“Dear PoPville,
Has anyone done a backstory on the gas station between Union Station and the Capitol with the crazy gas prices? What is the deal and why do federal vehicles use it? What’s the deal?”
We’ve talked about crazy gas station prices from time to time: September 26, 2017: Does Exxon’s Gas Come with a side of Bacon or something?
and more recently
June 17, 2025 “Gas price differences, what gives?” At that time readers replied:
“The station at VA Ave and Rock Creek Parkway for years had super high prices and it was because the owner was in a dispute with the gas supplier, so kept the prices so high they barely sold gas (those places make their $$ on snacks, etc.). I presume something similar with the southern most BP station at this intersection.”
and
“Gas stations that set their prices this high are either relying on another stream of income — snacks, as you mentioned, or a repair shop — and are only selling gas to maintain whatever permit or franchise they need, or are a preferred provider for a fleet operation (DPW, MPD, or a private large scale car/truck-dependent entity) that pays a contracted price lower than the publicly-advertised numbers.”
and
“I’ve heard some contracts require refilling gas at the nearest station, would explain why those near the Capitol are bonkers expensive. Maybe these two stations are playing that game, price is right style?”