Gasoline prices have retreated significantly within the last 10 days in the New River Valley. Convenience and brand often contribute to pricing, but not always.
 
Area prices: 'low and high' for 'regular', both at the I-81/Rt. 460 interchange, Christiansburg: $2.85 for BP; $2.99 for Exxon. That's the range within which all area stations fall in an approximate 10-mile radius. Nearby, Shell sells for $2.89.
 
From North Franklin/Rt. 460 interchange and nearby Christiansburg stations, to 1-81 ramps/460 ramps, to Riner, prices are similar. But one can save some money if the better pricing is close enough to take advantage of.

Most stations sell 'near-gas' - 10% ethanol/gasoline mixtures.  Some of the newest 'cross-over' vehicles can use up to 100% ethanol.
 
Owners of vehicles that use high-octane dread the day of more ethanol being added; they can only hope that the alcohol mixture will be strong enough to retain the 93 octane rating. One station manager said that "ethanol burns cleaner, but up to 10% less miles per gallon can be lost in some vehicles."
 
A dime per more per grade of octane-level is the norm. However, at one station, only two cents separated mid-grade from high-octane. At another, only a nickel separated 'regular' from 'mid-grade.'
 
Apparently, some suppliers have more inventory of certain grades, and/or, the demand is lower for certain grades. Mid-grade gas is very rarely recommended for most vehicles, while 'regular' dominates over 75% of the market. 'High-Octane' is often required by many manufacturers; owners need to read their owner's manuals to avoid engine damage from using gasoline that is too low in octane.
 
Brand-name-specific gasoline is suggested by many manufacturers, so that owners might use products that have the best additives, such as fuel-injector cleaner. It might pay to spend more now, to avoid possible expensive repairs in the future. Some lesser-known brands advertise engine-saving additives.
 
Other prices: Christiansburg: Citgo: $2.94, I-81/Rt. 8 interchange.  Other: $2.94; Marathon, Cambria St.: $2.89; North Franklin/460: Gas-N-Go,$2.91, Kroger: $2.92; BP $2.89.
 
Riner, Rt. 8: Riner Food Center: $2.89; Eagle Express BP $2.93.
 
It is expected that, with the current rebound in the world economic scene, that prices may rise, soon. Lower demand has been the driving force to lower prices, as well as speculators' assumptions that the world's demands would lower, as the USA's has. However, OPEC, supplier of well over 50% of the world's fuel, has promised to cut production if crude-oil prices retreat below $80 per barrel.
 
The stability of the world's economic conditions will be reflected in gasoline prices, and the lack of certainty of stability abounds. Most experts have stated that it would be a slow, unstable growth in the world's economic growth. History-making rises in markets in the USA in the last sessions,  followed by  'The Land of the Rising Sun,' Japan, this morning, and today's USA efforts to shore-up banks to loosen credit, will certainly help the overall conditions. 
 
However, buyers beware. Fill-up soon . . . there's no 'crunch' right now, prices aren't bad, and it's not good to run any vehicle that is five or more years old on a 'low' tank. Tank sediment and other 'dregs' will clog your fuel filter. Tanks 'sweat' when low on gas, dripping water into the gas, and rust may invade tank-walls, requiring replacement.

Photos by Larry Middleton, Tim W. Jackson, David Grimes and Ron Walton