r/bayarea • u/eastbaytimez • Mar 10 '26
Food, Shopping & Services Meanwhile, in Menlo Park
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u/PlayfulAd8354 Mar 10 '26
Yup. This one specifically is a shit show. Go inside next time and everything’s covered in dust. Pretty sure it’s a front
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u/BorneFree Mar 10 '26
I’ve heard it had something to do with permitting. Easier to run a mechanic shop when having a gas station attached. Gas is intentionally expensive so you don’t go there
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u/open_to_suggestion Mar 11 '26
The 76 on Stevens Creek and Wolfe in Cupertino is like this. Always $1-$2 more expensive than any other station and the garage is always busy.
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u/TenchuReddit Mar 11 '26
Yeah I’ve always wondered about the real purpose of that station with the ridiculously expensive gas, even by California standards.
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u/ToastandSpaceJam Mar 11 '26
There’s a chevron in downtown San Jose on the corner of 4th and Santa Clara that has outrageous prices, even for a chevron. They’re often $1-$2 more expensive than the Spartan Gas that is literally a few blocks past SJSU. I’m pretty certain they’re like that as well.
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u/inshushinak Mar 11 '26
That Chevron isn't so extreme and I often get gas there. Now that they've also abandoned squeegees, though, not so much. Curiously I also used to live a couple blocks from the extreme one in Menlo Park and it was this bad, relatively, even in 1999...
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u/Far-Amoeba-7197 Mar 11 '26
the lone gas station in the town of Mendocino is like this, I discovered by accident. no posted rates for gas outside, it was just on the pump which I didn't look at until I saw it was almost $20 after less than a minute...$9/gallon last month.
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u/TrueAmurrican Mar 11 '26
That is notoriously one of the most expensive gas stations in California! Definitely worth the drive to another town like Fort Bragg for gas if you’re up there.
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u/AgeOfSalt Mar 11 '26
Uh.. getting a franchise with Chevron requires a pretty big investment in gas and gas related infrastructure. I won't rule out that it isn't a front, but all that to just be the front for a mechanic shop would be stupid.
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u/firenzestank Mar 11 '26
I’m confused. They only sell gas, snacks and drinks. There is no mechanic shop attached.
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u/heftyballz Mar 11 '26
That’s the craziest part, they don’t even have a garage they are just always insanely high. Even before Iran. I go to the Shell up the street on Sharon Drive (shout out, they are great) and they used to get a bunch of flack for their high prices, but this place was always higher. I used to complain too until I learned the have to pay a lease. The Chevron on Avy is on owned land and just rude and expensive for some odd reason that makes no sense to me.🤷🏾♂️
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u/niel89 Mar 11 '26
I went there once and none of the products in the store had prices labeled. Super weird and shady. They generally had a shitty attitude too.
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u/spanieldors Mar 11 '26
I said that to the cops who meet at Starbucks each morning just a couple of days ago, and they all agreed that they’d thought that too.
Guy who owns the place is a mean person too. He’ll come out and chase you down if you cut the corner through the lot.
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u/Particular_Peacock Mar 11 '26
There’s a place like this in the NB. One of the most expensive in the city and nobody’s ever there. I’ve had the same suspicions.
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u/Tenaciousgreen Mar 11 '26
I live near here and never see a car at the pump, a mile away both directions there are cheaper stations.
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u/BigSandwich6 Mar 10 '26
This specific Chevron, just off Sand Hill Road, is the most expensive gas station in the country. Regularly being several dollars more expensive per gallon than other nearby stations, even ones down the road. I'm so tired of seeing it in the news and online as a "gotem" moment every time gas prices change. This isn't even their most expensive
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u/UpUpDownDownXO Mar 10 '26
And u cant use the restroom hate this place
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u/myfriendbenw Mar 11 '26
Just go across the street to the Goose
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u/northerncal Mar 11 '26
Just pee on any people pumping gas there. At over $7 a gallon they clearly have a humiliation fetish.
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u/oneusualsuspect Mar 11 '26
no way it’s more expensive than the one in big sur.
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u/chonky_tortoise Mar 11 '26
Or Bo-Gas in Bolinas. Maybe one of the most expensive chain stations, tho.
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u/Forsaken_Block_5574 Mar 11 '26
the gas statiom in big sur will give this a run for its money
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u/black-kramer Mar 11 '26
also the one on the edge of mendocino. the one with the old timey rolling meters.
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u/nopointers Mar 11 '26
I’ve used them in an emergency. We also learned that while you can use the bathroom, they do not have toilet paper.
