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When it pays to gas up

South Bend Tribune -- Analysis finds pattern to timing of price increases.

According to an analysis of the past 13 months of gas prices in the South Bend region -- data compiled by GasBuddy.com, which tracks gas prices nationally -- there is a pattern to when gas prices climb and fall.

In the past year, the data shows, gas prices are most likely to increase in the middle of the week -- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -- and stay relatively stable on weekends.

As a general rule, gas prices go up much faster than they come down.

Of the 48 times gas prices increased in the last year, more than 80 percent of the time the increases lasted only 2 days before the price started to decline. Only three times -- once for a period of 4 days, once for 5 days -- did gas prices continue to climb more than 2 days in a row.

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Submitted Feb 04, 2012 By: OmeGas

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99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:6,252 Points:1,811,175 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 6:07:51 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse up fast, down slow
SavingInNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,139 Points:742,855 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 5:48:49 AM Ignore SavingInNC Report Abuse True
RonTheRunner77 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:343 Points:119,115 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:47:39 AM Ignore RonTheRunner77 Report Abuse I fill up when the tank is empty, never worried a ton about it might be 2 cents more per gallon if i fill up at the wrong time.
roadrunnin Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,316 Points:368,620 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:45:19 AM Ignore roadrunnin Report Abuse probably aren't going to see much lower prices any time soon
joekayak All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:756 Points:407,640 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:52:49 PM Ignore joekayak Report Abuse When gas is going up,fill your tank because the next time you gas up the price will be higher.
GT3186 Champion Author Salem Posts:1,260 Points:268,830 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:16:00 PM Ignore GT3186 Report Abuse I use my GasBuddy App to find the best prices when I want to buy gas; but other than that, I don't try to discover a price cycle during the week.
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,748 Points:2,054,720 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:47:31 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse Just play the BIG OIL LOTTERY. I play their game and gas up when the price is the lowest.
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,702 Points:1,470,790 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 6:48:30 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse A good Article.
BJWI Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,204 Points:374,340 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 5:00:38 PM Ignore BJWI Report Abuse Entering and checking prices on GasBuddy daily helps me save a few cents per gallon each time I fill-up. I also try to fill up when I need a 1/4 of a tank. Spending $15.00 or less to fill-up is a lot easier on my mind and wallet than the $55.00 or more it costs when I am almost empty.
KAR120CSII Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,941 Points:327,165 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:51:37 PM Ignore KAR120CSII Report Abuse Good post.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:1,687 Points:418,065 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:08:51 PM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse Yup, I watch prices and notice a similar thing.
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,425 Points:1,002,460 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:14:40 PM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse And with the current trend up it pays to keep the tanks mostly full.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,175 Points:425,540 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:02:54 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse interesting
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,175 Points:425,540 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:02:40 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse interesting
335d1 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:552 Points:405,625 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:51:31 AM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse A nice shout out to GasBuddy.
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,868 Points:467,775 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:37:27 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse Good stuff
lesandliz Sophomore Author New Orleans Posts:125 Points:143,935 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 9:04:20 AM Ignore lesandliz Report Abuse Duh
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,733 Points:276,405 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:59:57 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse This suggestion isn't news!
Mark8601 Veteran Author Bakersfield Posts:424 Points:125,145 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:36:08 AM Ignore Mark8601 Report Abuse Don't forget holidays!
mike1881 All-Star Author Fayetteville Posts:709 Points:259,855 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:13:07 AM Ignore mike1881 Report Abuse Of course. Gas always goes up quickly and takes forever to come down. I should be a reporter.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,239 Points:1,699,555 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:20:46 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Capt Obvious report.
GasPriceHelp4u All-Star Author Dayton Posts:854 Points:207,725 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:17:58 AM Ignore GasPriceHelp4u Report Abuse Lots of good consumer information as to when to gas up. Thanks for the people that took time to study and publish these results. I will definitely follow the advice. Gas Buddy is my real buddy though!!!
gawxnative All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:507 Points:185,430 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:04:06 AM Ignore gawxnative Report Abuse Same basic thing in Metro Atlanta, with Quik Trip, and Racetrac being the major drivers of price in most areas of Metro.
WalRus49 Champion Author Boston Posts:2,235 Points:506,815 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 5:36:25 AM Ignore WalRus49 Report Abuse More organized mayhem and pillage.........
kenji554 All-Star Author Charlotte Posts:926 Points:222,720 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 5:16:29 AM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse Interesting. I use Gas Buddy's favorite feature to find the cheapest price for diesel. I have saved as much as 20 cents per gallon by planning my fill ups accordingly. Having a 600 mile tank range helps too.
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:7,352 Points:1,563,605 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 3:10:31 AM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse Very interesting article which tells us some of the reasons the prices have gone up and down.
