By Ryan Pereira
Between tuition, textbooks, groceries and the occasional coffee (that somehow becomes a daily expense), the last thing students want to worry about is an expensive tank of gas. For those who commute to campus, work part-time or spend their weekends driving around Edmonton, gas prices can add up quickly— and judging by how quickly CUE’s parking lots fill up, there are a lot of you behind the wheel.
The good news? You don’t always have to stop at the first gas station you see (unless you have no gas). With prices varying across the city, knowing where to look can help keep a little more money in your wallet. According to CBC’s Gas Pricing Widget, here are some of the lowest gas prices in Edmonton on September 13th:
- Hughes (146.9¢) 24 South Ave, Spruce Grove
- Your Spot (148.9¢) 12111 54th St NW, Edmonton
- 7-Eleven (148.9¢) 1 Spruce Village Way, Spruce Grove
- Circle K (149.9¢) 370 Ebbers Blvd NW, Edmonton
- Husky (149.9¢) 624 King St, Spruce Grove
One easy way to compare prices before heading out, or while you’re out and have data, is GasBuddy. The website and app that lets you see current prices at stations across Canada, while allowing you to narrow your search to Edmonton and surrounding cities and counties. Instead of driving around hoping to find a cheaper option, you can check prices ahead of time and decide where it’s worth stopping.
GasBuddy also lets you narrow your search by neighbourhood, which is especially helpful if you are commuting from home to campus. You might find that the station a few minutes farther from campus or your house is significantly cheaper than the one right around the corner. Just remember to factor in the extra distance, because saving 10 cents a litre is not much of a deal if you spend the savings getting there.
But cheapest doesn’t always mean best. Price-comparison websites are a great starting point, but students should still use a little common sense before choosing a station. In April, Global News reported that numerous Edmonton-area drivers experienced vehicle problems after fuelling at a gas station in Southeast Edmonton. Mechanics found suspected water contamination in fuel taken from affected vehicles, with some cars stalling or failing to start shortly after fuelling. More than two dozen vehicles were reportedly being repaired by seven businesses, with some repairs costing more than $1,000.
Mechanics say watered-down fuel is rare, so there is no need to panic every time you see a low price. Still, it’s a good reminder to check recent reviews or local reports before chasing the absolute cheapest price. Saving a few dollars at the pump is great. Saving a few dollars only to spend more than $1,000 fixing your car? Not quite the student discount we were looking for.
