Historically, Boston residents are accustomed to high costs of living. The inflationary price action remains a function of the tight zoning practices, limited land space, and relative distance and difficulty of transporting particular goods into New England. In terms of gas prices, Boston drivers do pay prices that are on par for the region and National averages.
As of July 6, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy calculates a $2.612 figure for the average cost per one gallon of regular grade gasoline. The Department further breaks down this figure into regional, state, and city compartments. Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and New England are all flashing prices within the $2.605 – $2.651 range.
Boston prices remain perfectly in-line with the Nationwide gas price equation.
Interstate price disparities at the pump are controlled by one’s distance to critical Gulf Coast energy infrastructure and State House tax policy. The Tax Foundation pegs Massachusetts gas taxes at 23.5 cents per gallon, which is one shade lower than the average 28.6-cent State excise duty.
Still, East Coast prices generally remain elevated over the South and Midwest (except Chicago), due to the 1,500-mile distance to the Gulf, crushing population density, and the sheer concentration of wealth at the megalopolis.
Furthermore, local variance from block to block remains a function of the prevailing property costs and the access to heavily trafficked roadways into the area. Boston consumers must learn to play the angles for cheap gas.
The proposal begins by identifying the areas to avoid at all costs for buying gasoline. In order to do so, we reconcile the more exclusive enclaves of this metropolitan area, alongside the most notoriously congested thoroughfares to locate the prime candidates for expensive gas.
Our mission is complete as we arrive at viable alternatives to the Commonwealth’s high rent and gas districts. Buying cheap gas in Boston is definitely a function of both urgency and common sense.
Where NOT to Buy Gas in Boston
Do not buy gas at South Boston, I-90 / Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 9, or any leafy suburb associated with the Kennedy Dynasty.
Specifically, gas prices spike downtown and west into Brookline, Newton, and Natick. These suburbs fall roughly along the Mass Pike right-of-way and Route 9.
The Pike doubles as Greater Boston’s most wretched bottleneck – connecting residents to downtown white collar employment, tech outposts at 128 (I-95), and Berkshire getaways. Limited and funky junctions, that collect tolls and dump traffic into tight quarters further exacerbates Pike congestion, and effectively drives up gas buying demand along the route.
Meanwhile, Route 9 is the area’s Main Street from downtown and empties out into office development and suburban sprawl at the 128 exits. All Central Boston to Metro West corridors mark the perfect storm for expensive gas.
The high-priced gas action begins in South Boston, within the shadows of the Big Dig mayhem into downtown, and transitions west. Shell is moving expensive gas for $2.75 at 302 West Broadway, and Gulf flashes $2.65 at Broadway and A.
The beat goes on into Brookline, Massachusetts, and the birthplace of the Kennedy Dynasty. Mobil is posted up at both Harvard Street and Route 9 with $2.69 regular grade offerings. Brighton, MA even enters the fray with US-1 Petroleum’s $2.69 at Washington Street.
Interestingly, the $2.65 – $2.70 price point holds into Newton and deeper into Metro West towards Framingham. Gas prices spike at all Mass Pike and 128 junctions.
The 128 (I-95) Mobil operates at a rest stop off the southbound lanes of this highway following the I-90 / Massachusetts Turnpike interchange. Of course, East Coast travelers and Boston area commuters must pay up for such convenience, and are slapped with a $2.75 per gallon rate at the register.
Further north, Shell is peddling expensive gas for $2.89 at the 128 (I-95) / Totten Pond interchange in Waltham.
Outside of Waltham, The Pike serves as the ultimate barrier for expensive gas throughout Greater Boston. Prices always surge at I-90 and remain elevated into Route 9. Interestingly, gas typically plunges by 10 cents or more north of the Charles River.
For example, Sunoco is positioned at 170 Galen Street in Watertown, with $2.59 fare. Meanwhile, Hess undercuts the competition directly across the Charles for $2.49 at Route 20 / Main Street.
Further west, an egregious 27-cent spread exists between Watertown and Washington Street, which serves as a service drive for The Pike in Newton. Citgo is peddling cheap gas for $2.38 at 493 Pleasant Street in Watertown, while $2.65 marks the going rate for retail gas at Newton’s Washington Street.
Bostonians must avoid buying gas in the tight band between South Boston and I-90, which transitions into all areas within Route 9 and The Pike towards Metro West. Smart consumers will abandon The Pike for U.S. 20 / Main Street and MA 16 east of Waltham to save money on gas.
128 commuters will discover that gas prices plunge at intersections away from this ring road. Always expect expensive gas to proliferate at all west suburban service stations immediately adjacent to 128 (I-95) junctions.
Brookline residents may always dip south into West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain for cheap gas.
Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Boston
Per Boston proper, cheap gas is for sale in West Roxbury’s Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. The area is served by Washington Street, which is an important radial bisecting the Mass Pike and I-93 / Artery right of ways southwest of downtown.
Boston’s pocket of cheap gas begins at Jamaica Plain and is characterized by several off-brand wholesalers hawking affordable gasoline from $2.45 – $2.50.
Hatoff’s marks the northern reaches of this zone and offers one gallon of 87-octane for $2.49 at 3440 Washington Street. Currently, Hess and Citgo are both selling $2.45 fuel in West Roxbury at 1779 Centre Street and 167 Spring Street, respectively.
Of course, we must recognize the fact that legions of Bostonians will balk at the proposal of hightailing across Greater Boston to save $10 at the pump.
Hence, we will identify the North Shore suburbs from Chelsea to Peabody as yet another alternative for affordable gas. Cheap gasoline prevails across the Mystic River into Chelsea and hugs the $2.35 – $2.40 spectrum deep into Peabody.
Again, an eclectic mix of off-brand wholesalers dominates the North Shore price matrix. Smart consumers will trace Route 1 into the area from downtown and the North End.
Pezzi Service Center is moving cash only, $2.31 regular grade unleaded at 571 Washington Avenue in Chelsea. Motorists will exit Route 1 at MA 16 / Revere Beach Parkway, turn left off the ramp, and trace Garfield Avenue heading north into the Washington transition.
Cheap gas is the order of the day along the U.S. 1 / Northeast Expressway – Broadway corridor into the working class sections of Chelsea, Revere, Saugus, and Peabody.
New Englanders will find the Peabody stretch of Route 1 (Newbury Street) between the I-95 and 128 exits to be of particular convenience. Today, Gulf, Best, and Global are all holding the $2.39 mark at the convergence of Route 1, I-95, and 128 into Greater Boston from points north.
Happy Trails.
Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Boston, Massachusetts, Sources:
The City of Boston, http://www.cityofboston.gov/
Gas Buddy, Boston Gas Prices, http://www.bostongasprices.com/
Automotive.com, Boston Gas Prices, http://www.automotive.com/gas-prices/33/massachusetts/suffolk/boston/index.html
