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17 Photos Of Cheap Gas Showing Why Life Was Better In The Past

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Left: A person sits under a Mobil gasoline price sign displaying prices of 32.9 and 36.9 cents. Right: A person smiles while putting gas into a car at a service station, with prices of 48.9 and 49.9 cents visible. Both images are in black and white.

Cheap gas once made everyday driving and spontaneous road trips feel a lot easier on the wallet. From the 1960s through the early 2000s, filling the tank often cost a fraction of what it does today. These 17 photos capture a time when low fuel prices made hitting the road feel simpler, cheaper, and a little more carefree.

1. Pumping gas in the 1970s.

A woman stands beside a car at a gas station, smiling while refueling. Gas prices are displayed as 48.9 cents for unleaded and 49.9 cents for premium. A store with a Coca-Cola sign is visible in the background. The scene appears vintage.
u/j3434/via reddit

That car brand-new was probably around $3,000.

2. $5 for a car wash and a full tank.

A person in a red jacket stands in front of a red car parked outdoors, with a building and a blue truck in the background. Below, a receipt shows charges for unleaded gas, car wash, and a total of $5.90.
via reddit

This photo was taken in 1988 when prices were 74 cents per gallon.

3. 90 cents in the ’90s.

Two people stand leaning against a car in front of an old gas station sign displaying prices: Regular Full Serve at $1.03 and Self Serve at $0.92 per gallon. The photo is black and white, giving it a nostalgic feel.
u/blitzmama/via reddit

We love the prices, not the shredded tire.

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4. I can’t believe gas was ever this cheap in LA.

A woman in a purple dress refuels a classic black car at a gas station. The scene captures a retro vibe with other parked cars and vintage signage, including a gas price of $1.18 per gallon. Palm trees and buildings are visible in the background.
via reddit

Today, $6 per gallon is a good price in Los Angeles.

5. 16 gallons for $15.

A person with an afro hairstyle is pumping gas into a car at a Chevron station. The gas pump display reads $15.00 for 8 gallons, priced at $1.88 per gallon. The background shows other pumps and signs. The photo has a vintage look.
u/iconoclast63/via reddit

This anomaly could only happen in the ’70s.

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6. He’s headed up there to set the prices even cheaper than that.

A person in a white T-shirt and jeans is climbing a metal structure, holding onto a yellow and red gas station price sign. The prices displayed are 83.9 and 91.9. The sky is clear and blue.
u/toastypeanut/via reddit

Not only were gas prices cheaper, but policemen were also more lenient.

7. High prices didn’t even reach the ’90s.

A person stands next to a parked car, pointing at a sign for "Kum & Go" and "Burger King" with fuel prices listed as $1.09 per gallon for both regular unleaded and diesel. Several cars are visible in the background.
u/big-guy-small-car/via reddit

This photo is from 1996. Think about it, gas prices have risen 300% in just 30 years.

8. Non-leaded for just $.99.

Man fueling a classic GTO car at a gas station labeled "Musso Gasohol" in a vintage setting. Signs display gas prices from the era, and a Chevrolet truck is parked in the background. Another person is visible near the station.
via reddit

It looks like he’s admiring those cheap prices.

9. La Brea Ave LA, 1975.

A vintage street scene featuring Chevron and Texaco gas stations. Cars drive by under clear skies. An intersection sign reads "Beverly Blvd," with additional signage for gas prices. Hills are visible in the background, and a McDonald's sign appears in the distance.
u/baronvonbroccoli/via reddit

Today it seems impossible that it was $.57 in Los Angeles.

10. Bring back ’70s prices.

Vintage gas station sign displaying prices: Gulftane at 27 and 9/10 cents, Good Gulf at 29 and 9/10 cents, and Gulf No-nox at 33 and 9/10 cents.
u/unclesoaky/via reddit

Now they throw in the lead for free.

11. A free drink with a full tank, sign me up.

A vintage Exxon gas station sign displays prices: Regular Unleaded at 54.9 cents, Plus Unleaded at 70.9 cents, and Supreme Unleaded at 79.9 cents. The sign offers "Free Glass with Fill Up." Trees are visible in the background.
u/spareexplination7242/via reddit

In the ’70s they may not have loved these prices, but hey a free glass makes up for it.

12. Only a dollar a gallon in 1985.

Street scene featuring several signs, including ARCO gas prices and Sunset East Car Wash. The image also shows signs for Cocina Corina Mexican Tacos and other eateries. The scene includes traffic lights and a partially visible car.
via reddit

And even a dollar is considered expensive in the ’80s.

13. Come on 7/11, we can go back to how it was.

A vintage gas station sign displays gasoline prices: Regular at 79.9 cents, Unleaded at 82.9 cents, and Super Unleaded at 92.9 cents. The 7-Eleven logo is visible next to the sign. Bushes are in front of the signs.
u/in-jail-out-soon/via reddit

If gas was still this price, everyone would be delivering.

14. Who remembers prices this low?

A vintage photo of an Exxon gas station with a sign showing fuel prices: self-serve regular unleaded at 83.9 cents and regular unleaded at 88.9 cents. Adjacent, another sign advertises a car wash. Power lines and road signs are visible in the background.
u/damagedgoodz99824/via Reddit

A car wash was included with a full tank back when they cared about the customer.

15. People today would drive hours for these prices.

Black and white photo of a Mobil gas station at night with illuminated signs displaying gas prices of 32.9 and 36.9 cents. A person sits beneath a pole near the station. Gas pumps and a building are visible in the background.
u/jaykirsch/via reddit

People today would drive hours for that price.

16. $.17 a gallon during The Great Depression.

A man in a jumpsuit stands beside a vintage Conoco gas pump, holding a helmet and a rag. The pump displays old fuel prices, and the background has trees, a wooden fence, and a small building. The image is in black and white.
u/gnarlodious/via reddit

I’m not saying I’d want to go back in time to The Great Depression, but I’d take their prices.

17. I miss gas prices under a dollar.

Gas station sign displaying prices: Unleaded at 79 and 9/10 cents, Power Plus at 89 and 9/10 cents, and Power Premium at 99 and 9/10 cents.
via Reddit

Even in the early 2000s, price was around $1.00.

In the mood for more?

You can check out 17 Vintage Photos of Gas Stations From the 1950s-1970s, 25 Images of Classic Gas Stations or 15 Snapshots From When Gas Prices Were Actually Reasonable.

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Meet the Writer


Patrick Nichols

Patrick is a writer based in upstate New York, where he grew up and still calls home. Over the past year, he’s been diving deep into storytelling, especially tales rooted in history, the Wild West, lost treasures, and ancient artifacts. He’s also drawn to unsolved mysteries and whatever the internet can’t stop talking about.

Whether it’s a centuries-old legend or a bizarre internet rabbit hole, Patrick is always chasing the threads of a compelling story. When he’s not chasing stories, Pat’s probably hiking mountain trails with his dog, exploring new corners of the U.S., or doom-scrolling between hangouts with friends and family. He finds inspiration in nature, forgotten places, and random conversations—anything that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s city streets or backcountry paths, Patrick’s always on the lookout for the next great story.



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