Gas Stations Think I’m Stupid

The sign at the gas station changed overnight. Yesterday, the regular was $3.24. This morning, it’s $4.43. No one at the pump looks surprised. Maybe we should be.

It’s a pattern: turmoil in the Middle East, a hurricane near the Gulf, or a pipeline glitch, and gas prices jump—sometimes by the hour. News anchors warn about “volatility,” and oil executives blame global events. But the gas in your tank started its journey years ago.

Here’s what most folks don’t realize: the oil that becomes gasoline is usually bought and sold on futures contracts years before it ever makes its way into your car. A futures contract is a financial agreement to buy or sell a commodity, such as oil, at a set price on a specific future date. Refiners lock in crude oil prices well in advance, sometimes as much as 2 or 3 years out. The gasoline you’re paying for today was, in many cases, paid for at a price set long before last week’s headlines.

So why does every crisis—real or manufactured—send prices at the pump soaring right away? Industry spokespeople will talk about “anticipated supply disruptions” or “investor sentiment.” But the truth is simpler, and much less flattering to the major oil companies: it’s about profit. The gap between what it costs to bring gasoline to market and what we pay keeps widening whenever there’s a scare.

Let’s be clear: if a hurricane damages refineries or war disrupts shipping lanes, prices should rise—eventually. But the gasoline in the tanks beneath your local station didn’t instantly cost more to make. Often, the price hike is less about today’s supply and more about what the market anticipates—or what companies believe the market can bear.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Over the decades, Americans have experienced oil embargoes, wars, recessions, and many unexpected events. Each time, price increases at the pump happen swiftly, while relief, when it arrives, takes longer. The industry often explains it as simply passing along costs.

But when profits for the large oil companies reach record highs, it can be difficult not to feel taken advantage of. Last year, the five largest oil firms posted a combined profit of $180 billion, shattering previous records even as drivers faced high prices. That’s a startling 100 percent increase over the previous year for some of these companies. The explanation is usually the same: it’s the market, it’s complicated, and difficult for the average person to understand.

Except, after a lifetime of buying gasoline—and living through more crises than most CEOs have had hot dinners—it becomes easier to recognize the difference between reasonable business and taking advantage. Price increases, even when justifiable, still impact consumers’ wallets.

So the next time you see that price jump, don’t buy the story that it’s all out of everyone’s hands. The only real crisis seems to be the lack of respect these companies show their customers’ intelligence. Instead, try shopping around at different gas stations or using price-comparison apps. You can also reach out to your local representatives to let them know how these rapid price increases affect you. Even small actions like these can help drive greater accountability and keep you a step ahead.