Cheap Gas in San Jose - Silicon Valley, California

San Jose and the eponymously referenced Silicon Valley are synonymous with technology. Silicon Valley radiates from San Jose towards San Francisco along the peninsula at Northern California. The area is identified with technological breakthroughs allowing the masses to communicate internationally, trade stock online, download pictures, and install thousands of songs onto miniature recording devices. Despite the astronomical array of technological advancement, Silicon Valley remains unable to engineer viable means to manage gasoline prices.

The State of California represents the perfect storm for outrageously priced fuel. Interstate gas price variance is set per the distance to Gulf Coast energy infrastructure and tax policy at the municipal level. The Golden State does feature access to large reserves of crude oil and sweeping refinery capacity of its very own right. However, the California oil and gas industry cannot hope to sate petroleum demand at the most heavily populated state in the Union, alone.

The 1,500 to 2,000-mile distance to Texas-Louisiana oil fields and refining capacity, which requires days, if not weeks to reach the Left Coast market, exacerbates supply disruptions. Of course, California requires a particular blend of gasoline that must meet tougher environmental standards than the nation at-large. Typical oil refineries must be recalibrated to process this expensive grade.

Irrespective of the enormous geographical divide towards the Gulf, spectacular population growth, and reformulated gasoline blend requirements; California drivers are slapped with the highest gas taxes within the United States of America.

The Tax Foundation indicates that Sacramento levies a ridiculous 39.9-cent levy per gallon of gasoline sold within the state. Additionally, consumers are slapped with sales taxes at the register, which is unusual for motor fuel purchases. The American Petroleum Institute calculates a total State and Federal tax bill of 64.5 cents per gallon for California - the highest in the country.

Per San Jose, Silicon Valley residents have long grown accustomed to egregious costs of living. The foregone real estate boom proved that 6-figure family household incomes are par for the course and translate into middling standards of living within Northern California. Despairingly, this guide proves that the trend continues at the pump, and Californians rarely get price relief for living in Paradise.

We will proceed to analyze the cheap gas proposal from opposite ends of the spectrum. This article will now expose the most expensive areas to buy gas in San Jose / Silicon Valley, and close with a viable presentation of alternatives to said locations. "Cheap" gas in California actually defines product that is simply "less expensive than the next guy."

We do recognize that gas prices will fluctuate wildly from day to day. Still, the demographic and commercial patterns that foster "cheap" gas today are stable over time, and will translate into readings that are relatively affordable well into the future.

Where NOT to Buy Gas in San Jose - Silicon Valley, California

Do not buy gas at any city that is directly associated with technology. Yes, we acknowledge the fact that San Jose, Silicon Valley, and Northern California are catch phrases for all things tech.

Sigh.

Specifically avoid buying expensive gas at Palo Alto (Stanford University), Cupertino (Apple Computer), Mountain View (Google), Santa Clara (Intel), and Menlo Park (Venture Capital). High technology headquarters and campuses dominate these particular locales. Interestingly, expensive gas is also the order of the day at these haunts for the "Who's Who" of freewheeling innovation.

CA 82 - El Camino Real into Palo Alto and Stanford University is of particular significance. Shell and Valero are both posted up at opposite ends of the campus at the sprawling thoroughfare to hawk expensive gasoline for $3.21 and $3.19, respectively. According to gasbuddy.com, these two filling stations compete for the crown as the highest priced establishments in all of Northern California.

The high priced beat goes on deeper into Silicon Valley at Mountain View, California. The well-manicured enclave-identified with the Google campus, flashes expensive fare at Middlefield Road. Middlefield is a tree-lined drive through The Valley, paralleling The 101 - Bayshore Freeway. Remember, gas prices always spike at freeway entrances throughout California and Middlefield is no exception.

Chevron and Valero are peddling regular unleaded gasoline for $3.15 at Shoreline-Middlefield and Moffett-Middlefield in Mountain View. These locations do provide quick access to The 101 Freeway and are prime real estate for moving expensive gas.

Per San Jose, gas prices also spike at all freeway entrances. The 101, 280, 680, and 880 represent heavily trafficked conduits for motorists into and out of San Jose from all points California. For example, Chevron slams drivers with $3.19 87-octane at 790 Montague Expressway, immediately prior to The 880 exits.

Yes, freeways barrel through nearly every nook and cranny of San Jose city proper.

Sigh.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in San Jose - Silicon Valley, California

The West Coast cheap gas playbook often degenerates towards patronizing your nearest ARCO.

Although Costco does offer low-priced fare for $2.76 and $2.86 in Santa Clara and San Jose, I would not advise that drivers take down $50 memberships with the sole intent of saving gas money. Besides Costco, ARCO is the Bay Area's most consistent purveyor of cheap gas.

ARCO boasts of a strong presence at Sunnyvale. Three separate establishments patrol Sunnyvale Saratoga - Remington, W. Fremont - Warner, and S. Wolfe - E. Homestead at the $2.93 price point to serve commuters navigating throughout The Peninsula.

Per the City of San Jose, ARCO represents the best combination of price and value at 697 N. 4^th Street. The address marks the intersection of 4^th and Taylor at the Jackson - Taylor neighborhood. This store does provide convenient access to The 87, 101, and, 880 freeways via Taylor and 1^st Streets.

Happy Trails.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in San Jose - Silicon Valley, California, Sources:

The State of California, http://www.ca.gov/

San Jose, http://www.sanjoseca.gov/

San Jose Gas Prices, http://www.sanjosegasprices.com/

Silicon Valley, http://www.siliconvalley.com/