Patrick De Haan on LinkedIn: PDI and GasBuddy Release New “Tracking Convenience Report: From the Pump… (2024)

So, 15 years deserves a few more words than that last post.It seems like yesterday. Time has flown. Getting the call from Dust and Jas up in Canada to fly to a city I couldn't even pronounce. Just a dude that was obsessed with gas prices. A dude that was a service writer at Sears Auto when teaming up with a prof at GVSU, the school I dropped out of, to work. That blog, The Gas Game, and trying to win the "game" while driving to Allendale set me on this odd course to work for a company that helps guide motorists to the best place to fill. It's included stops in NYC during Superstorm Sandy, calls with FEMA, DHS, and two trips to the White House. A trip to Florida Division of Emergency Management, embeded with Florida's emergency responders. Staying on cots in an arena with active hurricane warnings. Helping to aid resources to where it needed to go. Finding evacuation routes with appropriate amounts of fuel. Leaning in on decisions on what routes to make a priority.Then there's the endless talking. Late nights talking to political pundits like Hannity, programs like CNN, CNBC, and so many more. And it all started with nothing. Just a curiousity, an obsession. How fortunate and blessed the first 15 years have been. I'm eternally thankful to all my friends and family, without crossing your path, perhaps I would have wandered elsewhere. Management that has trusted me to do what I think is best for the company. What faith to let just a dude chart his path. To my folks, who of course let this silly addiction to economics go. Who for Christmas gave me a super embarrassing, yet positive memory of all the times I went on WOOD TV and WZZM in hoodies, or whatever, before I went all professional. To my wife, who's helped me navigate 14 city blocks to get from NBC to CNN downtown Chicago in less than 5 minutes- instructing the cabby to do whatever it takes- then climbing stairs. Then pushing me to go back and finish my education over a decade later, graduating with a degree in Business Economics.To my team, my bosses, for letting the curiousity flourish. For those behind the curtains pulling data for me. For the dev team making tools we can all use. We're all there for those moments. To management for letting me passionate and allowing me to chart a course, even around sharp corners.The time has flashed by, and now as I write this, the moments sink in- without each and every one of your support, encouragement, who knows where I'd be. But I do know that I have zero regrets. And who knows, 15 years from now, maybe I'll have some more stories.

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Last week marked 15 years at GasBuddy, and nearly 20 years tracking #gasprices, what a ride its been. I'm blessed and thankful for those who've come along for the ride and are here by my side- cheers to your support over the years- thanks to you, I might do it another 15!

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Two in a row- Americans have been seeing #gasprices continue to fade ahead of Memorial Day. The national average is likely to continue to drift lower for now, but stay tuned with a busy hurricane season forecast... we could make another run at our 2024 peak later this summer. https://lnkd.in/gPQJF49f

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Jimmy has been an exemplary leader, guiding PDI to tremendous growth and opportunity over the years! Congrats on being a finalist!

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JUST recorded! LOTS to unpack, you'll want to tune in to today's @overabarrelshow episode! "Gas Prices Surge, Iran/Israel Escalations, CPI Jumps, a Warning to Some Motorists for a Big Jump" by Over a Barrel. https://lnkd.in/gHXW4Krg

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Fingers crossed!

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On this week's Over a Barrel podcast- cash, debit and credit, and why you're seeing more price options depending on how you pay! Plus, the SPR- how politicians have used the SPR and who's wanted to empty it as early as 2017- tune in to Over a Barrel where ever you listen to podcasts, or click this link: https://lnkd.in/gxz4-3Fy

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No joke- today, Americans will spend ~$1.3 billion on gasolineOf that amount:~$741 million is the cost of crude~$182 million is the cost to refine~$169 million is the cost of distrib/marketing~$214 million is taxes:~$145 million is state tax~$69 million is fed tax

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Ahh yes. 1982. The "good days" when gas was $1.35/gal. Or were they? The average yearly salary was $11,107 per person. It's the equivalent of paying $4.44/gal today. Today's national average ($3.55/gal) would be like paying $1.08/gal back then.

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