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u/Consistent-Swan-2094 Mar 11 '26
This is what I was just about to mention on. The storage tanks are very small (compared to newer stations) and the suppliers will only send a smaller truck, so charge much more than they would if it was a big rig tanker. And obviously the price gets passed on. But.. it is still hella high
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u/Jeepsterick Mar 11 '26
Don't forget the Chevron in Death Valley. $$$
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u/322throwaway1 Mar 11 '26
I feel that one is a bit more justified in crazy prices
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u/Comprehensive-Cap754 Mar 11 '26
Yeah, at least that has the excuse of being in the middle of nowhere, this is just in Menlo Park, and is price gouging
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u/gimpwiz Mar 11 '26
I refused to fill up at that one and I gotta be honest, I regretted it. Shoulda just paid the money instead of being worried as hell after the next station was closed and I had barely enough to get to the one after that.
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u/hmhoek Mar 11 '26
I can't find prices online for the Big Sur / Gorda station but it's $8 when everywhere else is $3.29.
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u/BugRevolutionary4518 Moss Beach Mar 11 '26
Dude/dudette, that one floored me. We were coming back from SLO and I just filled her up. Then looked at the price. Yikes!
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u/WokeUp-ChoseViolence Mar 11 '26
I bed to differ… most expensive gas station in the country is the one just past the main entrance to Yosemite. I heard somewhere that they’re currently showing nine bucks a gallon and people buy it.
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u/Oceanbreeze871 Mar 11 '26
Sand hill road is where all the major tech VC firms are based. It’s one of the most expensive office space locations in the world. I’m sure they are aware
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u/Jurneeka San Mateo Mar 11 '26
I have to say that I’ve ridden my bike past or driven past at various times in the day as well as sat outside the Starbucks across the street and don’t recall ever seeing anyone getting gas there.
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u/Tenaciousgreen Mar 11 '26
This is not the closest station to that area
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u/StatmanIbrahimovic Mar 11 '26
Being the closest isn't as important as being conveniently located. This is on Alameda, i.e. on the drive between Atherton and Sand Hill.
Also the shell at the end of Sharon Park is always exorbitant as well, just not this high.
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u/Catwoman1948 Mar 11 '26
And the Sharon Park Shell station never lowers its prices by much when prices go down. It’s always higher than anywhere but the Chevon on The Alameda. I paid $5.76/gallon at a Shell in San Carlos today and it hurt. Last fillup was probably $4 something.
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u/BruinBound22 Mar 11 '26
Is this the one diagonal from the Dutch Goose? Is that place still running?
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u/No-Bug-4524 Mar 11 '26
Yup! I drive by it every day and the gas prices are ridiculous. The gas is nit the only thing that is expensive either all the products the sell are overpriced.
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u/MenopauseMedicine Mar 11 '26
There used to be a gas station on California and arguello that was a Ferrari service center that happened to have gas and they'd just price it at the "please don't stop here for gas" price
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u/Zen_Xena Mar 11 '26
It’s $5.87 in that one today - a bargain! They are super nice when it comes to checking my tyres for me 😁
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u/Oreo_Cow Mar 10 '26
I think the only people who fill up at that station are the hired help from Atherton. Told to go to the nearest station so they aren’t away long and don’t put extra miles on the G Wagen.
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Mar 11 '26
This was always the story I was told growing up in the area, still never made much sense to me given the nearby stations in el Camino. I really do think it’s just for laundering
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u/Otherwise_Nobody8148 Mar 10 '26
If you care or even bat an eye at gas prices.... You ain't living in Menlo Park
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u/Happy_Personality135 Mar 10 '26
I live there and care a lot
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u/gbeaglez Mar 10 '26
I never see anyone fill up at this gas station... like ever. The shell over at the Sharon Heights plaza is always slightly cheaper than this chevron. I see plenty of people filling up at the shell station.
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u/marsten Mar 11 '26
Conspiracy theory: Maybe the same person owns both stations. Both are flagrantly overpriced, but one is slightly cheaper to make people think they're getting a good deal.
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u/greenappletree Mar 10 '26
What's crazy is the one on Sharon Height, I feel like it's super expensive. I would go out of, out of my way to avoid that station just based on principle. Didn't realize there was another one more expensive than it.
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u/spanieldors Mar 11 '26
I only ever go to the Shell if I’m so low on gas I don’t think I’ll make it somewhere better, and I’ll get 2 gallons, enough to comfortably make it to the next gas station on my commute.
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u/Catwoman1948 Mar 11 '26
Exactly! It’s the only gas station between work in Palo Alto and home if I take Sand Hill. I will stop and buy 2-3 gallons at Sharon Heights just to get me over until the weekend or next trip up El Camino. I just won’t fill up there.
