm sure that wont stop anyone.

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » May 22, 2008, 1:12 pm

laneela wrote:
Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:current danish price (taking into account really fucking low dollar lololol): $9,84/gallon

There've been a few threads lately that have made me think. You don't have a car so gas price doesn't affect you. Or Nick, I assume. Or the majority of the Europeans on this board. How much do you spend on transportation on an average week?

Since some fucker stole my bike, I've used around 600kr/month on local public transportation and around 1000 dkk on regional public transportation - roughly $130 and $215 respectively.

With my bike I'd probably use around $40/month on local transportation.

If I were to buy a new car, the total cost for the cheapest options (something like a Toyota Aygo 1.0) would run me around 2,80 kr/km for the first 3 years - that's including writeoffs on car value, insurance, road taxes and gasoline - or around 40 cents/mile. Comedy Mercedes SL500 option: $5,80 / mile

edit: Aslanna, I'm not pointing fingers or saying that the US sucks completely horribly etc., I'm just presenting how things look over here. I figured I should since I'd given my bid on danish gas prices 2008. I do have strong opinions on gas tax and public transportation, but I didn't bring that up in this discussion - you did.

Post by **Sylvus** » May 22, 2008, 1:15 pm

I just read an article that my city just approved a bump in cab fares, due to the high price of gasoline right now. High gas prices encourage people to drink and drive!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » May 22, 2008, 1:18 pm

I'll say $4.89.99/gal.

I try to mitigate by taking the light rail into work a few times a week. My company pays for Tri-Met passes (MAX, Streetcar, bus) each year. Beauty is The closest MAX (light rail) stop is just down the street and there is a stop next to my office...takes about 20 minutes.

I'd take it more often if I didn't have so many errands and whatnot to run after work. I figure I will be able to save more once I purchase some migrant workers to rickshaw me around.

laneela · Post by **laneela** » May 22, 2008, 1:47 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:
laneela wrote:
Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:current danish price (taking into account really fucking low dollar lololol): $9,84/gallon

There've been a few threads lately that have made me think. You don't have a car so gas price doesn't affect you. Or Nick, I assume. Or the majority of the Europeans on this board. How much do you spend on transportation on an average week?
Since some fucker stole my bike, I've used around 600kr/month on local public transportation and around 1000 dkk on regional public transportation - roughly $130 and $215 respectively.

With my bike I'd probably use around $40/month on local transportation.

If I were to buy a new car, the total cost for the cheapest options (something like a Toyota Aygo 1.0) would run me around 2,80 kr/km for the first 3 years - that's including writeoffs on car value, insurance, road taxes and gasoline - or around 40 cents/mile. Comedy Mercedes SL500 option: $5,80 / mile

edit: Aslanna, I'm not pointing fingers or saying that the US sucks completely horribly etc., I'm just presenting how things look over here. I figured I should since I'd given my bid on danish gas prices 2008. I do have strong opinions on gas tax and public transportation, but I didn't bring that up in this discussion - you did.

I wasn't getting at what Aslanna was getting at. I was sincerely curious. The fact of the matter is that most Americans living outside of NY, Chicago, Boston or San Francisco (am I missing another US city with decent public transportation?) rely on their vehicles to get them around because the public transportation available is laughable. I think it's sad that the Miami-Dade transportation system is as horrible as it is but I have to deal with it. I live 8 miles from where I work. If I were to try to take the public transport available to me, it would take me 3 buses, at least an hour and a half and $2.00 each way. By car? No waiting at bus stops for 20 minutes in the hot humidity, 20 minutes and about $2.50. What that boils down to is that you, because you live in a place that has given importance to other means of transportation do not need a car. I do.

That said, when I first bought my car (which I purposely chose for its gas mileage amongst other reasons) in October, it cost me $30.00 to fill up. It nows costs me $48.00. I fill up about once a week. Most people I know are jealous of how little I spend and I spend $250 a month on transportation.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » May 22, 2008, 2:02 pm

I only brought it up because it always seems to end up in the discussion with gas prices and uppity Euros (not saying you specifically!) jumping in telling how much it is there and telling us to stop crying about it and to just STFU about it and take the bus. Or something.

