Apr 24, 2008 1:29 pm US/Eastern
Drivers Find Relief From Soaring Gas Prices In NJ
Reporting
Jay Dow
RIDGEFIELD, N.J. (CBS) ―
With gas prices soaring to record highs, where can you find relief? More and more drivers are finding it in New Jersey, where the prices are reasonable compared to those right here in New York. But as CBS 2 informs us, even prices in the Garden State aren't impervious to change.
There's a reason why drivers flock to New Jersey every Thursday looking for the cheapest gas prices in the nation. The Garden State's combined state and federal taxes are 34 cents less than in New York.
"My commuting costs between tolls and gas each day to go down to medical school is about $25 a day. So this makes a huge difference," said Margit Kaufman of Teaneck.
With gas prices fluctuating on a daily basis, the New Jersey turnpike has become a sea of stability for bargain hunting drivers looking for a less painful fill up.
"We surveyed a hundred gas stations throughout New Jersey on Wednesday into Thursday. We take the statewide average of those gas prices and we allow our vendors to charge only three cents higher than the statewide average. The price gets locked in on Friday. And no matter what happens...the following Friday is the only time they get to change it," explained Joe Orlando, of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
"Tomorrow I know that prices are going to go up, skyrocket like 30 cents," said North Bergen resident Rohan Dasai.
The good news? On Friday, turnpike gas prices will increase only 22 cents, to $3.39 a gallon for regular, coming in well below the national average. It's a trend that is drawing an above average number of white and blue empire state license plates - to the Garden State.
"When we're in New Jersey we buy it here. We're not that stupid. We figured out it's cheaper," said Manhattan resident Mitch Stephens.
It turns out the allure of paying 30 to 60 cents less for a gallon of gas is too sweet to pass up and well worth the drive to New Jersey.
New Jersey Turnpike officials say because of their contract with oil companies, it's likely drivers will continue to find the best bargains on that major roadway, unless of course, lawmakers increase the gas tax.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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