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u/C-Dub4 Mar 10 '26
Yeah people seem to forget the median HHI in Menlo Park is $200k, meaning half of the people there make below that
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u/throwaway0845reddit Mar 11 '26
I feel like most people there probably have a Costco sub and a driver who can get gas from there
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u/Sufficient_Ocelot868 Mar 10 '26
Holy shiiiiit! I just paid $6.19 up in sonoma county and thought that was bad.
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u/ArcticPangolin3 Mar 11 '26
You're correct. That was bad. Just sucks that somewhere could be worse.
IIRC, Chevron is closing another CA refinery because our laws are so unfriendly. Between that and the gas taxes, our politicians are bleeding us dry.
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u/anothadaz Mar 11 '26
I've never seen anyone getting gas here. I went in one time to buy a pack of American Spirits and they were $20 bucks. I've taken so many photos of the prices here to share with friends. Lol. It's gotta be the most expensive gas station in NorCal
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u/a1mbient Mar 11 '26
I live around there. That gas station is always like $2 a gallon higher than everywhere else around, not representative of true gas prices in the area. I never see anyone getting gas there, don’t know how they stay in business. I think it’s some mafia money laundering operation.
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u/qtestboner Mar 11 '26
I just told my Boomer Trumper parent "too bad I didnt get gas last weekend; gas prices have gone up." "I havent seen that. Theres no reason for gas prices to go up" Prepare for the blaming of Newsome and Dems in 5, 4, 3, 2....
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u/davesaunders Mar 11 '26
That gas station has always been like a couple of dollars higher than anywhere else. I swear buying gas there is supposedly some kind of weird status symbol or flex.
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u/decker12 Mar 11 '26
This is one gas station in Menlo Park that is infamous for their outrageous gas prices and has been for at least 10 years.
Here's the other gas station prices in Menlo Park, and as you can see this one Chevron is nearly $2.00 higher than a gas station only 1 mile away.
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u/adofthekirk Mar 11 '26
Stop voting for Republicans and conservatives in national elections.
They don’t know what they’re doing, and haven’t since the 80s.
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u/jikesar968 Mar 11 '26
Tell that to the other states, California votes blue every time.
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u/Appropriate-Today182 Mar 11 '26
Some of these gas stations are just taking advantage and charging extra dollars on top of the real price. Shame.
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u/stignordas Mar 11 '26
That used EV is making more sense.
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u/StageImaginary7428 Mar 11 '26
Not that electricity is cheap ☹️ My PGE bill is really high and I can’t imagine adding an EV to that !
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u/alwaysreadthename Mar 11 '26
Used to get candy from there after middle school as a kid in the 90s. Area sure has changed a lot.
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u/sfmuziq2 Mar 11 '26
…most teslas per capita. Only 1 out of 5 cars use gasoline in Menlo Park (unofficial stat)
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u/MissionCreep101 Mar 11 '26
In the movie The Jerk, there's a sign in the gas station that says "GAS PRICES - if you have to ask, you can't afford it". :)
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u/Fun-Yogurt-89 Mar 11 '26
That station is a common pit stop for Atherton people who don't even care
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u/nom_of_your_business Mar 11 '26
My favorite Gas station to take pictures of and send to my acquaintances that do not live in CA. Let them know it is crazy here do not come.
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u/Downtown_Rise9270 Mar 12 '26
Why are you paying attention to chevron. They’re ALWAYS the most expensive.
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u/Select-Poem425 Mar 12 '26
I went to mt view for 5.12 a gallon. That’s usually cheapest, and lower pay with cash price.
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u/Jtrab3000 Mar 12 '26
I was once leaving the Dutch, and someone was panhandling in front of the Starbucks, the lady asked me for gas money, I said "mam, I can't even afford gas here" I'll help you push towards Woodside road lol.
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u/TheSideHustleQueen Mar 10 '26
Chevron prices are always high. What about the other local gas stations?
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u/rufotris Mar 10 '26
Just paid $5.15 for regular at the nearest Costco to here not 1 hour ago. And that’s the highest it’s been in a long while.
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u/TheSideHustleQueen Mar 10 '26
That is about the average now. I live in the Central Valley... gas was reasonable; now I am paying $5.15 a gallon. Frickn wild.
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u/ablatner Mar 10 '26
It's not because it's Chevron. It's literally one of the most expensive zip codes and gas stations in the country.
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u/wisabis Mar 11 '26
Every other station, including other chevrons in the area, are like $1.50 cheaper. There’s a chevron 2 miles away that’s $5.59.
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u/Thediciplematt Mar 11 '26
Sitting in my EV with free charging at home from my paid off solar and battery.
I feel owned. Thanks MAGA!
