Chump Change

Most Americans are frustrated and would absolutely love to know where or when does the cost of gas finally end. With so many intangibles there is no way of being able to predict such a thing. On the flipside there is likely a high percentage of Americans who probably have no clue whatsoever where the money is going once it is pumped into their vehicle. With a little of research here's what I was able to come up with. Off the top there are the government taxes (what else is new? LOL) typically for building and road maintenance (approximately 40 cents of which per gallon while the national average has the state governments taking approximately 22 cents per gallon). Obviously there is also the logistics of moving the product from refineries to the local pump which is approximately 25 cents per gallon. About another 25 cents per gallon goes to the actual refinery companies such as Sunoco, Frontier, etc. About $2 per gallon (the big portion) goes to the actual producers like Chevron or Marathon. However, once at the local convenience station (keep in mind most are typically independently owned/operated) which generates typically about 7 to 10 cents for every gallon (according to the US Energy Information Administration). At that rate there is absolutely also no way that could even be considered profit when you figure in the local employee wages, the lease, the station bills (electrical/upkeep etc). Any profit whatsoever at that level likely would have to come from coffee, cigarette, alcohol, soda or food/candy sales. From another website there was a percentage breakdown for a gallon of gas which was as follows...

58 crude oil
17 refining
15 taxes
9 distribution/retail
1 local store income

Just something to think about or ponder next time you fill up at the pump. Any thoughts? Would love to hear!