Road-Runner Champion Author Denver Posts:6,405 Points:1,774,340 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:12:36 AM Ignore Road-Runner Report Abuse So where's the competition? None! The market is fixed.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,514 Points:383,325 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 1:17:11 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse I see gas going up on Saturdays.
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,226 Points:1,332,360 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 1:03:20 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Weekend Greed hits Thursday afternoon... Thru Monday noontime
feldos Champion Author Florida Posts:2,640 Points:322,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:17:14 AM Ignore feldos Report Abuse I always try to fill up on Sunday or Monday unless prices are heading down
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,224 Points:1,259,010 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:02:38 AM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse oil want down gas want up
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,165 Points:1,418,820 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:56:05 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse This is interesting. Of course, this are still possibilities for mistakes. Prices in locations can still vary.
joekayak All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:756 Points:407,640 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:36:15 PM Ignore joekayak Report Abuse Good to know.
Throroughbred Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,031 Points:1,210,745 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:27:37 PM Ignore Throroughbred Report Abuse Most increases in the Cleveland, Ohio area take place on a Tuesday or Thursday. Our last was this past Thursday, 2-2-2012 and jumped 15 to 20 cents a gallon to 3.55. Today, Saturday, a lot went down about 15 cents and several never increased???? 3.26 and 3.39
livable1 Champion Author New York Posts:2,323 Points:283,265 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:16:22 PM Ignore livable1 Report Abuse just vlower the prices.
asog75 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:659 Points:171,195 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:11:05 PM Ignore asog75 Report Abuse I think that thursday is the favorite day
Fute Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:156 Points:274,565 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:52:25 PM Ignore Fute Report Abuse Patter here is up on Thursday or Friday for the weekend and then down on Mon, Tues, and Wednesday.
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:1,246 Points:340,805 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:49:13 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Interesting, but that does seem to be the pattern.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,104 Points:826,860 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:42:12 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse You really have to bend
amoshins All-Star Author Trenton Posts:947 Points:309,830 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:32:08 PM Ignore amoshins Report Abuse Interesting - so I'll gas up on Sun or Mon
Cashless Champion Author Akron Posts:1,683 Points:372,100 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:18:02 PM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse Gas almost always goes up on Thursday here in Akron, Ohio. I fill up just before.
djliberty All-Star Author Chicago Posts:964 Points:251,670 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:45:09 PM Ignore djliberty Report Abuse interesting stuff!
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:4,162 Points:917,430 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:34:45 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse You have a better chance of predicting the Lotto.
BobBG Veteran Author Albany Posts:447 Points:579,900 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:24:38 PM Ignore BobBG Report Abuse I always fill up when prices are rising because I assume that I will pay more the next time. When I see prices are falling I buy just enough for the next 3 or 4 days because it will be cheaper next time.
investmentdr Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,355 Points:1,101,985 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:12:07 PM Ignore investmentdr Report Abuse the mid week aspect of this article is gibberish. simply add $0.70 to price of gas found at wsj.com. if the pump price is less, fill up. if its more, wait.
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,496 Points:571,680 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:41:57 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse I try to keep my car full & a couple of extra gas cans when the prices are low. But when they are high I try not to drive too much & I don't always fill my tank if they look like they might being going down soon.
kujiyukiyumi Veteran Author Indiana Posts:335 Points:133,115 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:41:50 PM Ignore kujiyukiyumi Report Abuse need more reliable prediction for any rise in gas prices...than mere gut instinct.
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,458 Points:628,805 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:36:14 PM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Just stay home.
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:12,507 Points:1,738,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:19:04 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse I noticed this pattern several years ago (and posted it here): - If the Tuesday morning API Analysts Survey predicts a drop in one or more inventory categories, prices start increasing around 1030 (10:30 AM CDT/CST) Tuesday morning, shortly after the API survey hits the newswire; - If the Wednesday mid-day EIA (actual) Inventory Report shows a larger drop than the API Survey in one or more inventory categories and prices did not jump on Tuesday, prices jump Wednesday afternoon, almost immediately after the report is released; - If neither the API nor the EIA survey/report reported inventory decreases in one or more inventory categories and there has been no price-spike, but the price of crude oil has made a move higher, the prices jump on Thursday. This type of Edgeworth cycling in pricing hurts those consumers that typically "gas-up" on Pay-day, which for most Americans is Thursday or Friday. This pattern of weekly cycling also results in higher prices over the weekend, when most people take short trips and run most errands for the week. I saw a modified version of this while stationed in the south. In several cities, the Murphy USA stations would raise gas before the morning rush hour, hitting those motorists that 'gas-up" on their way to work. In some instances it was a daily occurrence, with the morning "spike" occurring around 0630 (6:30 AM). Don't you just love, Corporate America !
bl626 Veteran Author Toledo Posts:457 Points:146,370 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:08:30 PM Ignore bl626 Report Abuse I'll fill up when the price is low, even if it's just a 1/4 tank and even will fill up my 2 separate 5 gal jugs when it's below $3-3.20 to hold me on for the next "less expensive" cycle. Now let's get it straight, prices don't go up because of political instability, it is for pure speculation and pointing at fingers mainly!