Do The Math
I keep hearing people complain about how expensive gas has become. More significantly, I’ve heard several news programs report that “thousands of motorists” are choosing not to travel this holiday weekend, due to those high prices.
I don’t get it. Are Americans mathematically challenged or something? (Oh, wait, I forgot–we are!) Here’s a little puzzle for all you prospective fuel misers:
Suppose that Alice and Bob have been considering a trip this Labor Day weekend from New Jersey to, say, Niagara Falls. That trip is about 400 miles, or 8 hours–probably too long a trip for a comfortable 3-day weekend, but all the better an example for its distance.
Suppose further that Alice and Bob drive a car which gets 25 miles per gallon (my old Toyota gets at least that).
Finally, suppose that gas prices have gone up from $2.70 to $3.10 over the past few weeks, as they have in our area.
Q: Should Alice and Bob consider cancelling their long-anticipated romantic weekend getaway due to “high gas prices?”
A: If they think with their televisions, then yes. If they think with their brains, then no. Here’s why:
800 miles (round-trip), at 25 miles per gallon, will require 32 gallons of gas. An increase of 40 cents per gallon means that they will spend an “extra” $12.80 on gas this weekend. Consider the cost of dining, lodging, and New Jersey auto insurance rates, and $13 doesn’t seem like much of a showstopper.
Since people are, by nature, very logical and intelligent beings, it must be the case that those “motorists” who would cancel their weekend plans would do so only because they drive eighteen-wheelers or Sherman tanks. (Or is it Lincoln Navigators and Hummers?)
So relax, do the math, and go enjoy your weekend as planned. And buy a more efficient car, dammit.
P.S., While I’m on the subject: gas should be expensive. I wish it cost $4.00/gallon.
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You nailed it.
Consumers $hit their pants every time their gas goes up.
How silly and absurd is that?