We left the Pacific Northwest this morning around 5:30 excited and full of energy. By the time The Girl and I arrived in Billings, Montana it was just after 7 pm and man oh man were we tired! The boys didn’t make it to the hotel until nearly 9 and they were exhausted from driving the giant U-Haul all day. The scenery though, it was amazing.
About a week ago when I checked the forecast snow was predicted in Montana and in New England for the dates of our road trip. Luckily, it looks like the weather pattern has changed {so far anyway} and on day one we were able to put a 820 mile dent in our 3,000 mile journey. Driving for 13 hours was hard, but luckily we had a bunch of podcasts to listen to.
Before leaving Western Washington we filled up the tank at Costco and paid $2.79 a gallon for regular unleaded. Along the way to Montana we shelled out $2.83 and $2.69 a gallon at regular, small town gas stations. I don’t know about you, but I find gas prices fascinating. I guess I don’t understand how gas could cost more in Tacoma, Washington than it could in a teeny tiny town in the middle of Eastern Washington. Is it because of big city taxes? Are there oil refineries in Eastern Washington? What am I missing here? I can’t imagine the demand for gasoline in a small town is a big as a large city like Tacoma.
I think it will be interesting to see what gas prices are as we travel across the country this week. Are they higher on the West coast or the East? Hmmm.
We also made a stop at Bernice’s Bakery in Missoula, Montana for lunch {I’ll tell you about it in another post} and they had the cutest cupcakes decorated for St. Patrick’s Day, I couldn’t resist. The Girl took Lucy for a walk around the block while I got our food to go, and then we gave Lucy a chewy stick and ate our lunch in the car like a bunch of weirdos.
Long road trips with a dog can be tricky, but this time around Lucy has her own car seat and we are making a point to take her for a quick run or walk every time we stop {about every 90 minutes or so} and I think that helps her from being so anxious. We’ve got a rhythm down now, and it seems to be working.
Montana, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and your BLUE skies are gorgeous!
And you have a Cracker Barrel…. Who could ask for anything more? 😉
2,200 miles to go!
Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone,
~Mavis
Amy says
Welcome to Montana!! 🙂
Amy says
Oh! Gas prices in Great Falls were $2.45 yesterday 🙂
MaryAnn Coy says
Welcome from Boston, Mavis. Don’t know what your final destination is, but this 3/20/18 our 4th Nor’easter in 2 weeks is anticipated tonight and 12 inches are expected. One more factor to be considered in gasoline prices to consider, is the situation in and around Houston. After Hurricane Harvey, last Summer. The Gulf Oil platforms were secured and evacuated for safety. A number of large petroleum
Refineries were secured and closed before Harvey hit. This might not have been a problem, some national reserve stores could, be released to stabilized prices. However the reserves are stored underground! Under several feet of floodwaters left by Harvey’s rains. No wells pumping, no refining being done, no access to the stores equals short supplies. Gas is dear in NE. Liquified Natural Gas comes by tanker from the Gulf to Boston, by truck from Boston to all of New England. Home heating oil comes by the same route. So, expect gas East of Old Miss to rise & keep track of the weather.
Sharon says
Same scenario here in suburban Philadelphia – 12-18″ expected in the next 2 days, 4th nor’easter in 2 weeks. I take personal responsibility for this – my seed potato order arrived last week, and 2 blueberry bushes were dropped off this morning. Mother Nature does NOT like to be pushed !!!!!
Marcia says
Instagram says she’s already made it to PA…they are flying!!
Holly says
Marcia, what’s there name on Instagram? And where *are* they headed?? (I’ve missed a few “episodes” lol) thx!!
Denise says
I don’t think they were in PA on March 20th since on Day three they were heading to Minnesota! They really would be flying, literally, in a jet if they made it that far in one day.
Jennifer says
Download the gas buddy app – it will tell you gas prices at gas stations in even the smallest of towns. Here in NC, state gas taxes make gas prices up to 25¢ a gallon more than stations right across state lines. A few years ago, you could drive 1/4 mile into one part of SC and get gas for 40¢ cheaper a gallon.
Lace Faerie says
Here in Northwest Washington state, we pay a combined state and federal gas tax of $.678 and an increase is on the books. The price of gas is very frustrating to us. Not only do my family in Oregon have lower gas prices, they get their gas pumped for them! I could run flat out to the closest (of 3 oil refineries within a half mile of my home) and get there before I would get a stitch in my side. And I’m 55 and partially disabled. They.are.that.close!! So why do I have to pay so much for gasoline when it doesn’t have to be trucked farther than the 10 miles to the gas station next to Interstate 5???
