Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Washington DC

Washington, D.C. sits at the crossroads of a combustible matrix that will always lend support to higher gas prices. Obviously, the Nation's Capital is exclusive territory; and the seat of our Federal government is economically stable, to say the least.

Public sector jobs combined with the numerous universities of the metropolitan area manufacture a virtually recession-proof supply and demand labor market. In fact, the Baltimore-Washington area is home to 10 of the 20 wealthiest counties in the U.S. with populations over 65,000.

This unprecedented concentration of wealth will effectively drive up the prices of all goods and services. Gasoline prices are exacerbated by Washington's nonexistent port capacity relative to Baltimore and Hampton Roads; and the fact that the nearest oil refineries to the area are located at Yorktown, VA and Philadelphia. Certainly, heady transportation costs and the robust service economy of the region undergird Washington, D.C. gas prices.

Still, D.C. fuel costs are held in check by tax legislation that is favorable for motorists. The District of Columbia (38.4 cents / gallon), Maryland (41.9), and Virginia (38.0) feature some of the lowest gasoline taxes in the U.S. For the sake of comparison, Alaska's 26.4-cent per gallon tax, represents the most minimal figure.

The aforementioned variables contribute to average DC unleaded prices of $2.668, which are very much in-line with the U.S. Department of Energy National average of $2.671 per gallon.

This guide will explore viable options for Washingtonians to patronize and buy cheap gas. Certainly, our article accounts for the idea that driving to Kent Island in order to save 20 cents per gallon amounts to pure foolishness.

Where NOT to Buy Cheap Gas in Washington, D.C.

Searching for cheap gas west of Rock Creek Park at Northwest is a dummy mission. Rock Creek represents the East Coast Fall Line and is Washington's topographical, if not, socio-economic divider. All Northwest enclaves west, and immediately to the east of this landmark are identified as Washington's trendiest and most exclusive neighborhoods. Certainly, Northwest land space real estate arrives at a premium.

These high costs of doing business are passed onto the consumer at the pump. For example, the Key Bridge Exxon is ringing up 87-octane gasoline at $2.79, while the Cleveland Park Exxon at 3535 Connecticut Avenue is moving regular fuel at $2.87. DC service stations west of 14^th Street feature the most egregious prices in the DMV area.

Relief for Northwest motorists is to be located at Georgetown's Wisconsin Avenue and across the Potomac River into Northern Virginia. Arlington County Exxons located at Lee Highway, Wilson Boulevard, and Fort Myer Drive across the Key Bridge are underselling the DC competition at $2.61. Of course, Washington's notorious traffic congestion at Potomac River crossings may destroy any price efficiency gains from entering the Commonwealth of Virginia per time and energy wasted.

Consider The Lowest Price service station at 1576 Wisconsin Avenue NW or the Logan Circle BP at 1301 13^th Street NW for cheap gas. These filling stations are retailing gas for $2.70 and $2.75, respectively.

Do not cross the Chain Bridge into McLean, VA or traverse Western Avenue for Montgomery County, Maryland in search of cheap gas. These wealthy suburbs sell gas that is comparable, if not actually higher than the prevailing gas prices of Northwest.

Of course, Marylanders and Virginians must avoid buying gas at all I-95 / 495 Capital Beltway junctions. Interestingly, suburban gas prices always increase at these Beltway interchanges and at the DC border.

Montgomery County, MD, west of MD-97 Georgia Avenue, particularly the I-270 / MD 355 technology corridor represents a notorious zone of high-priced gasoline; and Prince Georges commuters will also find that New York Ave NE is a death trap for buying fuel.

Although New York Avenue barrels through the grittier sections of Washington, the thoroughfare is a de facto expressway of sorts per the L'Enfant street grid, with connections to the BW Parkway and the limited access U.S. 50 from South Dakota to the Bay Bridge.

In summary, motorists must avoid buying gas at Northwest, I-270, I-495, and New York Avenue. Yes, we recognize that these primary routes predominantly account for the totality of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Sigh.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Washington, D.C.

Gas prices drop dramatically heading east from 14^th Street NW.

The appropriately named Lowest Price chain of gasoline retailers often peddle the cheapest fuel within the District and are offering $2.57 87-octane at 1230 New York Avenue and 5420 New Hampshire Avenue NW.

The New York Avenue location at Fairview is particularly appealing, considering the fact that this service station competes with a higher priced BP located directly across the street. Remember, New York Avenue is typically a high priced corridor for fuel, due to the heavy volume of Route 50 Maryland commuters.

Prince Georges County offers a band of cheap gasoline inside the Beltway, prior to the DC - MD border. PG County affluence actually increases away from the District. Hence, these older "inside the Beltway" suburbs offer greater value in terms of property costs, which translate into cheap gas.

However, gas prices will spike at the Capital Beltway, particularly in PG, where I-95 / 495 doubles as a critical link for both local and East Coast Interstate Highway traffic.

For example, the inside the Beltway, Palmer Highway Exxon at MD 704 - MLK in Landover is retailing regular gasoline at $2.59, while the Hampton Mall Exxon at MD 214 and the Beltway (8901 Central Avenue) tacks on an additional 6 cents per gallon to charge $2.65.

Always avoid buying gas at all Beltway interchanges.

Montgomery County motorists will patronize Freestate service stations for cheap gas. Three locations, strategically located off Route 29 (MD 198 - 15411 Old Columbia Pike), MD 355 (510 Hungerford Drive - Rockville), and 11295 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton are hawking cheap gas at $2.55.

Besides the Beltway, I-270 and Rockville Pike, Georgia Avenue, and Route 29 are the most important vehicular arteries for traffic traversing Montgomery County. Logically, these three Freestate operations offer viable alternatives for large swaths of Montgomery residents.

Ironically, cheaper gas prices prevail at Roslyn, VA, which lay just across the Potomac from Georgetown. Perhaps the counter intuitive price action is due to the extraordinary wealth of surrounding Fairfax County and the fact that the relatively middling sections of Northern Virginia are dominated by I-95, 395, and 495. Heavily trafficked Interstate routes always promulgate heavy price mark ups.

Arlington's Glebe Road is a viable pocket for cheap gas in Virginia. Washingtonians may exit I-395 at Shirlington to VA 120, or connect to Glebe Road from I-66 and Fairfax Drive or VA 120. Glebe Road is a circumferential route around Arlington County that offers moderately priced gas throughout the length of its course. The Exxon at Glebe Road and Columbia Pike is selling regular gasoline for $2.64.

Of course, cheap gas outside of the Capital Beltway is found at Vienna and Fairfax, VA. Interestingly, Prince William filling stations often undercut the Fairfax County competition by 20 cents per gallon.

DC, Maryland, and Virginia style living is rarely described as cheap.

Where to buy Cheap Gas in Washington, D.C., Sources:

Kofi Bofah, Washington, D.C. Street Guide and Grid, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1800192/washington_dc_street_guide_and_grid.html?cat=16

The Official Web Site of Washington, D.C. Tourism, http://www.washington.org/

Washington, D.C. Gas Prices, http://www.washingtondcgasprices.com/

Automotive.com, Washington, D.C. Gas Prices, http://www.automotive.com/gas-prices/33/district-of-columbia/district-of-columbia/washington/index.html