Why is gas so much more expensive in Ames than

aute19

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Sep 30, 2011
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Pennsylvania?

Yessir.

The thing that seems to upset the people here the most isn't so much the cost, but the constant promise that "these tax increases will improve road infrastructure". Fact is, PA has some of the highest gasoline taxes in the country and routinely some of the worst roads.

Anyways, I digress; don't want this to head to the cave.
 
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NATEizKING

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Feb 18, 2011
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Hilton
More expensive in Mtown than Des Moines also, always fill up before we head back to town. We even have competition between Casey's (at least 5) and Kwik Star (3), as well as a couple Git N Go's, HyVee and other gas stations.
 

khardbored

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Oct 20, 2012
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Middle of the Midwest
So we should go ask Herman Quirmbach?

I know this is off topic (in the "off topic thread"), but I just recalled that I had him as a teacher for one class in '98. On the very first day of class, he said, "If you are a good student, you would have already bought the textbook and read the first chapter," and he was not joking.

:frown3qg:
 

Cycsk

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It always been .05-.10 cents more since at least 2002. its usually about .03 cents more then Nevada.



Doesn't this have something to do with local taxes being different in various municipalities?
 

chuckd4735

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Doesn't this have something to do with local taxes being different in various municipalities?

Im pretty sure gas is exempt from sales tax. Never the less, sales tax in Iowa is 6%, and municipalities have the option to raise it to 7%, so that would not account for the difference.
 

ia8manfan

Active Member
Apr 12, 2006
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Philadelphia
Yessir.

The thing that seems to upset the people here the most isn't so much the cost, but the constant promise that "these tax increases will improve road infrastructure". Fact is, PA has some of the highest gasoline taxes in the country and routinely some of the worst roads.

Anyways, I digress; don't want this to head to the cave.

Because state DOT'S are quick to point out how they need money to maintain existing infrastructure, but when the dough rolls in, they end up spending it on shiny new roads to empty fields.

I'm exaggerating a bit, but as an engineer who has worked with DOT'S across the country, I see it too much waste.
 

moebar

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Dec 10, 2009
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The "cost" of gas is the same as Des Moines. They charge an average of .11 cents per gallon higher because they can. I have complained about this for years, but keep being told that it is what the market is. So I vote with my check book. I Never use a convenience store in Ames for anything unless it is an emergency. I would like to buy local , but don't like the idea that the ames merchants are taking advantage of the collage students.
 

moebar

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I have also been told that is Thompson Oil. But don't know if that is true, or a easy target.
 

jdoggivjc

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Sep 27, 2006
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Macomb, MI
Would always fill up when I was visiting family in Des Moines during my ISU years in the early 2000s. It was pretty consistent around 10 cents more in Ames when I was there. I have no good explanation as to why.

Sometime around 2000 the difference was even more than that. IIRC gas in Ames was $1.09 and in Ankeny just off I-35 behind the Chevy dealership it was $0.75. Those were the days.
 

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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Add me to the list of never buy gas in Ames, cheaper any direction you go. Oh and always fill up in Mason city before going into Minn. and fill up in Minn. before Wi. that state always has expensive gas.
 

pourcyne

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Feb 19, 2011
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Not only that, but Mountain Dew is anywhere from $9.60 to $12.80 a gallon.

I say we invade Mountaindewistan.
 

ribsnwhiskey

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Feb 6, 2009
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OMG gas is more expensive in Ankeny than Ames according to that link! I'm never spending money in Ankeny again!!!!!!
 

MeanDean

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FWIW - it's always more expensive in Iowa ****** than any of the other surrounding communities, including little bitty burgs with only one station/Caseys. Something about university towns, professors in sweaters with leather elbow patches, and lots of bicycles...
 

Cycsk

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FWIW - it's always more expensive in Iowa ****** than any of the other surrounding communities, including little bitty burgs with only one station/Caseys. Something about university towns, professors in sweaters with leather elbow patches, and lots of bicycles...


Seriously, isn't there some local road tax or environment tax that some cities add on to the price? I've always thought so, but now I'm wondering if that was just an urban legend.
 

Cpech56

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Aug 12, 2012
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If you want to complain about expensive gas then throw the state of Nebraska in the mix. Travel to Colorado pretty often and it's always 20-30 cents more per gallon in Nebraska than either Iowa or Colorado. As if I needed another reason to hate that state.
 

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