What's up with truck versus auto diesel pricing??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tankowner · #1 01-16-2008, 10:11 PM

So I drove from Columbia, MO to near Pittsburgh, PA last week. (Nice that the 24 gallon tank can nearly take me the whole way!) As I went, I was checking fuel prices along the way to see where the cheapest place to stop the way back would be. Driving back through I made a stop in Indiana because the prices there was posted at something like $3.17. However, when I pulled in I found that the listed price was for trucks only - the "auto" diesel was $3.40 - what's up with that???

Is this a state by state thing, with some states deciding to tax less on trucks and more on cars, or what's the deal?

Knightrider966 · #2 01-16-2008, 10:16 PM

I'm a truck driver myself and I know, at least around here (Arizona) the ULSD isn't being used in Commercial rigs yet. I get a discount for auto fuel same as truck fuel because of my professional association, but prefer to burn biodiesel!

suburbanviking · #3 01-16-2008, 10:18 PM

I haven't seen that up in Indiana. Along what interstate did you experience that? (Name the place so we can all avoid it.) I'll keep an eye out when we head up to Indy on Friday.

Here at two of the local Pilots along I-64 in Kentucky, there are differences between the cash and credit card prices, but not for trucks and cars.

I'd have probably just pulled up to one of the truck lanes to pump.

.....Dan

#4 01-16-2008, 10:33 PM

Truck diesel is regular #2. Auto diesel is winterized #1.

If you know you will be driving in areas that won't be below 25*f then you can safely use #2 (truck) without gelling.

lietuviai · #5 01-16-2008, 11:05 PM

There's a 76 station in Vancouver WA that charges different prices for "auto" diesel and "truck" diesel. It's a small station and I doubt they have different tanks for "different" diesel fuels.

tankowner · #6 01-16-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbanviking

I haven't seen that up in Indiana. Along what interstate did you experience that? (Name the place so we can all avoid it.) I'll keep an eye out when we head up to Indy on Friday.

Here at two of the local Pilots along I-64 in Kentucky, there are differences between the cash and credit card prices, but not for trucks and cars.

I'd have probably just pulled up to one of the truck lanes to pump.

.....Dan

I found the auto versus truck pricing at a Flying J along I-70 in Indiana. I didn't buy fuel there, just got back on interstate and got gas once I was out of Indiana. Other exits in Indiana has similar prices listed, so I didn't bother getting off to see if it was the same deal there but I probably should have.

I really did consider pulling up to the truck pumps, but I knew I had enough to get me to another station.

tankowner · #7 01-16-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Truck diesel is regular #2. Auto diesel is winterized #1.

If you know you will be driving in areas that won't be below 25*f then you can safely use #2 (truck) without gelling.

So the trucks don't have to worry about gelling, or they just use additives? And why the difference in price, is that typical of the price difference between #1 and #2? And why did I only see this in Indiana and not in any of the other states (I have stopped for fuel at stations/truck stops in Missouri, Ohio and PA and haven't noticed this there.) So many questions.

DrewKeen · #8 01-16-2008, 11:20 PM

I know that some trucks run heated fuel filters.

tankowner · #9 01-16-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightrider966

I'm a truck driver myself and I know, at least around here (Arizona) the ULSD isn't being used in Commercial rigs yet. I get a discount for auto fuel same as truck fuel because of my professional association, but prefer to burn biodiesel!

Okay. I had wondered if it might be related to ULSD somehow. Although I thought that I had read somewhere that ULSD only added about $.04-$.06 per gallon. I can probably find something about the added price of ULSD online.

Lycoming-8 · #10 01-17-2008, 03:11 AM

Indiana has always had some strange fuel pricing quirks. At one time they would post the price on the big signs out front without including the road tax. Then when you paid they would add that on. The whole deal got me to skipping both Ill and Ind when it came to buying fuel. Would load up in Mo and run for Cincy. Of course back then I had the 220D with an aux tank in the foreward part of the trunk. Could carry more fuel than I could use in a reasonable days driving.

hey_allen · #11 01-17-2008, 04:58 AM

Everywhere I've gone that services over road trucking has had different pricing for trucks vs cars.

When I was curious about this, I went and did a little research. What I found was that the trucking companies pay their road use tax by the logged mile, rather than rolled into the fuel taxes the way we lowly consumers get to 'contribute' to the state's revenue.

Basically, pay as you go, or pay a great huge lump at the end, similar to having an income tax witholding or saving the money yourself and paying the lump at the end of the year. Yes, you play with the interest instead of the government, but you'd better have their money when they call for it.

Me, I just take my lumps.

That being said, I was mildly annoyed when I noticed the price difference, as it shows how much road tax the state is gouging us for.
The last time I was at a station that had multiple prices indicated, it was $2.40/gal on untaxed (dyed) fuel, vs the $3.63/gal on the automotive rate D2. This one didn't have the trucker rate displayed, though.

vstech · #12 01-17-2008, 08:58 AM

whoa! 1.23 a gallon for TAXES!!! that's insane...

SwampYankee · #13 01-17-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankowner

So I drove from Columbia, MO to near Pittsburgh, PA last week. (Nice that the 24 gallon tank can nearly take me the whole way!) As I went, I was checking fuel prices along the way to see where the cheapest place to stop the way back would be. Driving back through I made a stop in Indiana because the prices there was posted at something like $3.17. However, when I pulled in I found that the listed price was for trucks only - the "auto" diesel was $3.40 - what's up with that???

Is this a state by state thing, with some states deciding to tax less on trucks and more on cars, or what's the deal?

I'm guessing probably Association or volume discounts. Plus it wouldn't surprise me if they want to dissuade "four wheelers" from getting in the way. I've never driven a tractor trailer but I have driven a 53K GVW tandem axle box truck and have filled up at a regular station. I could fully appreciate the fact that the drivers of many cars can be a PITA when it comes to pump etiquette and trying to jockey for position.

TX76513 · #14 01-17-2008, 09:03 AM

VOLUME - Most big motor carriers are running fuel optimization programs that direct a driver to a particular Truck Stop, and also tells how many gallons to purchace (IFTA). The program is updated several times a day and is price and discount driven.

E300TD99 · #15 01-17-2008, 10:04 AM

I didn't read all the threads so I appologize if this has been repeated but one thing you have to remember when fueling up where the Semi's do is the High Velocity Nozzles. If you can even get the nozzle in your tank you will end up wearing your diesel fuel.

Also, take a look at this site:
http://factsonfuel.org/diesel/index.html#1supply The best place to buy fuel in the lower 48 is Kentucky. Indiana is one of the most expensive.

Also, at a lot of the truck stops that fuel is tax exempt. I believe they still have to pay taxes but just not at the pump.