Jennifer says
They don’t call us the “Big Sky” state for nothing! Glad you had good weather on your travel day through Montana because it has been a nasty winter. Can’t wait to hear more about trip and your new place!
Beverly says
I know you won’t be coming through North Carolina but our gas is $2.29. It varies as much as 10 cents a gallon from county to county and sometimes from little town to little town in the same county. I am loving all of your postings about the travel to the Northeast. I read some of the posts to my husband and we say you are a glutton for punishment going where there is so much snow. We get snow here (maybe flurries tomorrow) but rarely does the snow hang around more than a day. Safe travels.
UpstateNYer says
A healthy tip: Fill your body with mostly proteins at meal time. A plate full of carbs and sugars will make you sleepy on the drive ahead.
Kari says
Oh my word, 820 miles?!? That’s about double what we can stand in a day. Good for you! BTW, those cupcakes look amazing!
Marcia says
Yep. With kids who are 12 and 6, we are limited to about 6 hours (which turns into 9 with kids). Or: 450 miles.
FarmGirl says
There are so many things that go into gas prices that I couldn’t list them all, but here are a few. Transportation costs to the store (how far from the rack/terminal to the destination), wait times (say if the tanker is going to have to sit in traffic to get to the drop then extra rates may apply), taxes (all states vary and some are really high like here in Kansas), how far from the refinery is the the rack/terminal (adds to the cost), how many gallons is the store going through (stores that are higher volume will go through a tank faster than a low volume store so the gas in the tank could be higher or lower in cost depending on when it was delivered), and then competitive prices (what’s your competitor selling it for). Most c-stores make their money on inside sales and not so much at the pump.
Just thought I could give a little insight.
Enjoy your cross country trek! I have seen this great nation via car and it is majestic!!
Linda says
I’m sorry- you left out the biggest factor – GREED. Try tracking price per crude barrel relative to the cost at local pumps. It’s all a fantasy. We’re crossing the bridge, and the trolls set the fee to pass.
It’s like medicine.
FarmGirl says
I would hope that you mean greed at the refinery b/c I can guarantee you it is not greed at the pump by your local convenience store owner (at least not in the middle of the country). And comments like yours further my opinion that it is best just not to post. I was trying to give people an idea of all of the costs that go into a gallon of gas at your local c-store. You sound like a lovely person. I hope you have a great day!
Em says
Please don’t stop posting.
Denise says
Thanks, FarmGirl, for your clear explanation of all that goes into the pricing of gas. Those are things that most of us wouldn’t know about if you hadn’t explained it. As a prior (25 year) small business owner I always like supporting local store owners as much as possible vs big corporations like Costco. Even if I pay a bit more at least I am helping keep the small business owners alive. They are a part of the USA that I am so proud of.
Rita says
That is a long day but you are making good time. Hope you don’t run into any nasty weather. I have not eaten at a Cracker Barrel but why does that plate look like plastic tv dinner tray?
Jennifer says
That’s a to-go tray. Inside the restaurant, they serve food on heavy glass plates or bowls.
Rita says
Thanks. I sortof figured that after I asked!
Rita says
Forgot to wish you all a Happy 1st day of Spring 🙂
Amber in Bend Oregon says
Maybe it’s because Montana has a state income tax and Washington doesn’t? They get their money out of your either way I suppose. In Oregon, we pay a 9% state income tax but our gas prices are a little lower than WA.
E in Upstate NY says
If traveling I80-90 across northern Ohio, Cleveland, gas up before leave Ohio. It’ll be cheaper before you hit New York. And if you do the NY Thruway, fill up before getting on that road. Their prices are super high.
Have made many trips along that stretch of road. For a while was going to family once a month from NYS to southern Ohio.
Patty P says
Just another note about Thruway travel…if you actually get off the Thruway to get gas it can save you money too (rather than using the rest station gas pumps). There are many exits that have gas stations right off the exit that are often cheaper than the rest station gas pumps.
Kristin says
When driving cross country, I’m always a fan of pushing through and doing long days. Get it done! And relax later.
