Why Are Gas Stations Clustered?

Question

Even I've never driven a vehicle in my life, I've always wondered why gas station are usually clustered within the same radiace? Can anyine provide a definite answer? Thanks very much!

Answer 1

Also zoning, would you want one next door?

Answer 2

They put them in noticeable, high traffic areas, such as corners.  So its better to be in direct competition with one another rather than be in a place where no one will see it.

Answer 3

It's about the almighty dollar.  Once upon a time, there were no stations in that radius.  Then one day, an oil company sent out a rep to determine if this untapped area had any promise as a site for a new station.  Once company A decided to put a station there, companies B thru Z watched company A's station like a hawk and decided, hey, there's some money to be made here, so they put up a station, too.

Next thing you know, there are a cluster of stations all trying to get their piece of the pie...

Answer 4

In addition to the competition, it makes sense that if the gas station is on one corner, only 2 directions of traffic will have easy access to it, the others have to cross the road. So it makes sense to caddy-corner stations to give maximum efficiency to gas station patrons ( and more choices ).

- The Gremlin Guy -