Is it worth it to drive farther for cheap gas?

Gasoline prices are rising, hitting $2.94 a gallon, according to data provided by AAA. And some analysts are saying prices could exceed $3 this spring before dropping.

I'm sure higher prices will encourage that common cost-benefit analysis: should I drive a little farther to pay less for gas? This Consumer Website of the Week should help.

Bankrate.com offers a calculator to help consumers determine how much they would save driving to a cheaper gas station to fill up.

I plugged in the numbers for my vehicle, using ...

... the cheapest gas reported on GasBuddy.com ($2.77 a gallon), at the 7-Eleven on 5920 Pulaski Highway, which is about 4 miles away from The Sun, with the most expensive gas in the area --- the BP on St. Paul Street at Mount Royal Avenue, at $2.96 per gallon.

Based on that estimate, someone driving my car could save $1.89. Would that be worth the extra minutes of driving out of my way? Maybe not. But if I found myself in that area for any other reason ... I'd definitely stop to fill up.

(photo: Monica Lopossay/Baltimore Sun)