Hundred Dollar Fill Ups

While many experts have predicted that gasoline prices have stabilized around $3.90, that does not mean that the pain at the pump is equal around the country. Some places around the country have averages well over $4.50 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.

Hawaii has the highest state average price for gasoline at $4.67 a gallon, as of Monday. Alaska isn't far behind with gasoline prices averaging $4.30 for regular unleaded. In particular, the West Coast of America and the New England region have typically higher prices than other places around the country.

The price per gallon is one thing, but many experts say that it's the total at the pump that truly induces pain.
"When people fill up and see the price jump over $100, they're really going to sit up and take notice," said Eric Lyman of ALG.

And so have we. So we've put together a list of those $100-plus fill up vehicles and how much they might cost to fill up in different cities, based upon GasBuddy.com's Monday averages. Then we've found a suitable alternative for the same city that costs less to fill up and might get your farther on a dollar.

To get all the car news you want and need if you are an enthusiast who can't get enough, go here to download the Autoblog app for your smart-phone.

Bakersfield, Calif.
Average price for regular unleaded: $4.20

2012 Ford Raptor SVT
6.2-liter V-8
11 mpg city / 16 mpg highway
Tank size: 26 or 36 gallons
Cost to fill: $109.20 or $151.20

It doesn't matter which fuel tank you have with the off-roading king, the Ford Raptor SVT, even the 26 gallon tank will cost $110 to fill up. With a combined fuel economy of 13 mpg, the Raptor will suck down fuel like a sailor on shore leave at his first bottle of gin. An equally capable alternative might be...

Research the Ford SVT Raptor
Ford SVT Raptor Photos & Information
Ford SVT Raptor Specs
Ford SVT Raptor Local Dealer Price Quote

3.6-liter V-6
16 mpg city/ 20 mpg highway
Tank size: 22.5 gallons
Cost to fill: $94.50

... a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4x4. Get more off-roading miles per dollar in the iconic Wrangler. The smaller V-6 won't take away from the Jeep's capability and still give you a total range of 450 miles.

Research the Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler Photos & Information
Jeep Wrangler Specs
Jeep Wrangler Local Dealer Price Quote

Honolulu, Hawaii
Average price for regular unleaded: $4.48

2012 Toyota Tundra 4x4
5.7-liter V-8
13 mpg city / 17 mpg highway
Tank size: 26.4 gallons
Cost to fill: $118.27

It's big, it's powerful and it's a Toyota, but it still costs more than a C-Note to fill up. You're in Hawaii, how much heavy lifting do you really do? Maybe it's time to scale things back a little to a ...

Research the Toyota Tundra
Toyota Tundra Photos & Information
Toyota Tundra Specs
Toyota Tundra Local Dealer Price Quote

2.7-liter V-6
21 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
Fuel tank size: 21.1 gallons
Cost to fill: $94.53

... Toyota Tacoma. Small pickups are only small compared to full size trucks, which, nowadays are huge. But the top selling Tacoma provides much better gas mileage numbers than its Tundra counterpart. The Tacoma gets 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, that's 62 percent better in the city and 47 percent better on the highway. Plus, with the Tacoma, it's still easy enough to throw a surfboard in the bed and drive across the sand at the beach. Go on, live a little.

Research the Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma Photos & Information
Toyota Tacoma Specs
Toyota Tacoma Local Dealer Price Quote

Bridgeport, Conn.
Average price for regular unleaded: $4.18

2012 Audi Q7 diesel
3-liter 6 cylinder
17 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
Tank size: 26.4 gallons
Cost to fill: $110.35

If you thought gas prices were high in Bridgeport, just look at the diesel prices, which range between $4.25 and $4.50 a gallon. And while the Audi Q7 diesel can still take you 660 miles down the highway, it will cost a whopping $117.04 to fill the tank.

So save a few dollars at the pump and dump the Audi for ....

