Large spread in gas prices (Bangor, Brunswick: taxes, live, costs)

[Newdaawn]

Yesterday, while out doing errands, within one mile the price of gas was anywhere between $3.42 to $3.65. Wondering why. I understand a small difference withing a couple hundred miles but a 23 cent difference is great for within one mile. The next time I need a fill up I will check back to that station that was getting $3.42.

[jdhpa]

Were they in different cities or counties? Maybe they're paying different taxes.

When I lived in Florida the county I lived in had a much higher tax rate on gas than the neighboring county just south of us.

[Coaster]

The Maine gasoline tax is uniform throughout the state -- municipalities and counties don't have the power to tax gasoline independently.

I've seen similar, although not quite so drastic, spreads here in the midcoast area. Gasoline can be as much as 8-10 cents higher in Bath than it is in Brunswick, while occasionally Damariscotta has lower prices than Brunswick. For some reason, Belfast almost always has the lowest prices, as does Augusta usually.

As for why, I assume it has something to do with local market forces and whatever transportation and other costs are associated with each area. The gas stations on Outer Pleasant Street (Route 1) in Brunswick are all usually within a penny of each other, while the stations in Bath often have 4-5 cent spreads. Yesterday the prices ranged from $3.53 to $3.59 in Bath, but were uniformly $3.51 in Brunswick when I drove through.

Newdaawn, you might consider driving across the bridge to Brewer for your gas. My brother says it is almost always cheaper over there than it is in Bangor.

[mainebrokerman]

I paid 3.42 gallon in nh today

always seems to be cheaper in nh