Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Cleveland, Ohio

Today, as of July 13, 2009, the United States Department of Energy calculates a $2.446 barometer for regular gas in Cleveland. This statistic compares favorably to the $2.528 nationwide mark and tracks the $2.432 estimate pertaining to the Greater Midwest.

The City of Cleveland shares a conflicting history with the oil and gas complex. The 1859 Drake Well established Oil Country, Pennsylvania as the focal point for U.S. energy, directly to the east of Cleveland. Kerosene was the refined product of choice at the time, and gasoline "waste" was simply dumped into the river.

Although Pennsylvania marked the source of Black Gold, Ohio transplant John D. Rockefeller remained steadfast to Cleveland and set up Standard Oil shop in Northeast Ohio as the world's foremost oil refiner.

Of course, the fortunes of Cleveland were permanently unwound by the perfect storm of industrial malady. Rockefeller promptly bolted for New York City in the aftermath of perceived slights, Pennsylvania wells ran dry, and big oil strikes were discovered in East Texas, at the very moment that Americans were hitting the road and clamoring for gasoline.

Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, once straddling the U.S. focal point for oil and refined petroleum products, have now accepted their respective numbers towards the back of the line, alongside the majority of the industrialized world.

Irrespective of this history, crude oil costs and tax policy still combine to account for 70% of the price at the pump.

Generally, Lower-48 prices radiate upwards from the prolific Gulf Coast. Per Ohio, the Buckeye State stands to benefit from Great Lakes and Ohio River transportation, and impressive Toledo - Detroit refining capacity. According to The Tax Foundation, Columbus does require Ohio motorists to pay one flat 28-cent per gallon tax, which matches the National averages.

Cuyahoga County gas prices demonstrate tremendous volatility per "wealth effect" geography. Ohioans must recognize that Cleveland gasoline fare typically spikes amidst the area's most exclusive neighborhoods. Of course, these ritzy enclaves are often oases for urban tranquility, surrounded by some of the most battered neighborhoods in all of North America.

Clevelanders must play the angles and combine cheap gas, location, and safety to mine true value at Northeast Ohio.

This guide will proceed to explore the cheap gas proposal from opposing ends of the spectrum. We will begin by exposing the most egregiously priced locales to buy Cleveland gasoline, and close with our presentation of viable alternatives to said establishments.

We do recognize that gas prices will fluctuate over time. However, the relationships outlined by this article will remain firm. "Cheap gas" always translates into "less expensive than the next guy."

Where NOT to Buy Gas in Cleveland

Do not buy gas at Downtown, University Circle, or West Side - Lakefront Cleveland, unless your vehicle is running on fumes. These neighborhoods represent Cleveland's most welcoming areas for commercial activity and leafy homesteads.

Interestingly, the I-90 / Shoreway and Ohio 2 barrel along the Lake Erie shore from the East Side into downtown and promulgate the garish East Cleveland landscape.

Still, University Circle at Case Western Reserve University, Euclid, Cedar, and Mayfield is a well-manicured pocket firmly affixed within the wastelands of the Cleveland ghetto.

Ironically, the very same hills overlooking University Circle that were at one point served as the palatial estate grounds for Rockefeller and his cadre of lieutenants have degenerated towards the boarded-up abandonment of East Side Cleveland.

Consequently, University Circle into Cleveland Heights is a death trap for expensive gas.

The Cedar Hill Sunoco is hawking high priced gas for $2.49 at 12404 Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights. Meanwhile, Marathon, Shell, Valero, and BP patrol U.S. 322 - Chester Avenue / Mayfield Road leading into University Circle with $2.40 fare.

The high priced beat goes on at the downtown I-90 interchanges.

British Petroleum and Shell ring Cleveland's downtown core at 2535 Superior Avenue and Carnegie Avenue near the stadiums to move $2.49 regular gas.

Downtown and University Circle drives will converge at East 55^th Street to save money on gas. For the sake of safety, gas is cheap prior to the dangerous St. Clair neighborhood along E. 55^th. I would not recommend that outsiders venture deep into St. Clair and East Cleveland, OH without the benefit of a local guide.

Clark peddles affordable fare for $2.25 at the corner of Euclid and East 55^th.

Cleveland veterans will also note the fact that gas prices always spike at Route 6 - Clifton Boulevard / Lake Road from the West Side into Sandusky along Lake Erie. Per Cleveland, gas prices will drop away from the Lakefront and prior to the I-90 junctions.

For example, Shell is flashing $2.39 at Clifton and 117^th, while BP undercuts the Lake Erie competition by 15 cents to peddle affordable regular unleaded for $2.24 at West 117^th and 90.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Cleveland

Cheap gas is for sale at Old Brooklyn in Cleveland.

The Old Brooklyn neighborhood is a working class section of the Rock and Roll City and is bisected by Pearl, State, and Broadview roads, while the I-480 Belt, Ridge Road, and Ohio 176 largely dominate the Old Brooklyn perimeter.

The confluence of U.S. 42 / Pearl Road, State, and Broadview at Old Brooklyn marks Cleveland's focal point for cheap gas and prices will break the $2.20 floor west of the Cuyahoga Valley.

Speedy (4475 Pearl Road), Gas U.S.A. (4126 Pearl Road), and Speedway (2202 Broadview Road), are all tucked away just off Ohio 176, I-71, and 480 to hawk cheap gas for $2.19.

Meanwhile, Clevelanders hitting the Ohio Turnpike and points west will buy inexpensive gas at State Route 57 in Lorain.

Clark, BP, and Marathon are posted up at Lorain's 57 Grove / 28^th Street "kink" to peddle 87-octane gasoline for $2.12 between Sheffield Lake, I-90, and the I-80 Ohio Turnpike exits in Elyria.

Happy Trails.