Julie says
If your trip takes you through Pennsylvania, you get to experience the highest gasoline tax in the nation, somewhere around $.58 per gallon.
Ame says
The charter school my son attended hosted Missoula Children’s Theater productions. I see they have a community theater as well.
http://mctinc.org/
My husband wants to move to Montana, but I just don’t like it that cold. Oregon is okay for me.
DH’s best friend and his wife just bought a house with acreage in some small town there and plan to retire next year out of California. He said he can’t wait to get out of California (he’s in San Jose) while the prices for houses are still high and he can get a good sales price.
Build yourself a greenhouse if the property you move to doesn’t have one! 😉
Barbara Gantt says
Im in Southern Vermont. Snow will start sometime tomorrow. From there to Boston, snow totals will be from 3 to 10 inches. Drive careful.
Carol says
Missoula, or Billings?
Diane says
I’ll put in another vote for the Gas Buddy app. I especially like it when traveling. In some areas across the country, gas stations are less frequent. On those long trips, I start planning my next fuel stop when I get to 1/2 a tank. I know it sounds silly, but I think it gives you plenty of wiggle room and stress free knowledge that fueling is never an issue. This especially holds for the truck as it is a vehicle that you are not familiar with as your own car.
Safe travels!
Stacey says
Cracker Barrel is my FAVORITE restaurant!
Debbie says
We drove out of Fairbanks, to the coast of Virginia years ago. We were pulling a trailer, had and cat and a 4 year old in the vehicle. That was a very interesting trip, especially as the cat wasn’t happy about the travel till about the 3rd day. So I know how you feel. And yes, Montana does have beautiful skies. I hope your trip goes as plans and the snow stays away.
Tracy says
Someone help me understand the appeal of Cracker Barrel? Always seems like just a lot of reheated, canned vegetables and greasy food. What am I missing?
MEM says
It depends on what you order. I crave their chicken and dumplings which do taste freshly made. I only get to eat there once a year, if that, so it’s a treat.
Marybeth says
So was it the best shake ever? I have to know.
Mavis Butterfield says
It was delicious! 🙂
Marybeth says
I’ve never met a milkshake I didn’t like. Have a safe trip.
HollyG says
You’re driving the opposite of our return home during the “Great Family Roadtrip of 2017”. On day 23 we drove from Missoula to Beavercreek, OR. We were there during the summer fires so no Big Sky for us although the views were still beautiful. If you have time to stop……Press Coffee in Glendive, MT was great – good coffee, nice snacks, friendly people and a really cool old greenhouse. Our Day 22 was Fargo, ND to Missoula. Where re you headed?
Stacey says
It’s called a car picnic Mavis. I’ve been sharing those with my daughter forever. Have fun on your journey. Safe travels.
Angela D. says
My teenage daughter and I prefer to eat our fast-food in the comfort of our own vehicle, often while parked in the parking lot, people watching and making comments. Fun times!
Pat says
I’m assuming since your posts are behind that you’ve already reached your destination. In the nick of time I might add. Heavy snow coming here to West Virginia tonight and headed northeast where they’re expecting a ton. I’m just remembering what you said last week about opening your door to snow this week!
Kim says
Wow, Mavis, such a long road trip! Petrol (gas) here in the UK is $7 per gallon. Glad it’s cheaper for you! Love the shots of the rag hooking project in all the different locations.
Anesha says
Her Instagram just posted that she has arrived in New England – 3,000 miles in 4 days!! Welcome to New England, Mavis!
Tracy T says
Oh Mavis. I feel so bad for you and having to pay that ridiculous price for gas. I paid $2.19 on Monday. 🙁
Tracy T says
in Houston Texas 🙂
chickengrandma says
I am kind of new to this blog and loving it. WE certainly are kindred spirits even though you are a bit younger than I . I like leaving frugally, do crafts , have chickens and gardening. I love hearing about your moving days. One of your goals was to use up some clothing. I have been wearing the same 2 outfits most of the winter ! And they just won’t wear out-the older clothes were made more sturdy.
I am trying to figure out who are some of the people in your life. Who are the Girl, HH, Monkey boy, Mrs HB ?
We live in a medium size town and within 5 miles, gas prices could be .10 different. Why ??
Have a great trip and enjoy.
Tracy T says
Girl = Daughter
Monkey Boy = Son
HH – Handsome Husband
Mrs. HB = Mrs. Hillbilly – a friend of hers