Where to Buy Cheap Gas on Staten Island, New York

Welcome to Staten Island, New York City's forgotten borough. Staten Island's (Richmond County) 2008 U.S. Census estimated population of 487,407 persons is a far cry from that of Brooklyn (2,556,598), Queens (2,293,007), Manhattan (1,634,795), and The Bronx (1,391,903).

Geographically, the island shares a closer relationship and more extensive riverfront with Northern New Jersey, than New York State proper. Indeed, Staten Island was largely dismissed as complete wilderness, prior to the 1964 completion of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The towering complex was built to span New York Bay to Brooklyn, which led to explosive Staten Island growth.

Local gas prices and the general Staten Island economy at-large are coordinated per proximity to the I-278 / Staten Island Expressway connection between New Jersey, Staten Island, and Brooklyn via the Goethals and Verrazano.

Staten Island gas prices overall, rival Queens to offer the cheapest petroleum in New York City. The island's relatively minimal population density and prime location adjacent to sweeping refinery facilities at Linden and Perth Amboy, NJ effectively contain fuel costs from skyrocketing into the stratosphere per Big Apple standards.

According to the U.S. Department of energy, New York City gasoline prices converged at $2.714 as of June 22, 2009. The mark is one shade higher than the $2.691 National average. Still, Big Apple fuel undercuts Chicago and all major West Coast price points that trend towards $3.

Prices within the Tri-State area are largely influenced by the availability of North Sea and Middle East crude port side, prevailing gas tax regimes at Albany, New York City, and Trenton, and finally, service station access to the Lower Manhattan epicenter.

This guide is concerned with presenting viable options for buying cheap gas at Staten Island, NY. We will proceed to explore the subject matter from two disparate angles. First, we shall articulate the most expensive areas to purchase gas at Richmond County, before delivering the proper alternatives that smart consumers will patronize.

Where NOT to buy cheap gas on Staten Island, New York

Do not buy gas at the I-278 / Staten Island Expressway, unless your vehicle is running on fumes. The 278 junctions, particularly the Hylan Boulevard approach, represent the tight band of expensive Staten Island gas.

Said sentiment is fitting per the "one-way out" Staten Island roadway infrastructure. 278 represents the lone vehicular arterial connecting New Jersey and points south with the outer boroughs and Eastern Long Island via the Island of Staten. The 440 Outerbridge Crossing and Bayonne Bridge feature limited capacity and the Perth Amboy to Bayonne connection is of far less importance to Eastern seaboard travelers.

BP and Shell are peddling expensive $2.95 gas at Hyland Boulevard - Old Town, prior to the 278 interchanges. The price action downshifts along this principal route the further that one navigates to the southwesterly reaches of Staten and away from the SIE.

Staten Island motorists must exit 278 and cut north to trace Victory Boulevard and Bay Street into the old-line commercial centers of the North Shore.

Gas is cheap at Stapleton, Tompkinsville, and St. George.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas on Staten Island, New York

The Staten Island Expressway and Verrazano Bridge have adversely affected the North Shore. Traffic is directed to cut a swath across the island, rather than disembarking at these historical communities per the Staten Island Ferry. Cheap gas has arrived part and parcel to this section of Staten Island in step with the shifting dynamics.

Affordable gas is retailing for $2.83 at Forest Avenue, Victory Boulevard, and Bay Street at the time of this writing. The Staten Island Mobil at 231 Bay Street matches this mark and peddles regular unleaded at $2.83.

The location is tucked away from the confluence of Victory Boulevard and Bay Street at Tompkinsville, which is Staten Island's focal point for cheap gas.

New Yorkers must not cross the Kills into New Jersey simply to fill up.

Yes, Jersey gas is 30-40 cents cheaper, which translates into $6 savings at the pump. However, the full-service Garden State tips plus $8 Port Authority tolls at the Goethals, Bayonne, and Outerbridge crossings upon the return trip to NYC will reward such foolishness with $2 losses, at minimum.

Smart Knicks will remember to stop and buy cheap gas in New Jersey upon business or pleasure travel that had been previously coordinated, irrespective of gas prices.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas on Staten Island, Sources:

New York City, http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/?front_door=true

Staten Island, http://statenislandusa.com/

Staten Island Gas Prices, http://www.newyorkgasprices.com/Staten_Island/index.aspx