Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesotans do enjoy gas prices that are typically lower than the prevailing nationwide figures. As of July 13, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy targets the $2.528 calculation as the average mark across the country.

Interestingly, Minnesota regular grade gas retails for $2.352 and undercuts resource rich Texas at $2.360. Gas Buddy flashes a $2.306 reading for the Twin Cities, indicating that Minneapolis drivers remain in the cheap gas fold.

Minnesota residents must recognize that $3 per gallon Chicago, New York City, and California drivers would angrily dismiss the idea of any Land of 10,000 Lakes resident crying Uncle over $2.30 87-octane.

The Lower-48 interstate gas price equation is set per one's geographic proximity to critical Gulf Coast oil infrastructure and municipal State House tax policy.

Obviously, the State of Minnesota is Leagues away from the Gulf Coast. However, Mississippi River transportation, along with relatively low property costs, and fair gasoline taxes effectively keep prices in check.

According to The Tax Foundation, St. Paul legislation calls for a 25.6-cent per gallon tax upon all retail gasoline sold within the state of Minnesota. The combined State and Federal excise bill of 44 cents in the Twin Cities is one shade beneath the national 47-cent per gallon tax average.

Buying cheap gas in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities arrives as more so a function of which areas to avoid, than of the requisite pockets of affordability to aggressively locate.

Logically, our mission will begin by outlining the most expensive locales to buy cheap gas in relation to Minneapolis - St. Paul, and close with viable alternatives to said stations. Still, I must telegraph the fact that this article is more so geared towards the Hennepin County half of the Twin Cities.

Although we recognize that gas prices will swing wildly, certain relationships will hold over time. Hence, particular areas will always remain relatively "cheap" or "expensive," locally.

Where NOT to Buy Gas in Minneapolis

Avoid buying expensive gas between Downtown Minneapolis and the segment of I-494 that demarcates Edina from Bloomington.

Minnesota consumers must recognize these southwesterly tracts of land to include Uptown - Lake Street, Lake Calhoun, St. Louis Park, Edina, and Bloomington. The mandate profiles the most exclusive areas of the Twin Cities, where prices hug the $2.40 mark.

The Edina - Bloomington junctions at 494 combine access to commercial service drives, tony suburbs, Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport, Mall of America, and outlying corporate office space adjacent to this heavily trafficked route.

Shell and Mobil are hawking expensive $2.45 regular unleaded gasoline at 5101 Edina Industrial Boulevard (MN 100 / Normandale) and France Avenue at 494.

These prices are nearly comical, considering the fact that retail gas plunges by at least 10 cents east of 35W towards the Mall of America exits. BP, Super America, and Sinclair all compete at Lyndale, Nicollet, and Portland Avenue in Richfield and Bloomington.

Take heed, gas is cheaper north of 494 in Richfield. Super America, Sinclair, and Marathon are all flashing $2.32 for regular unleaded in Richfield, while Holiday and BP are peddling fuel for $2.39 directly across the highway in Bloomington.

Minneapolis drivers must recognize that $2.39 marks today's upper band of gas prices in the Twin Cities.

Multiple service stations hold the $2.39 line between Edina, St. Louis Park, and downtown. Hennepin County 7, Excelsior, and Minnetonka Boulevard into Minneapolis' Lake Street gateway are flash points for expensive $2.39 gas.

The action is logical, because gleaming condominium towers, pristine lake recreation, and heavy commercial activity at Lake, Lyndale, and Hennepin into downtown characterize these areas.

Two separate Mobil filling stations are offering $2.39 87-octane at 5925 Excelsior Boulevard and 7119 Minnetonka Boulevard in St. Louis Park.

I must advise Hennepin County motorists to shift their commutes north and cross I-394 via Route 169 or MN 100 into Plymouth or Golden Valley for the Highway 55 / Olson Memorial Highway exits.

Gas prices plunge to $2.29 at 55 and will continue to fall heading north. In fact, $2.22 marks the obvious price target at the 169 interchanges between New Hope and Plymouth.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Minneapolis

I-94 at North Minneapolis is the most convenient locale for cheap gas in the Twin Cities. Drivers will exit the freeway at Hennepin County 81 / Broadway and head east to Washington for cheap gas.

Holiday and EZ Stop Stores both overlook 94 at 2322 and 1624 Washington Avenue North respectively, with cheap $2.26 regular unleaded gasoline.

The area is a quick jaunt from downtown and this open stretch of 94 is lightly traveled relative to the busy east-west link between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Gas prices do track the $2.25 - $2.30 band into Northeast Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and Maple Grove. However, I cannot present any other Minneapolis location that combines cheap gas, prime access to downtown, and feeder ramps to a lightly trafficked portion of 94 all within one standard package.

Happy Trails.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sources:

The State of Minnesota, http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NorthStar

Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association, http://www.minneapolis.org/

Minneapolis - Twin Cities Gas Prices, http://www.twincitiesgasprices.com/Minneapolis/index.aspx