Fact #344: November 1, 2004
Refueling Stations
In 2004, approximately 168,000 retail locations in the United States sell fuel to the public. The number of refueling stations has been declining over the past 10 years due, in part, to increased competition, stricter environmental regulations, and shrinking gasoline profit margins. The number of vehicles on the road is increasing; therefore, the ratio of vehicles to fueling stations is rising.
Number of Motor Fuel Stations, 1994–2004
Number of Vehicles per Station, 1994–2002
Supporting Information
| Year | Number of Stations | Thousand Vehicles per Station |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 202,878 | 0.93 |
| 1995 | 195,455 | 0.99 |
| 1996 | 190,246 | 1.04 |
| 1997 | 187,892 | 1.07 |
| 1998 | 182,596 | 1.12 |
| 1999 | 180,567 | 1.16 |
| 2000 | 175,941 | 1.21 |
| 2001 | 172,169 | 1.26 |
| 2002 | 170,018 | 1.30 |
| 2003 | 167,571 | not available |
| 2004 | 167,346 | not available |
|
Source: National Petroleum News, 2004 Station Count and the Transportation Energy Data Book. | ||
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