$4.15 or $4.35?

On my way back through Cary this afternoon I stopped at Thornton's and topped off the motorcycle for $4.15/gallon. An even $10.00 for the day's ride into Chicago.

Imagine my shock when I got to Woodstock and passed the Marathon station at Route 47 and Lake Ave. - $4.35/gal.!!! And the same at the CITGO on Lake Avenue, where gas is often a few pennies cheaper.

I'm sure there must be some explanation, other than price-gouging, for the 20¢/gal. difference in price in 12 miles. For the time-being, let's use price-gouging.

Use http://www.gasbuddy.com/ to plan your gasoline purchases. Sure, you can't go too far out of your way to save 10¢/gal. but, if you knew you could save that dime a gallon by driving five blocks up Route 47, would you do it?

Last week Cal Skinner saw lower-priced gas in Belvidere. It's often cheaper in Rockford, if you are going that way, anyway. And the station in Marengo at Route 23 and Route 176 is often, but not always, lower than Woodstock.

Sometimes Woodstock gas prices are lower than in Crystal Lake; sometimes, not. If the ol' buggy is getting down toward E-flat on the gas gauge, cast an eye to gasbuddy.com and try to keep that $3-4-5 in your own pocket.