Anyway.. When I purchased my vehicle (12 years ago!) it cost less than 15 dollars to fill the (13 gallon) tank. $1 a gallon gas wasn't that long ago in the grand scheme of things. I think the last time it cost me $45. After moving recently from downtown I now have to drive to work which is 12.5 miles one way. I work from home 2 days a week so that's 75 miles a week if I don't do much extra driving. Gas mileage isn't that bad I think I got 325 miles on my last tank. So that's basically about a gallon to get to work and back. Overall I don't think I have it too bad as I can almost get a months transportation out of a tank of gas but I know others aren't as lucky. Some people where I work now drive 45 miles or more one way to work... Which has to suck.

Still much more than I was paying when I walked to work. I might even consider moving back downtown (but in a different building) when my current lease is up since that's a $600 savings over the course of a year. Will have the weigh the pros/cons at that point though since I like where I'm living now.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » May 22, 2008, 2:22 pm

I always looked at other countries prices on gasoline as a reality check... Despite the hysteria, we don't have it all that bad, even at $4/gallon.

My truck has a 25 gallon gas tank. I put about $50 in each time, which gives me a half tank, and I fill up about once a week...

The difference between myself and most people... since I'm not on a budget, I don't pay any attention to the price. I put $50 in and drive until I have to fill up again. I don't whine and complain, though I have consciously decided to NOT go somewhere so I could save some gas.

As usual, the hysteria is the problem... The 'futures trading' of oil is a rusty knife in the back of consumers. The price of gasoline has been completely disconnected from the actual cost of creating and transporting it, and that is a serious problem being taken advantage of by many parties.

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » May 22, 2008, 3:16 pm

Just to reinforce the US vs. Euro.

I live in a moderately sized suburban area (about 1 million people in the area), which I would say is a good sized city. Not NY, LA, Chicago of course, but decent size.

The average commute for people in this area is about 25 miles, or 30-45 minutes.

Doesn't sound like much but if you compare just 2-3 years ago of $2 gas, to the prices now of $4 (I paid $4.03 this morning for regular 87 octane), for a vehicle that gets 20 miles to the gallon, that's $25 a week increase, or $100-$125 a month - just for commuting to work. So that's an EXTRA $1300 after tax dollars of mine going down the tube just so I can make a living. Never mind going to the grocery store, picking up dry cleaning etc etc etc. As I'm an anal accountant, I have tracked my expenses for years, and over all between myself and my wife we are paying $300 more for gas per month than we were just two years ago (last month total was $600 spent just on gas, and we didn't go on any trips).

I have no idea what it is like in similar size cities in Europe, but just thought I'd throw that out there for comparison purposes.

And for my two cents, i'll say $4.75.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 3:19 pm

Canoe wrote:Just to reinforce the US vs. Euro.

I live in a moderately sized suburban area (about 1 million people in the area), which I would say is a good sized city. Not NY, LA, Chicago of course, but decent size.

The average commute for people in this area is about 25 miles, or 30-45 minutes.

Doesn't sound like much but if you compare just 2-3 years ago of $2 gas, to the prices now of $4 (I paid $4.03 this morning for regular 87 octane), for a vehicle that gets 20 miles to the gallon, that's $25 a week increase, or $100-$125 a month - just for commuting to work. So that's an EXTRA $1300 after tax dollars of mine going down the tube just so I can make a living. Never mind going to the grocery store, picking up dry cleaning etc etc etc. As I'm an anal accountant, I have tracked my expenses for years, and over all between myself and my wife we are paying $300 more for gas per month than we were just two years ago (last month total was $600 spent just on gas, and we didn't go on any trips).

