Memphis, Tennessee is known for its towering Mississippi River bluffs and legendary music scene. The largest city within the Volunteer State has risen to prominence as a mid-South trading center, battleground for the Civil War and Civil Rights movement, Beale Street blues, Graceland and The King. When discussing cheap gas, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Elvis Presley would agree that Memphis, Tennessee, is sweet music at the pump.
Access to critical Gulf Coast oil and gas infrastructure, alongside municipal gas tax legislation, combine to promulgate regional gas price variance at the Lower-48 United States.
Of course, the prolific offshore oil fields of Texas and Louisiana are a mere 400 miles downriver per the Mighty Mississippi. Meanwhile, Tax Foundation literature indicates that Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi carry meager gas taxes of 21.4, 21.8, and 18.8 cents per gallon, respectively. Further, the American Petroleum Institute recognizes Mississippi’s 18.8-cent rate as the eight lowest reading in the country.
The Memphis metropolitan area marks the perfect storm to purchase cheap gas. Indeed, Memphis gas prices average $2.457, as of August 31, 2009. This reading dramatically undercuts the U.S. Department of Energy National mark of $2.613 for the time frame.
The directives for saving gas money at Memph-Ten are more so a function of which areas to avoid, than of those to aggressively patronize. Of course, Tennessee motorists must recognize the fact that Chicagoans accustomed to ponying up $3 per gallon to fill the tank would openly dismiss Vols crying Uncle over $2.50 gasoline.
This guide will proceed to analyze the cheap gas equation from opposite ends of the spectrum. Our intent is to begin by exposing the most expensive areas to buy gas in all of Memphis, and close with viable solutions for locating cheap fuel.
We recognize the fact that the prices of all commodities fluctuate wildly from day-to-day. Still, the underlying demographics and geography that promulgate cheap gas today are set to remain relatively stable over time. The readings will translate into fuel that is “less expensive than the next guy,” going forward.
The term “cheap” is very much a relative idea.
Where NOT to Buy Gas in Memphis, Tennessee
Do not buy expensive gas at the I-240 exits.
I-240 is the southern half of the Memphis Beltway and is a notorious bottleneck from the East Side into Midtown. The roadway has been rebuilt, widened, and reconfigured throughout its history to accommodate the growth of the area. 240 is saddled with traffic as a consequence of the “Not in My Backyard” stance that rejected the blueprint to carry I-40 directly through town.
Obviously, the heavily trafficked highway carries increased demand for fuel, and all 240 junctions are prime real estate for hawking expensive gas.
For example, BP, Citgo, and Shell all line the perimeter of 240 at Humphreys – Walnut Grove, Quince – Ridgeway, and Airways Boulevard, respectively, to hawk expensive gas for $2.59. Meanwhile, the BP at 6121 Poplar Avenue, outside the 240 Belt is demanding $2.53 for regular unleaded.
Veteran Memphians often avoid driving 240 at all costs. These very same citizens should also avoid buying gas at 240 at all costs!
240 motorists are better served to take U.S. 72 West – Poplar Avenue inside the Belt and towards the city for buying gas. Prices will break the $2.45 floor at the cluster of stations occupying this very same strip of road that is synonymous with Memphis auto dealerships.
The Poplar Avenue Schnucks undersells the competition for $2.43 at the time of this writing.
Beyond Poplar, 240 drivers and all Memphis residents will head into Arkansas, Mississippi, or Graceland for cheap gas.
Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Memphis, Tennessee
Commuters into Memphis from Arkansas or Mississippi will stop and buy cheap gas prior to crossing the Mississippi and Tennessee State Line.
$2.35 is the going rate for West Memphis, Arkansas gasoline. The 3900 West Martin Luther King Pilot and 3400 Service Loop Road Flying J both offer ideal access to I-40 and I-55 to span the Mighty Mississippi and forge the Tennessee – Arkansas connection.
Meanwhile, the Goodman Road exit off I-55 into North Mississippi’s Horn Lake or South Haven is a viable enclave for bargain bin fuel. Exxon posts up at 1990 Goodman Road to deliver cheap gas at $2.32, and two separate Schnucks greet traffic at opposite approaches to the interstate to move 87-octane for $2.28.
Put on your blue suede shoes and hit the road to Graceland for cheap gas. U.S. 51 / Bellevue will transition into Elvis Presley Boulevard south of the I-55/240 exits. The road heads directly into Graceland and is lined with aggressive competition seeking to pitch low-priced fare.
Exxon, Phillips 66, and BP have all cordoned off Elvis Presley Boulevard with cheap $2.30 gas.
Thank you. Thank you, very much.
Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Memphis, Tennessee, Sources:
The City of Memphis, http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=1