Research the Audi Q7 Diesel
Audi Q7 Diesel Photos & Information
Audi Q7 Diesel Specs
Audi Q7 Diesel Local Dealer Price Quote

3.6-liter V-6
17 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
Tank size: 22 gallons
Cost to fill: $91.96

The Buick Enclave offers lots of space, a third row and the advantage of using gas instead of more expensive diesel. Furthermore, it nearly matches the Q7 diesel on mileage. While it may not have as much cache as as Audi, spending less at the pump is always popular. And you can always tell your friends that an Enclave costs $70K in China and sells like hotcakes.

Research the Buick Enclave
Buick Enclave Photos & Information
Buick Enclave Specs
Buick Enclave Local Dealer Price Quote

Anchorage, Alaska
Average price for regular unleaded: $4.25

2012 Cadillac Escalade AWD
6.2-liter V-8
13 mpg city / 18 mpg highway
Tank size: 26 gallons
Cost to fill: $110.50

The current flagship for Cadillac, the Escalade comes filled with luxury and offers a great ride. But it's big tank and poor gas mileage make it a sucker at the pump. It may be the Cadillac of SUVs, but there is a better alternative that can still handle the snow and ice as well. And you don't even have to give up the Crest and Wreath badge, just get a...

Research the Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade Photos & Information
Cadillac Escalade Specs
Cadillac Escalade Local Dealer Price Quote

3.6-liter V-6
16 mpg city / 23 mpg highway
Tank size: 21 gallons
Cost to fill tank: $89.25

... Cadillac SRX with all-wheel drive. Sure, it's smaller than the Escalade, but the SRX crossover offers a great all-wheel drive system that won't slip on the ice and it is more frugal on the open road, managing 23 mpg on the highway. It also comes with lots of storage space behind the second row to carry survival gear for the entire family.

Research the Cadillac SRX
Cadillac SRX Photos & Information
Cadillac SRX Specs
Cadillac SRX Local Dealer Price Quote

Miami, Florida
Average price for regular unleaded: $4.00

2012 Ford Expedition 4x4
5.4-liter V-8
13 mpg city / 18 mpg highway
Tank size: 28 or 33 gallons
Cost to fill: $112 or $132

It's a behemoth of an SUV when only a big crossover is probably needed. But for big families on the move, there are few better vehicles. That doesn't help at the pump, where the Expedition can cost up to $132 to fill up in Miami with the optional 33 gallon fuel tank. So why not save a few dollars by swapping out the Expedition but staying within the Ford family for...

Research the Ford Expedition
Ford Expedition Photos & Information
Ford Expedition Specs
Ford Expedition Local Dealer Price Quote

2-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder
20 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway
Tank size: 18.6 gallons
Cost to fill: $74.40

... a Ford Explorer. At nearly half the price to fill up, the fuel sipping Explorer can save an owner nearly $60 per fill up and still drive 521 miles on a single tank. It can still fit a big family, which can now spend more time at the beach and less at the pump.

Research the Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer Photos & Information
Ford Explorer Specs
Ford Explorer Local Dealer Price Quote

San Francisco, Calif.
Average price of regular unleaded: $4.29

2012 Ford E250 van
5.4-liter V-8
12 mpg city / 16 mpg highway
Tank size: 33 gallons
Cost to fill: $141.57

Working in San Francisco can eat up any company's profits, especially if the vehicle you drive manages just 12 mpg in the city. But there are few alternatives to a vehicle that can offer a big space inside and still carry all of the things you need. However, when it costs $143 to fill up, there has got to be a better alternative. So instead, go for...

Research the Ford E250
Ford E250 Photos & Information
Ford E250 Specs
Ford E250 Local Dealer Price Quote

2-liter four-cylinder
22 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
Tank size: 15.4 gallons
Cost to fill: $66.07

...the Ford Transit Connect. This van is light on its feet as well as your wallet, costing less than half the amount to fill up and still has lots of space behind the driver's seat to store everything you need. Additionally, Ford offers lots of customizable ways to create exactly the right look and feel for your new mobile workshop.

