When was the last time gas was normally under $1?

[dbt1949]

I'm thinking around Bush #1's war or was it Bush #2's

[Jaymann]

1988

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I have a clear memory of gas being $0.89 at the local Texaco station when I was in late elementary/early middle school (so 1988 - 1991).

[Smoove_B]

I'm pretty sure I remember paying $0.99 at some point in 1999. I know this because it was the closest I've ever lived to my job and for like $7 of gas I was able to go for like 2 weeks between filling up.

[gilraen]

I'm pretty sure I remember paying $0.99 at some point in 1999.

Yep, I remember that too.

[malchior]

I'm pretty sure I remember paying $0.99 at some point in 1999. I know this because it was the closest I've ever lived to my job and for like $7 of gas I was able to go for like 2 weeks between filling up.

Agree - I remember that as well. You have to factor in that NJ at the time still had super low gas taxes.

[Redfive]

Before 9/11

[stessier]

I'm pretty sure I remember paying $0.99 at some point in 1999.

Yep, I remember that too.

Thirded. I was driving a Geo Metro and filled up for under $10 and could go 600 miles.

[disarm]

Lowest I can remember is 79 cents in southern Indiana around 1996, and it was probably over a dollar for good within a couple years. I miss being able to fill an empty tank for $10

[Kraken]

I don't remember when it was -- mid to late 70s, maybe -- but I do remember when gas stations had to get new signs to accommodate three-digit prices. Some stations switched to liter pricing to avoid upgrading their pumps. Some repurposed the tenths-of-a-cent digit (which is just stupid anyway).

[em2nought]

I don't think I've ever bought gas for under $1, but I was "away" from 1989 to 1992 so... In my mind, it seems like it was $1.30 or so from '82 until '86?

[Scuzz]

I can remember gas for $.33 cents a gallon and a six pack of Budweiser for $2. I know, Budweiser, but that was what beer was in those days.

[Kraken]

Bud was for fancy occasions. A six of Schaeffer was $1.19, baby.

[Jaymann]

Schaeffer? Luxury! We drank Hamm's and liked it!

[Holman]

You guys should have been drinking gasoline. Cheaper and better tasting!

[Daehawk]

[Isgrimnur]

Good find, Daehawk.

[LordMortis]

The average is going to be weird though. "regular" was considerably cheaper than "unleaded" for a good while in to the 90s, w'n't it?

[Daehawk]

Around here regular was gone by the 90s and we had the same thing we have now...unleaded, midgrade unleaded, and super unleaded...or premium unleaded.

[Jeff V]

Normally? The '70s. Late '90s was a blip that maybe lasted one tank of gas.

Saturday, I filled up one car at $1.96. Later I saw $1.86. Next day I filled the other car, $2.22 was the best I could find. Today the lowest seen is $2.36. Monday, local news ran a story about sub-$2 gas but that ship already sailed.

[Unagi]

and you all laughed at my banana car idea.

[Jeff V]

and you all laughed at my banana car idea.

Because your lame-ass banana car got 3 gallons to the mile.

[Unagi]

Oh c'mon, that thing could really peel out.

[Daehawk]

Thats a slippery slope.

[Scuzz]

Normally? The '70s. Late '90s was a blip that maybe lasted one tank of gas.

Saturday, I filled up one car at $1.96. Later I saw $1.86. Next day I filled the other car, $2.22 was the best I could find. Today the lowest seen is $2.36. Monday, local news ran a story about sub-$2 gas but that ship already sailed.

In wonderful California my local station has it's cheapest gas at $3.29.

[dbt1949]

Around here we keep pogoing at the $2 mark.
I can remember back in the 50s when gas was normally in the 25 cent range and having gas wars all the time taking it down in the teens.

[Daehawk]

For the last 15 years it seems prices bounce around all over the place. But as a kid in the 70s and 80s I dont recall it changing all that much. I guess I just wasn't paying any attention until the late 80s when I started buying it myself. But I dont recall that bounce in the 90s either.