Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the American Southwest are identified with explosive growth. According to U.S. Census data, the city of Albuquerque has expanded from its official 2000 U.S. Census count of 448,607, into the 2006 estimate of 504,949, over the six-year period. These headline figures indicate solid population increases of 12.6% during the first-half of the decade.

Migrants into Albuquerque have been attracted to the dry heat, stable job market, open space, and relatively low cost of living that the State of New Mexico presents.

Of course, Albuquerque has emerged as a viable alternative to Southern California living. Although the city welcomes development, locals have banded together to abhor ramshackle sprawl, smog, crime, and above all else, California - style gasoline prices.

Today, Albuquerque, New Mexico gasoline fare averages $2.60 for one gallon of regular grade gas, which undercuts the $2.637 U.S. Department of Energy national averages for the week of August 17, 2009. Perhaps even more importantly, the locale dramatically undersells the $3.043 Los Angeles fare. Luckily for Golden State transplants, our prevailing figures prove that this Mountain West municipality is still a ways to go yet, from matching California's exorbitant costs.

Nationally, gas prices are influenced by one's geographic proximity to the energy resource rich Gulf of Mexico. Whereas, municipal tax policy, neighborhood traffic counts, and the wealth effect of transacting business within commercially vibrant zones serve to support gasoline costs at the local level.

Although Albuquerque experienced sharp growth paralleling the real estate boom of yester year, the locale remains insulated from the traffic congestion and high-priced celebrity marketplace of Western cities such as Scottsdale, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. New Mexico gas will always remain "cheap," in comparison to these glamour towns.

According to The Tax Foundation, Santa Fe levies a meager 18.8-cent tax upon all fuel sold within the borders of The Land of Enchantment. The American Petroleum Institute calculates these gas taxes to stand as the ninth lowest within the United States of America.

Per Southwest standards, the gas buying fundamentals prove that saving gas money at Albuquerque is more so a function of which expensive areas to avoid, than that of aggressively gaming particular options for cheap and affordable petro.

Indeed, this guide is set to analyze the gas price equation from opposing ends of the spectrum. We will begin by exposing the most expensive establishments for buying gas in Greater Albuquerque, and close with viable alternatives to said operations and solutions for cheap fuel.

We recognize the fact that commodity prices will fluctuate wildly over time. However, as we intimated per our California comparison, "cheap" is a relative term. Although West Coast motorists will jump for joy at the New Mexico pump, Houston, TX drivers will shun $2.60 as outrageous greed and gouging.

Today's taxation and socioeconomic patterns at Albuquerque, which effectively control the gas price action, will remain stable going forward. Cheap gas at present will emerge as tomorrow's service station that is still "less expensive than the next guy."

Where NOT to Buy Gas in Albuquerque

In typical Mountain West fashion, land values and the prices of all goods spike within the foothills leading into the elevated Rocky Mountain ridges. Albuquerque residents will recognize the Foothills North and South neighborhoods as the most exclusive areas in all of New Mexico. Tramway Boulevard, I-40, and the Sandias Mountains bound these ritzy sections on the East Side.

The prevailing gas prices at the Foothills state the obvious fact: luxury comes at a cost. Regular gasoline readings surge along both Tramway and Route 66 - Central into the I-40 exits and Sandias foothills. Prices hug the $2.59 - $2.66 band along these vital corridors - expensive for Albuquerque.

For example, Phillips 66 flashes $2.59 at Tramway and Lomas Boulevard NE, while the Chevron further south and across 40 at Central hawks expensive gas for $2.62. The intersection of Central and Tramway NE marks Albuquerque's focal point for high-priced fuel on the East Side.

Locals will discover that prices plunge precipitously one quick mile to the west into Northeast Heights and Juan Tabo Boulevard NE. The thoroughfare marks a pocket for off-brand gasoline retailers to operate. Premier, Gas and Save, and Serna Oil are positioned along Juan Tabo between Candelaria Road and Constitution to undercut the Tramway filling stations at $2.49.

Of course, Albuquerque geography also features the Rio Grande, which is noted as an "exotic" river per introducing water irrigation and greenery into the southwest desert. Certainly, property values and the cost of doing business will spike amidst the Rio Grande valley vegetation.

The West River Valley is especially harrowing in terms of buying expensive gas. Coors Road, Montano Road, and NM 423 Paseo Del Norte identify the major roadways and bridge crossings into the elite West River Valley enclave. The Coors - Irving Chevron hawks 87-octane for $2.67 at the time of this writing.

Gas prices will generally remain elevated at Coors Road NW, which marks the west side of the Rio Grande and funnels traffic onto I-40. Albuquerque residents will discover that Duke City Fueling mans the corner of Coors and Tucson Road to accommodate smart consumers at $2.49 for regular.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Albuquerque

Cheap gas is for sale at 4^th Street NW heading towards the sparsely populated North Valley. Interestingly, 4^th Street carried the Route 66 shield, prior to highway officials shifting the historic roadway to Central Avenue in Albuquerque.

Today, gas prices break the $2.50 floor at 4^th Street. Phillips 66 and Plateau front the intersection of 4^th and Montano to offer cheap gas for $2.47.

Meanwhile, Duke City Gas is the recognized brand per affordable gasoline throughout Greater Albuquerque. The 4000 Carlisle Boulevard NE shop rings the register at $2.49, and marks the most accessible location from all points. Albuquerque motorists will exit I-40 at Carlisle and I-25 at Montgomery Boulevard in order to patronize Duke City.

Duke City Gas also serves the West Side at 47^th and Central, and the previously articulated 3630 Coors Boulevard post.

Happy Trails.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sources:

The City of Albuquerque, http://www.cabq.gov/

The State of New Mexico, http://www.newmexico.gov/

Albuquerque Gas Prices, http://www.albuquerquegasprices.com/