It's a Team's Life
Cheaper is not always less Expensive
International Fuel Tax Association, INC (IFTA)
These fuel prices and IFTA amounts were obtained on January 30, 2015
Buying fuel for the cheapest price is not as easy as reading the fuel price on the marque. Knowing how much tax is being collected on each gallon of fuel dictates where Bob and I buy our fuel.
When I randomly picked states and fuel stops all of my examples show that the higher fuel price was in reality the cheapest place to buy fuel after taxes. Oregon is an interesting example as there are times when it is actually cheaper to buy fuel in Oregon then in the adjoining states.
In past years I have printed out the IFTA fuel chart and taped this to the front page of our map. Now I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of the taxes as well as miles run in each of the states.
Here are a few examples comparing adjoining states using TA/Petro Prices:
Missouri
Illinois
Foristell, MO Pump Fuel Price
$2.12
Mount Vernon, IL Pump Fuel Price
$2.35
Less IFTA Tax
$0.17
$0.43
Total fuel only
$1.95
$1.92
Arizona
California
Tonopah, AZ Pump Fuel Price
$2.35
Coachella, CA Pump Fuel Price
$2.37
Less IFTA Tax
$0.26
$0.45
Total Fuel Only
$2.09
$1.93
California
Oregon
Redding, CA Pump Fuel Price
$2.37
Phoenix, OR Pump Fuel Price
$2.04
Less IFTA Tax
$0.45
Oregon does not have a fuel tax
Total Fuel Only
$1.92
$2.04
Georgia
Florida
Kingsland, GA
$2.45
Jacksonville, FL
$2.46
Less IFTA Tax
$0.18
$0.33
Total Fuel Only
$2.28
$2.13