I have no idea what it is like in similar size cities in Europe, but just thought I'd throw that out there for comparison purposes.

And for my two cents, i'll say $4.75.

Not to mention the higher prices (which are higher because of gas prices largely) you are paying for those things you have to use gas to go buy (groceries, etc).

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » May 22, 2008, 3:58 pm

Funkmasterr wrote:Yeah I can work from home when I want, but not all the time.. My company doesn't want that which seems strange to me, because it seems to be pretty standard in computer related jobs that you can just work from home if you want.

I actually get more done when I'm at home, and it has seemed to me like most of the people I work with do too, so I would find it very hard to buy any argument made about decreased productivity when working from home.

Not to derail the topic, but I've managed staffs of folks that work remotely as well as on site. It takes a person with a lot of self-discipline and self-responsibility to make that work, as well as a role that allows for them to be remote. It was about 25% of people who washed out and were either terminated or quit because it didn't work out. The terminations were people who began taking shortcuts, became unreliable or took other jobs during the period they were supposed to be at work for me (wtf?). I had one or two folks come back because they said that there were too many distractions at home or it was easier to concentrate on work when others were around them doing the same job.

Myself, I hate working from home because my wife and daughter are there and I get little accomplished because my wife is asking me every five minutes if I'm on the phone or when my next call is and can't get it though her head that my work hours are my work hours, not just a bunch of independent work-related tasks I'm doing on my own time.

Jarori Bloodletter · Post by **Jarori Bloodletter** » May 22, 2008, 3:59 pm

Washington Unleaded Average

Regular- Mid- Premium -Diesel

Current Avg. $3.915 -$4.055 -$4.257- $4.751
Yesterday Avg. $3.894- $4.033 -$4.234- $4.733
Month Ago Avg. $3.643- $3.774 -$3.962 -$4.420
Year Ago Avg. $3.437- $3.560 -$3.737 -$3.070

I say 4.33 regular Unleaded.

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » May 22, 2008, 4:05 pm

Just for grins I wanted to see what my area's historical was.

5 years ago - $1.45
3 years ago - $2.16
2 years ago - $2.35
18months ago - $2.35
12 months ago - $3.15
9 Months ago - $2.87
6 Months ago - $3.27
3 Months ago - $3.32
1 Month ago - $3.62
Current - $3.95

Siji · Post by **Siji** » May 22, 2008, 4:10 pm

It could happen, but I think $4.50 a gallon will be a ceiling that if broken will cause a shitstorm of backlash from John Q. Public. (Note I didn't say a lowering of driving or gas purchasing) Even numbers are like that. I also think that once $4.00 (as a country-wide average) is broken the rumbles that already started at $3.90 will increase. Congress is already on it (not that I think they'll do anything yet).

Truckers are already declining running routes because it costs them money to do it as opposed to making them money. (Diesel last time I looked here a few weeks ago, was $4.50 a gallon) When that's the case, and products aren't being transported, bad things start to happen.

So by end of year, I'll say no higher than $4.49 a gallon (country-wide average, screw those freaky Californians).

Addendum: Forget taking taxi's home from bars.. there's a new service called Zingo where they'll drive your car (with you and whoever you put in it) to your house for you for $15 plus $2 per mile (no distance limit). The driver then takes their foldable scooter out of your trunk and head out. That's less expensive than a cab, and you don't have to arrange getting your car home the next day. Talk about a brilliant business idea. (http://www.callzingo.com)

"Myself, I hate working from home because my wife and daughter are there and I get little accomplished because my wife is asking me every five minutes if I'm on the phone or when my next call is and can't get it though her head that my work hours are my work hours, not just a bunch of independent work-related tasks I'm doing on my own time."

Ditto. Exactly. Me too. And it sucks, because I'd much rather work at home. Unfortunately my office isn't completely enclosed and doesn't have a door. So if my daughter isn't trying to climb over the gate, then she's making "Ooo! Ooo!" sounds at the Backyardigans on TV in the other room. It's hard to concentrate, or have phone calls. Then of course there are the times when I can't resist putting work down to go play with her for a minute..

