Penguin,
We just returned from a circular drive of the western half of the U.S. The gas prices are more the further north we drove. While we were in Minnesota they were average. Nevada, Washington, and Idaho areas were the most expensive. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee was the cheapest.
By the time we went through Michigan and Chicago, we had been on the road for 3 weeks. We just did not care what the price was anymore.
Now days when we get to the gas pump we just hand over the wallet and the oldest child.