As the price of gas continues to rise, many vacationers may want to consider where they fill up as they drive across county. Depending on the size of their vehicle and its gas tank, it may be worthwhile to fill up just before or after crossing a state’s board.

Let’s take a quick paper drive from Illinois to the beaches of South Carolina. You leave home paying .19 per gallon of gas for taxes. You briefly enter Indiana where it’s a penny less before entering Kentucky at the low tax rate of .15 per gallon. Via Tennessee, the price jumps to .20 per gallon, whereas West Virginia is .205. The scenery may be prettier but remember West Virginia roads are toll roads. A little further east is Virginia at .175.

Either direction will lead you to North Carolina where you’ll pay at least .266 a gallon for taxes - that’s .076 higher than when you left home. With a 20-gallon tank that’s $1.52 more. Since taxes in South Carolina are only .16, maybe that’s the place to fill up.

Adding one more twist to the mix, compare pump prices gallon to gallon through a website that checks prices nationwide.

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Gas Price Watch

Gas Buddy