Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Northwest Indiana

Northwest Indiana always serves as a respite for all things Chicago in terms of price. Of course, the beat goes on in terms of cheap gas at the Hoosier State. Although Northwest Indiana technically spans Lake Michigan deep into Jasper County, this article is more so considered with the heavily industrialized section of the region between Lake Station, Crown Point, and the Illinois border.

In terms of buying cheap gas, we must compare the prevailing rates at both Chicago and Indiana in order to thoughtfully accommodate motorists from both municipalities.

Chicago drivers are tormented by some of the highest gas prices in America. Excessive taxation is the main culprit, as Chicagoans must pony up 12.75-cent per gallon City taxes and 10.25% sales taxes on top of the already egregious Illinois duties. Illinois drivers are slapped with a 33.8-cent per gallon tax at the pump.

According to American Petroleum Institute data, Chicago gas taxes rival California, New York, and Connecticut for the highest in America, by any metric. The U.S. Department of Energy calculates Chicago gas prices to average $2.589 for regular grade, which trumps the $2.463 July 20, 2009 reading by a wide margin.

Certainly, Chicagoans will look towards the border as a viable escape from these egregious costs.

Although the State of Indiana also levies sales taxes upon a 29.7-cent per gallon tax of its own, these tallies are far more reasonable than the aforementioned Illinois allotment. Remember, the term "cheap gas" is always relative and actually translates into "less expensive than the next guy."

This article explores the cheap gas equation from two vantage points. We will highlight viable locations of affordable gasoline for both the Chicagoan and Indiana native. The following guide really does prove that beauty and "cheap" are in the eye of the beholder.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Northwest Indiana (Chicago Residents)

Chicagoans will navigate onto Indianapolis Boulevard, or what I refer to as "Gasoline Alley" for cheap gas. This section of Indianapolis Boulevard is marked by U.S. 12/20/41 and occupies a small corner of Hammond, IN, directly off the Chicago Skyway.

Although the Skyway dominates the landscape, I would recommend tracing U.S. 41 / South Shore Drive into the area. South Shore and Chicago Avenue are rarely congested and $3 tolls at the Skyway will eliminate your share of gains earned at the pump from driving into Indiana.

Indianapolis Boulevard is lined with several filling stations hawking cheap gas for $2.35. Shell, BP, Citgo, Mobil, Clark, and Luke's patrol this corridor between the border and Horseshoe Casino to appease Illinois drivers.

$2.35 is a Dream for Chicagoans accustomed to paying $3 for Windy City gasoline.

The Calumet Avenue Valero is even cheaper and posts $2.26 at 133^rd Street, between the Toll Road and 912.

Visitors into the area will note that the Horseshoe Casino, Toll Road / Skyway, Indianapolis Boulevard and every gas station in the vicinity is patrolled by legions of Land of Lincoln license plates and City of Chicago stickers.

Ironically, Indianapolis Boulevard and State Line Road gas prices at the Illinois border are the highest in all of Northwest Indiana. Only Chicagoans and Illinois registered drivers should consider buying gas immediately at these Hoosier State gateways.

Gas prices plunge deeper into Lake County.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Northwest Indiana (Indiana and Interstate Traffic)

Cheap gas is for sale in Gary, Indiana.

Yes, Gary is notorious for urban blight and decay, but motorists will not get shot simply for buying gasoline within this battered city. Gas prices break the $2.25 floor throughout G.I., but I must identify Broadway as the most convenient and relatively safe stretch of road to purchase fuel at the Steel City.

IN 53 / Broadway is the Main Drag of yesteryear and is ideally positioned to collect and distribute traffic from both the I-90 Toll Road and I-80 / 94 - Borman Expressway prior to the critical I-65 and (94) Lake Station junctions.

Citgo and Marathon are 1-2 miles south of downtown Gary and the Toll Road to undercut the neighboring competition at $2.25 for regular unleaded.

Motorists that remain terrified by the prospects of exiting the highway into Gary will prefer Highland, Indiana for cheap gas. Thorntons always moves affordable gas and flashes $2.17 at 8910 Indianapolis Boulevard, which is directly south of I-80/94.

Happy Trails.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Northwest Indiana, Sources:

Kofi Bofah, Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Chicago, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1829875/where_to_buy_cheap_gas_in_chicago.html?cat=27

The State of Indiana, http://www.in.gov/

Indiana Gas Prices, http://www.indianagasprices.com/