Noysyrump · Post by **Noysyrump** » May 22, 2008, 4:54 pm

Siji beat me to it. but I can still beat him... $4.499, Since that is how gas stations price it anyways.

The shit storm has already started, even local news has been running those "it costs $1800 to fill my truck, so I cant deliver the 'low paying' jobs" bits. The only way however, to fix this, is to get the poloticians out of it. Let the oil companies do what they get payed to do, instead of telling them they make too much in profits.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » May 22, 2008, 5:06 pm

Oil companies are paid to make money.. I'm not sure I get what you're saying by implying we should let them do what they do. I'm of the opinion that something as vital to the operation of the country as a whole as gasoline is, needs to be regulated by the government just like water and food.

I'm open to listening to reasons that this would be a bad idea, but I can't think of any that are big enough to outweigh the positives. (mainly that voters would theoretically have some kind of say about government regulation methods/actions).

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » May 22, 2008, 5:20 pm

Siji wrote:Oil companies are paid to make money.. I'm not sure I get what you're saying by implying we should let them do what they do. I'm of the opinion that something as vital to the operation of the country as a whole as gasoline is, needs to be regulated by the government just like water and food.

I'm open to listening to reasons that this would be a bad idea, but I can't think of any that are big enough to outweigh the positives. (mainly that voters would theoretically have some kind of say about government regulation methods/actions).

I'm all about the government regulating them and basically limiting them to what the can charge us (within reason). I understand that's easier said than done, but I don't really care at this point.

Noysyrump · Post by **Noysyrump** » May 22, 2008, 6:27 pm

I'm not sure of the validity of it, But I have heard that the oil company's profits are about 5 cents per gallon. Obviosly with the great amount of oil this involves, It makes a large sum. However, they do all the work, drill, recover, refine, transport. Local taxes here in sunny san diego total 35 cents per gallon. The gubment gets 7 times the profit and has nothing to do with actually bringin in the resource.

That just seems wrong in so many ways.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » May 22, 2008, 6:39 pm

This should help McCain win the presidency.

McCain: lets kick some ass and get gas under $3

Obama: we should all be riding tricycles to work

Not saying it's right but money talks and peeps have to see those high gas prices everyday and aren't going to be buying a 50K hybrid car anytime soon.

If a candidate wanted to put nuke power plants on every street corner, they'd get my vote. Really, who cares if there's a Chernobyl in the U.S.? That's really overblown. So you lose some lives and can't live in an area for a hundred years or so. Small price to pay for powering the entire nation on the cheap.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » May 22, 2008, 8:40 pm

Winnow wrote:McCain: lets kick some ass and get gas under $3

Obama: we should all be riding tricycles to work

OMG the images!

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » May 23, 2008, 12:20 am

$4.09 - yeouch!~

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » May 25, 2008, 4:20 pm

New high! Gas is $4.10 locally and national is updated in the original post.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » May 25, 2008, 11:02 pm

Not a good time to take a reading, gas prices always go above normal for 3 day weekends.

Though, I haven't seen it rising that much near me (hasn't broken $4.00 yet).

miir · Post by **miir** » May 26, 2008, 1:06 pm

laneela wrote:I think it's sad that the Miami-Dade transportation system is as horrible as it is but I have to deal with it. I live 8 miles from where I work. If I were to try to take the public transport available to me, it would take me 3 buses, at least an hour and a half and $2.00 each way. By car? No waiting at bus stops for 20 minutes in the hot humidity, 20 minutes and about $2.50. What that boils down to is that you, because you live in a place that has given importance to other means of transportation do not need a car. I do.

Wow, thats just awful.
I live about 6-7 miles from work and public transit takes about 30 minutes door to door.

