If you've been filling up lately and wondering why the price changes so often — sometimes day to day — you're asking the right question. Here's the honest answer: gas pricing is complicated, and most stations don't explain it. We will.
Taxes Are the Biggest Driver You Never See
Before we make a single cent of margin, the government has already taken its share — multiple times. At Amoco BP Elburn, every gallon of regular gasoline carries over $0.98 in state and local taxes, including:
- Illinois State Motor Fuel Tax: $0.483/gal
- Federal Excise Tax (ethanol): $0.184/gal
- Kane County Motor Fuel Tax: $0.05/gal (increasing to $0.08 in July 2026)
- Ethanol Prepaid Sales Tax, Environmental fees, Underground Storage Tank fee
That's before freight, before the terminal charges the oil company, and before we see a penny. Taxes aren't a small slice of what you pay — they're the largest single component other than crude oil itself. When politicians talk about "gas companies gouging consumers," they rarely mention that government takes more per gallon than most retailers make in profit. In Illinois, that gap is one of the widest in the country.
Crude Oil Sets the Floor — and It Moves Daily
Gasoline prices at the pump follow crude oil, but with a lag. When West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude moves up $5 a barrel, that translates to roughly $0.12–$0.15/gal at the pump within a few days. The reverse is also true when crude drops.
In 2026, the Strait of Hormuz conflict added significant pressure — the strait handles roughly 20% of the world's seaborne oil. Any disruption there sends prices higher within days. When tensions ease, prices can drop just as fast.
How We Price — The Honest Version
We don't set one price and leave it. We watch the rack price — the wholesale price charged by BP's Des Plaines terminal — every day. When it moves, we evaluate:
If tomorrow's rack is lower: We wait to order, taking delivery after midnight to capture the cheaper rate.
This daily timing strategy can save hundreds to thousands of dollars per load. We pass those savings through in the form of a lower street price when we can.
Our margin on regular gasoline is often razor thin — sometimes less than $0.15/gallon — because we'd rather move volume at a fair price than sit on high-margin inventory while customers drive past us.
The Bottom Line
The next time you see our price change, it's not random. It reflects what we paid for the fuel in the ground — and our attempt to give you the best price we can while keeping the lights on.
We post our live prices at amoco.fun so you can check before you drive over.
Get Directions — 940 N Main St, Elburn IL📍 940 N Main Street, Elburn IL 60119 · ⏰ Open 24/7 · (630) 365-6671 · amoco.fun