Buy Cheap Gas in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus fashions itself as the most cosmopolitan city within the State of Ohio. The capital city is the largest municipality within the Buckeye State per its 2006 U.S. Census estimates population of 733,203. Of course friendly fire will always engage Ohioans to determine the true leading city of the State amidst the Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati stalwarts. Still, all casual passer by will admit that Columbus, with The Ohio State University, and a diverse economy, represents the lone Ohio city that is relatively unscathed by the Rust Belt debacle.

Of course, Columbus residents must pay up at the pump for said vibrancy. Buckeyes will quickly discover that Columbus gas prices often rival those of the wealthy Cleveland – Lake Erie communities for the ignominious pole position for the most expensively priced gasoline within the State of Ohio.

Columbus drivers, alongside the State of Ohio at-large do benefit from tremendous oil refining capacity at Toledo, Lima, Kentucky, and Detroit, Michigan, which is a boon for lowering gas prices. As of August 31, 2009, the average cost per one gallon of regular gas equals $2.461 at Columbus, which significantly undercuts the United States Department of Energy $2.613 National mark for retail fare.

Columbus residents must learn to play the angles further at the local level to save money at the pump. Indeed, the diverse city also features extraordinary price disparity, which radiates from downtown into the University District.

This guide is concerned with addressing the cheap gas proposal from opposite ends of the spectrum. Our directives will begin by exposing the most outrageously priced filling stations to patronize, and close with an intelligent presentation of viable locations for cheap gas.

Certainly, committing the trek to Sidney, Ohio would be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

We do recognize the fact that gasoline prices will oscillate wildly from day to day. However, the prevailing trends and demographics that promulgate cheap gas today, effectively translates into fuel that is “less than expensive” than the next guy well into the future.

The term “cheap” is all very much relative.

Where NOT to Buy Gas at Columbus, Ohio

Do not buy expensive gas at The I-71 / North Freeway exits.

Gas prices spike at all 71 approaches between The I-70 / 71 Split downtown and points north towards the I-270 Outer Belt. The 71 Freeway permits entry into the University District and also serves as the prime connection between Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Importantly, the area carries the highest concentration of residents within Central Ohio, which coordinates with the strong demand and gas prices of the North Side 71 corridor.

The BP at 660 Neil Avenue hawks expensive gas for $2.51 at the time of this writing. This BP is positioned at the corner of Neil and Poplar, and facilitates quick access to Ohio State University, downtown, and 71 via the 670 Innerbelt. Across from downtown, the Sunoco at 74 West Mound Street and The 70/71 Split also hawks expensive unleaded gasoline for $2.49.

Meanwhile, U.S. 23 / Summit Street fare hugs the $2.55 price point at 11^th and 17^th streets between 71 and the University District. Exxon, Marathon, and Certified all man these corners to hawk expensive gas. Further, Shell tops all comers to hawk $2.59 fuel at the Lane – High Street intersection, which marks an important gateway onto The OSU campus.

Smart Downtown Columbus and University District consumers will note that cheap gas is for sale in The Bottoms, immediately west of downtown. Mobil undercuts the prevailing competition to serve motorists $2.39 87-octane fuel at 1043 West Broad Street (U.S. 40). This convenient location provides direct access to all major highways – including the Ohio 315 / Olentangy Freeway.

Still, the high-priced gasoline matrix continues due north along 71 into the suburbs. Ohioans will quickly acknowledge $2.55 as the key price point at all 71 interchanges and corresponding Route 23 (Indianola Avenue – High Street) junctions into Worthington.

Worthington, Ohio drivers must track Schrock Road and Worthington – Galena Road for cheap gas. Speedway, Marathon, and Mobil all front these routes traversing the outskirts of the Columbus metropolitan area to retail gasoline for $2.39.

These stores should be patronized by all commuters making the connection to the wealthier sections of Dublin – where the price of gas hovers between $2.50 and $2.60.

Where to Buy Cheap Gas in Columbus, Ohio

The price off all things Columbus falls west of the Scioto River into the older, yet lesser-developed communities at the West and Southwest sides of town. We must present the aforementioned 1043 West Broad Street Mobil at Franklinton as the most convenient destination for cheap gas. Mobil peddles regular gasoline for $2.39 in The Bottoms at the time of this writing.

Ohioans will cruise Route 40 – Broad west of downtown, or exit onto the National Road from 315 to enter the area. Again, this ideal site features access to all major roads in Central Ohio.

The I-70 / Wilson Road junction further undercuts all Franklin County competition. Marathon, Mobil, Pilot, and Speedway have cordoned off the Wilson Road strip to reward patient consumers with $2.33 gas. The Wilson Road exits are situated between the I-270 and 670 belts at West Columbus off I-70.

Northeast Columbus, Gahanna, and Minerva Park drivers that may balk at grappling with Columbus traffic to drive across town to purchase cheap gas will navigate towards the 270 Outerbelt and Morse Road. BP, Speedway, Shell, and Marathon all front the 270 – Morse Road interchange to peddle affordable fuel for $2.37.

Happy Trails.