Knarlz · Post by **Knarlz** » May 27, 2008, 10:32 am

I'm doubtfull that the goverment will be able to do much in the way of price caps to limit the increases.
It's the federal gov that has run up a 10 trillion ( with a T ) debt. (not counting unfunded liabilities for the future, social security, and what passes for health care) that has tanked the dollar. (also redickulus low intrest rates to save the fuckers at wall street )

State wise I live in fucking new york. With their usuall bull shit semantics, they clame to have some of the lowest gas "taxes" in the counrty. However they also have % based fees and levies.

((((gas + %NY gas tax) x % fee) x % levie) x %sales tax)

I am paying taxes on taxes on taxes on taxes.

In the last 3years, NY has rissen from having gas price about the national average to right to the top ( with in a few cents) It will soon be the highest in the country just due to the quad compounding % based tax effects.

The largest profiteering here, hasn't been the oil companies but the fucking state.

Here' how crap works in NY. The NY state transit authority ( members are appointed for life by the current govenor. This adgency reports to and is overseen by NOBODY!!) claim that with rising gas prices, people are driving less on the toll roads, thus a 15% increase in tolls are required. Fucking assholes. ( to their credit they do a good job on the throughways in the winter )

Gas will hit $5.25 in 2008.

Knarlz · Post by **Knarlz** » May 27, 2008, 11:47 am

Bus alternitive:

There are busses "near" where I live and work.

I presently drive 25 miles each way and get about 25 mpg. It normaly takes me 30 mintues. Normal work hours are 8:00-4:30

Car (gas only) ~ $170/month
Bus pass-- $66/month

via bus:
leave home 6:00 am
walk 2 miles
catch the 6:33
transfer busses 2 times
exit 3rd bus 7:38
walk 1/2 mile to work. ( the plant is comfortably nestled between the youth offender facility and a row of boarded up crack houses. Not the best area for a stroll)

leave work 4:30
walk 1/2 mile
catch the 4:59
transfer bus 1 time
exit 2nd bus 6:10
walk 2 miles home.

21 round trips/month at todays $4.13/gal saves $4.95/day! but takes over 3 hours longer.

This won't work in the winter time though. So the park and ride option... save $3.50/day at 2.5 hours longer.

If I worked downtown (Buffalo), had a straight shot on 1 bus and had to pay parking downtown, then a bus "might" be an option instead.

valryte · Post by **valryte** » May 27, 2008, 5:34 pm

So glad I work from home now...perfect timing.

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » May 28, 2008, 6:19 am

Gas is about to fall in price. No more school buses to suck it up, less students driving to school. Post Memorial day, was the key. It is 3.74 here in SC and I doubt it goes over 3.80 before it drops to around 2.75 by the end of Summer.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » May 28, 2008, 11:33 am

Xouqoa wrote:$1.00

perhaps more than that Xou

Prices at the pump usually peak in the early summer. It's also different prices all over the country. NJ still has pretty low prices comparatively speaking even though it's still full service. About 3.75-3.78 around here.
Still diesel is way up, poland spring increased their time between deliveries to ease the cost in addition to a gas surcharge. I'm sure multiple services are being effected by this.

Oh well, I drive an 11 year old civic. I get offers to sell now more than ever. I get around 30-32 per gallon so it does pretty well for an older, high mileage car.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » May 28, 2008, 3:42 pm

Chidoro wrote:
Xouqoa wrote:$1.00
perhaps more than that Xou

.

LOL. I always forget you listen to O&A until I see little things like this. Nice.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » May 28, 2008, 3:42 pm

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » May 28, 2008, 6:24 pm

Soon as the election is over the price of gas will drop and whichever party won the election will claim responsibility for that drop. I believe that if this wasn't an election year the price of gas would not have risen to the point it is today.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » May 28, 2008, 6:41 pm

Some questions came to mind:

Does the increase in the price of oil have an impact on the election?

Does it favor one party more than the other?

Does it favor a specific candidate?

Were I to guess, my answer would be yes to all three.