Gas prices fluctuate across Gulf Coast

BALDWIN COUNTY, Alabama (WALA) - Since gas prices seem to go going up just about every day, many of you are looking for the lowest price. While you're looking, you've probably seen price differences of ten cents or more just within a few miles.

The price of gas is based on a number of factors - supply and demand of crude, federal and local taxes, and a couple other things.

So a FOX10 News crew decided to take a drive from Orange Beach toward Interstate 10 and look at the trends of gas prices in our area. It was fascinating to see how different the prices were.

While a few visitors lounged in the sand and surf at Orange Beach, we found Mr. and Mrs. Brantley in a motor home enjoying the view. You'd think they were snowbirds or vacationers. Instead, they live four miles away. They just wanted to run the motor.

"We were hoping we could go on long trips, but it's not working out right now because I think I'm getting too old to drive that far," Harlan Brantley said.

He also blames gas prices.

"I woulda never thought I'd see it this high,” he added.

So we decided to see just how high the prices are in this area on a drive from Orange Beach to I-10.

Leaving Orange Beach, we approach a Tom Thumb at $3.77 a gallon. Just a few miles down the road, over at Gulf Shores, there's a station at $3.65! Some folks think driving around is not worth it.

"They'll drive around looking for cheaper gas prices, which I find rather foolish. Just stop and get gas," one woman said.

The U.S. Department of Energy said different traffic patterns, rent, and sources of supply could all have an impact on why gas stations set their price.

So we keep going. As we drive toward Foley, the prices are back up again - we found an Exxon at $3.75.

As we inch closer to the interstate and approach Robertsdale, we found the prices dipped a little to $3.65, and then we made it to Loxley.

Drivers in Loxley may think they found a great deal at one station where the price was $3.69, but right across the street at a Raceway, they have prices at $3.58. That's 11 cents cheaper!

"I don't know man, it's crazy,” one man remarked.

If you're looking for a deal toward Orange Beach, you're best bet is Loxley, but just make sure you have a keen eye first

The U.S. Department of Energy said just because you buy gas at a Shell gas station, does not mean the fuel was refined by Shell.

Sometimes gas stations share gas from the same refinery, and the only difference between the gas at one station from the other may be the small amount of additives that the companies add to the gas before it gets to the pump.

Click here to find the cheapest gas in your area.