Gas Money Offers

[couponscholar]

A question that might seem trivial, but really starts to matter a lot with these volatile gas prices...

If someone offers to pay gas money if you drive them (to another city, when you wouldn't be making the trip except that they asked, like picking up at the airport or something): do you calculate the cost of gas based on the price you paid for gas currently in your car, or the price you will have to pay to replace the gas that has been used.

Lately, this can matter because gas changes so much week to week, even day to day. It can also make a big difference if you are driving long distances, so you will be in a different geographic region when you need to fill up again.

Obviously, most people only volunteer to drive long distances for friends/ family that they love dearly. Don't worry, I don't present my family members with an itemized bill for travel expenses!

But, in this economy, sometimes people do offer to pay for gas (greatly appreciated!), and I was just wondering which number other people use in their mental calculations.

[snafu4me]

current gas prices

[ladywaterwind]

Current gas prices. The money they are offering will be used for gas, and since the prices fluctuate, it would be better to be paid the price you will need to fill up on instead of the price you filled up on before you used the gas to take them where they need to go.

[darkwing932]

You guys really calculate the exact amount of gas your using and charge, (so to speak), the person according to that? Really?

Everyone I know has always just offered me $10 or $20, depending on where we were going, and that is that. I would never have thought to actually calculate the mileage and charge based on current prices.

I guess you learn something new everyday.

[Castingbread]

Another idea would be to fill your tank before you pick them up and then fill it when your round trip is done and it is the exact amount.