Sullivan County gas prices at the pump best in Newport

By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — Where do motorists get the best bang for their buck when purchasing gasoline in Sullivan county and western Merrimack County?

Ask any driver living in Newport and the answer is really easy.

It’s Newport.

While it wasn’t always that way, if Newport wasn’t No. 1 it usually hung in there at No. 2 or was in a tie for the top spot.

And why is that?

Without conducting an exhaustive probe and searching for reasons, its likely Newport motorists have no intention of seeking an answer. After all, why spoil a good thing.

The word is out, however. Ask motorists in other area communities what town has the least expensive gasoline and most will know its Newport.

To support the Newport Theory, all you have to do is ride around to area communities in Sullivan County and a handful in Merrimack County and check out the prices on the signs in front of each outlet.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, after gassing up in Newport, I headed out to make the rounds and a little over 100 miles later those numbers were carefully recorded. When a brand of gas was available on the sign or at the pumps, that fact was also written down following the name of the store.

At the end of this story that list, by community, is included for anyone to study. It might even change by the time this article goes to press. There was a change Tuesday at four of the six Newport outlets that increased by a penny or two and in one case by four cents. Those numbers replaced the original readings from Sunday.

But Newporters shouldn’t worry. Their town is still No. 1.

For comparison purposes GasBuddy, The Authoritative Voice on Pump Prices, provided some interesting numbers, well worth sharing.

As of 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, the average per gallon price for regular gasoline in New Hampshire stood at $2.771 a gallon.

And in the event you may have forgotten, here are some records going back 10 years to 2008:

Highest Recorded Average, 7/8/08, $4.032

Lowest Recorded Average, 1/2/09, $1.584

Highest Average This Year, 5/26/18, $2.902

Lowest Average This Year, 1/2/18, 2.440

Highest Average Last Year, 9/8/17

Lowest Average Last Year, 3/28/12

Highest Average on This Day, 9/25/12, 3.854

Lowest Average on this Day, 9/25/16, $2.122

Area Gas Prices

ASCUTNEY

Jiffy Mart (Irving), 2.85

Sandri (Sunoco), 2.85

Ascutney Market, (Gulf), 2.83

CHARLESTOWN

Jiffy Mart (Citgo), $2.77

CLAREMONT

Cumberland Farms, Washington St., 2.81 (2.71, Smart Pay Member)

Cumberland Farms, Pleasant St., 2.81 (2.71 Smart Pay Member)

T-Bird, Washington St., (Citgo), 2.81

T-Bird, Charlestown Road, (Citgo) 2.81

Shell, Washington St., 2.83

Birney’s Convenience Store, (Irving), 2.81

Jiffy Mart, North and Elm, (Citgo), 2.81

Mobil, Pleasant St., (2.81)

GEORGES MILLS

Georges Mills General Store, (Irving), 2.84

GRANTHAM

Rum Brook Market, (Irving), $2.79

Circle K (Irving), 2.79

NEW LONDON

Evans Expressmart (Gulf), 2.79

Jake’s Market and Deli, (Irving), 2.84

NEWPORT

Newport Meat Market, 2.66

Circle K (Irving), 2.71 (Irving Debit, 2.65)

Bocko’s (Mobil), 2.68 (5 cents off a gallon on Tuesdays)

Jiffy Mart, (Shell), 2.69

Shop Express, 2.68 (5 cent off a gallon on Tuesdays and Fridays)

T-Bird, (Citgo), 2.73

SUNAPEE

Evans Expressmart, (Gulf), 2.79