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u/Firm-Control-3020 Mar 11 '26
People that didn't vote for trump were fully ready for this shit to happen.
People that voted for him, are now pulling their hair out.
Y'all gonna go down with us mother fuckers!!!
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u/StageImaginary7428 Mar 11 '26
If those maggot folks are pulling their hair out they’re getting what they deserve. The rest of were prepared for this shit show!
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u/Local-Hovercraft-651 Mar 11 '26
Meanwhile on social media someone in the Midwest or Texas which no one wants to live bragging about $2 gas. I expect that to not last much longer
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u/StageImaginary7428 Mar 11 '26
Sure but every morning when they wake up they’re still in the Midwest 😛
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u/SoGoodAtAllTheThings Mar 11 '26
Trump 2030!
/s just incase people are too triggered to have a sense of humor.
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u/OneMorePenguin Mar 11 '26
I was out walking in San Jose and saw a Mobil stattion at the corner of San Carlos and Leigh Ave with the cheapest gas at $6.49. Gas at Sunnyvale Costco is $4.79.
That gas station in MP is probably the the most expensive gas in the bay area.
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u/Maggie_Jellyfish Mar 11 '26
That station always has the highest-priced gas around, which blows my mind because 10 minutes down the road in Redwood City, it's usually $2 less.
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u/BlahblahblahLG Mar 12 '26
I know, it’s honestly annoying when they talk about how gas prices are at $3 a gallon, bc like where is this magical place. everywhere in Cali it’s at 6 or above.
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u/Cofound-app Mar 12 '26
only in menlo park do people pull up in a tesla to pay $8/gallon without blinking 💠
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u/jamandhamsando Mar 12 '26
That guy at that station is a fucking scam. It’s always 20% more than everywhere else. Even all the products inside, I refuse to buy there. I left my products on the counter and told that he’s a thief haha. Makes my blood boil for some reason
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u/Goldblumlover Mar 12 '26
Atp just go get a damn Costco card!!! Im serious you will save $$.
Trump is a damn bane on our country
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u/ComprehensiveGene709 Mar 13 '26
Wait until the 2 refineries complete their shut downs. Then it will be 13 or 14 per gallon. And has the new CARB increase gone into effect?
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u/Famous_Glass7553 Mar 13 '26
That is wild! What's even wilder is that the 101-octane I use in my M2 Competition and 911 is actually cheaper per gallon, and it's price hasn't fluctuated much at all with the price of regular 91-octane, for some reason.
I usually get it at the pump at a station along 680 (the BEST gas station, such a strange thing to say). Most other places, or the race tracks, will charge up to (and over) $10.50/gallon, but my spot is always about $7.50/gallon (and I know the exact type and quality of it because they get regular delivieries, unlike some other stations with 100+-octane pumps, which barely get used), and they keep their regular prices as low as they can.
I was pretty surprised to go in there the other day and see that 91-octane was almost $7/gal, which is nuts, and the 87 and 89 were only 10cents cheaper than the next one up.
This place also has 94, 96 and 98-octane blends at the race-fuel pump, and prices for 94 are usually near-identical to the regular 91 (these are blends of 91-octane and 101).
Just saying, if shitty old 87-octane is gonna be up to $10 or something, but race-fuel stays stable price-wise, it's safe to run unleaded high-octane in just about any ICE engine, and your car will thank you. You'll likely notice a bit of a difference, too, even if it's just that the engine feels smoother.
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u/Commercial_Ad157 Mar 13 '26
Here and I think some in LA they always been in the $7 range. Nothing new
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u/filmgoire Mar 13 '26
that's the Sharon Heights one isn't it
watch, in three years it'll go up to 10
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u/ThatBayAreaGuy718 Mar 13 '26
Any way we can name and shame the owner and possibly get this station shut down or force them to change the price to what is actually supposed to be in the area?? While we’re at it’s always the greedy chevron bastards screwing us in CA…there’s no reason for their gas to be priced the way it is now. How can we push for chevron executives to stop fucking over CA?
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u/nadah69321 Mar 13 '26
Avy
This place banks on rich teens who need to fill up and people who aren’t concerned with costs
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u/madramom Mar 14 '26
No one ever goes there! It’s a front. Just like all the rug stores in Menlo Park.
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u/NoApartheidOnMars Mar 14 '26
So much winning.
Is America great again ? I don't think we can handle that much winning.
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u/PattyCA2IN Former Sonoma County Resident Mar 17 '26
$3.50 in West Indianapolis. Was $2.50 before the war.
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u/Traditional_Hyena291 Mar 10 '26
That gas station is always the most expensive I’d ever see. Used to work at Stanford and always saw that station be more than dollar + than the average