Birmingham, AL
6 stations
LiveUpdated Jun 15Gas prices near 35242
Birmingham, AL · AL average $3.85/gal
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Birmingham, AL · 35242
- Cheapest
- $3.45/gal
- Area avg
- $3.85/gal
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Finding cheap gas in Birmingham (35242)
The U.S. 280 corridor defines 35242, the booming Greystone, Meadowbrook, and Inverness district that sits mostly in Shelby County rather than Jefferson. That county line matters at the pump, since Shelby's sales-tax structure differs from Jefferson's, and the 280 stations price within that local tax environment as they compete for one of the metro's busiest commercial stretches.
Highway 280 between I-459 and the Narrows is six lanes of near-constant traffic, and the fuel stations strung along it from Inverness out toward Chelsea fight hard for the commuter business. That competition generally holds prices reasonable despite the affluent rooftops in the surrounding subdivisions.
Filling up along the main 280 run, where stations sit close together, usually beats waiting until you are out toward Greystone or Chelsea, where the corridor opens up and the next competitor can be a good distance off. The dense middle of the corridor is where the pricing pressure lives.
Today’s lowest gas prices in 35242
- 1. Shell at 4656 US-280 E offers regular at $3.45/gal (5.7 mi away).
- 2. Shell at 4705 US-280 E offers regular at $3.46/gal (8.2 mi away).
- 3. Circle K at 701 Key Dr offers regular at $3.47/gal (5.9 mi away).
- 4. MAPCO at 200 Inverness Center Dr, offers regular at $3.47/gal (5.7 mi away).
- 5. RaceWay at 5349 US-280 S offers regular at $3.49/gal (20.5 mi away).
Prices are aggregated from station-level data and refreshed daily.
Nearby ZIP codes in Birmingham, AL
How to save more on gas in Birmingham
1. Use warehouse clubs
Costco and Sam’s Club typically price 15-25 cents per gallon below nearby stations. Membership pays for itself within a few fill-ups.
2. Fill up early in the week
Stations often raise prices Thursday for weekend demand. Fill up Monday through Wednesday to avoid the lift.
3. Keep tires properly inflated
Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent at current prices. Check pressure once a month.
4. Check back tomorrow
Prices can shift 10-20 cents overnight during volatile markets. A quick check before you leave home avoids paying yesterday’s spike.
5. Pay cash at split-pricing stations
Stations with cash and credit split pricing typically save an average of 10 cents per gallon when you pay cash.
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About gas prices in Alabama
Alabama's state gas tax sits at roughly 29 cents per gallon, and the state benefits from direct pipeline access to Gulf Coast refineries in Louisiana and Mississippi. Mobile and Birmingham typically post some of the lowest prices in the Southeast thanks to short supply distances. Murphy USA stations (often attached to Walmart) lead on value across smaller cities, while Costco and Sam's Club dominate the metro areas. Buc-ee's has expanded into Alabama and pulls aggressive low pricing at its Leeds and Athens locations. Coastal Mobile occasionally sees hurricane-related price spikes when Gulf refining capacity is disrupted.