Journey required nine gas stops with prices ranging from $3.89 to $4.59 per gallon.
A Subaru Crosstrek owner spent $457 on fuel driving from Wisconsin to Arizona. Emily Fecteau documented every gas stop. Prices hit $4.59 per gallon.
The cross-country journey highlights fuel cost pressures facing drivers amid national gasoline prices averaging $4.49 per gallon for regular grade, according to Advisor Perspectives data published Tuesday. California drivers pay $6.14 per gallon compared to Texas at $3.97, marking regional disparities that affect long-distance travel budgets.
Nine Stops Track Rising Fuel Bills
Fecteau's journey required nine refueling stops across seven states. QuikTrip in Wisconsin charged $53.85 for the first fill-up. Casey's in Colfax, Iowa demanded $57.52 at $4.39 per gallon, pushing the total to $111.13. Shell in Cameron, Missouri added $53.83 at $4.25 per gallon. FuelIntreat in Emporia, Kansas cost $44.86. The calculation shows her first-day spending reached $207.21 before entering day two. Phillips 66 in Greenberg, Kansas charged $51.19 at $4.10 per gallon. Love's in Boise City, Oklahoma provided the cheapest fuel at $3.89 per gallon for $36.44. Two New Mexico stops - Springer at $4.49 per gallon for $26.28 and Santa Fe Maverick at $4.27 per gallon for $36.97 - preceded the final Arizona Circle K charge of $46.91 at $4.59 per gallon.
Security Concerns Skip Documentation
Fecteau avoided recording at one location due to safety worries. Her video explanation stated she "didn't record herself purchasing gas because she felt uncomfortable with her surroundings" at the Springer, New Mexico stop. The brief fill-up cost $26.28 at $4.49 per gallon because she "didn't want to stay there longer than she had to." This partial refuel represented her lowest single transaction during the nine-stop journey. The Springer location marked her entry into New Mexico, where she would make three total stops before reaching Arizona. Documentation resumed at the Santa Fe Maverick station, where she spent $36.97 filling the Crosstrek's tank. Her systematic receipt collection provided precise tracking for eight of nine transactions across the multi-state route.
Regional Price Gaps Exceed Dollar Mark
Fuel prices varied by 70 cents per gallon across Fecteau's route, from Oklahoma's $3.89 to Arizona's $4.59. These variations reflect broader national disparities where California drivers pay $6.14 per gallon while Texas averages $3.97. The $2.17 spread between highest and lowest state averages demonstrates regional fuel market fragmentation. Fecteau's journey covered states with prices below the $4.49 national average - Oklahoma at $3.89 and Kansas at $4.10 - alongside premium markets like Iowa at $4.39. Only Georgia, Mississippi and Texas maintain sub-$4.00 average pricing, according to Advisor Perspectives analysis. Her experience mirrors broader consumer challenges as fuel costs impact transportation economics. The 60% regular gasoline price increase since January 2026 affects long-distance travel planning across demographic segments.
Energy Secretary Forecasts 2027 Relief
Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified before Congress on April 16th, 2026 that gasoline prices may not drop below $3.00 per gallon until 2027. His congressional hearing testimony, reported by The Guardian, acknowledged difficulty determining precise timing for price relief. Wright suggested the $3.00 threshold could be reached in late 2026 or 2027. Crude oil costs compose 52.6% of gasoline expenses, with refining accounting for 18.7%, distribution and marketing at 14.3%, and taxes consuming 14.4%. West Texas Intermediate crude closed Monday at $104.38 per barrel, marking a 6.4% weekly increase. President Donald Trump linked price reductions to resolution of the U.S.-Iran conflict, according to Newsweek reporting from April. The Secretary's timeline suggests Fecteau's $457 cross-country fuel bill represents pricing levels that may persist through 2026.
Fecteau's Crosstrek averaged 11.2 fills across 2,100 miles, indicating roughly 23 miles per gallon during highway-heavy driving conditions. Her documentation excluded one Arizona downhill segment where refueling proved unnecessary. Gas station selection varied from major chains like Shell and Phillips 66 to regional operators across the seven-state corridor. The complete Subaru model history and specifications are catalogued in the Global Auto Index manufacturer database.
