Gas Stations in the U.S.

Gas stations are a true American icon dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, the first public gas station appearing in St. Louis, Missouri in 1905. In the beginning, they were small buildings with uniformed attendants offering full service ranging from filling up customers' gas tanks to cleaning their windshields or checking their tires. The rate of their appearance was sharply increasing during the 1930s and 1940s, reaching the peak in the 1970s when the US had over 200,000 filling stations. Interestingly enough, in 1947, the first "Self-serve" gasoline station was opened in Los Angeles, California, where customers could pump their own gas. Since then, self-serve outlets have been gradually replacing full-service gasoline stations although there are two states - New Jersey and Oregon - where the latter ones are a norm. Failure to comply with it will result in fines ($50 - $250 for the first offense and not more than $500.00 for each subsequent offense).

However, from the 1990s onwards, the number of gas stations has been dramatically declining due to numerous factors, such as a changed driving pattern and a high price of gas on one hand, and a revolution in auto efficiency on the other hand. Namely, there is a tendency to abandon gasoline as a transportation fuel and switch either to electrical vehicles or the natural-gas-powered cars. The Obama administration has even set the ambitious so-called '54-mile-per-gallon fuel' standard, the purpose of which is to double the average fuel efficiency of cars and light trucks by 2025.

In the meantime, what is worth knowing is that unleaded gas is required for all cars manufactured in the US. It is considered to be safer and healthier as tetra-ethyl lead has been removed from it and ethanol added with the purpose of reducing pollution. Since there are various grades (octane levels) of gas, usually indicated by names like "Premium" or "Super" (highest octane level) and "Regular" for the lower octane level, try to select the one that comes nearest to meeting your engine's octane needs. Remember that you will do nothing but waste your money if you buy higher-octane gas than your engine is designed for.

As for payment, most gas stations accept credit cards, including bank cards. If in doubt, make sure to ask prior to filling up your car. At many stations, your purchase can be charged by inserting your credit card into the pump itself.