Research the Ford Transit Connect
Ford Transit Connect Photos & Information
Ford Transit Connect Specs
Ford Transit Connect Local Dealer Price Quote

Eugene, Oregon
Average price of regular unleaded: $4.15

2012 Infiniti QX56
5.6-liter V-8
14 mpg city / 20 mpg highway
Tank size: (premium @ $4.40 a gallon) 26 gallons
Cost to fill: $114.40

It's big, not particularly efficient and costs nearly $120 to fill up in Eugene, Ore. One reason for the hefty price is that the QX56 wants premium fuel, which comes at a considerable market up. However, if you still want a powerful vehicle with three rows, there are still plenty of more economical alternatives, such as ...

Research the Infiniti QX56
Infiniti QX56 Photos & Information
Infiniti QX56 Specs
Infiniti QX56 Local Dealer Price Quote

3.7-liter V-6
16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
Tank size: 20.1
Cost to fill: $83.42

... the 2012 Mazda CX 9 with all-wheel drive. This three row crossover can get carry more than a hockey team and would make those Oregon mountain roads much more fun to drive through, with its lower center of gravity and more dynamic suspension. While the mileage is only slightly better, it still can take you nearly as far and only costs $83 to fill the tank with regular unleaded.

Research the Mazda CX-9
Mazda CX-9 Photos & Information
Mazda CX-9 Specs
Mazda CX-9 Local Dealer Price Quote

3.5-liter V-6
18 mpg city / 21 mpg highway
Tank size: 21 gallons
Cost to fill: $81.27

...the 2012 Honda Pilot. The Pilot still offers the mayor, a former college football player, plenty of space inside the cabin, as well as a solid ride, even on Detroit's pothole filled roads. But it's a little better on gas mileage, especially in city driving and doesn't even cost $80 to fill up in Motor City.

Research the Honda Pilot
Honda Pilot Photos & Information
Honda Pilot Specs
Honda Pilot Local Dealer Price Quote

Buffalo, N.Y.
Average price of regular unleaded: $4.11

2012 Range Rover
5-liter V-8
12 mpg city / 18 mpg highway
Tank size: 27.6 gallons
Cost to fill: $113.44

In Buffalo, the Range Rover may offer premium luxury and extreme capabilities to handle those heavy hitting snow days, but it also costs a bundle to keep the tank full. So why not consider a crossover that may not be as flamboyant but certainly nicer at the pump.

Research the Range Rover
Range Rover Photos & Information
Range Rover Specs
Range Rover Local Dealer Price Quote

3.6-liter 6-cylinder
16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
Tank size: 16.9 gallons
Cost to fill: $69.46

...the more efficient 2012 Subaru Tribeca will still get you through those heavy snow falls but do it a lot more efficient. Better yet, it Buffalo, it doesn't even cost $70 to fill up if the tank is bone dry. Think of all of the extra wings you might be able to get at the Sabres game.

The Tribeca is such a slow-seller for Subaru, despite, being a very good solid vehicle, the price should be good and you are very likely to be the only one in the neighborhood who owns one.

Research the Subaru Tribeca
Subaru Tribeca Photos & Information
Subaru Tribeca Specs
Subaru Tribeca Local Dealer Price Quote

Los Angeles, Calif.
Average price of regular unleaded: $4.23

2012 Mercedes S550
4.7-liter V-8
15 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
Tank size: 23.8 gallons
Cost to fill: $100.67

Perhaps people buying a $94,000 car don't worry about the $100 it costs to fill up the tank in Los Angeles, but they will get annoyed when the pump stops at the $75 limit and they have to reinsert their credit card into the pump. Time is money and 1 percenters have a tight schedule too. Maybe they should consider...

Research the Mercedes S550
Mercedes S550 Photos & Information
Mercedes S550 Specs
Mercedes S550 Local Dealer Price Quote

1-liter three-cylinder engine
34 mpg city/38 mpg highway
Fuel tank: 8.7 gallons
Cost to fill: $37.10

...a 2012 smart fortwo. Okay, we know this is a reach. But the smart is small, efficient and it is made by Mercedes-Benz, so you retain some of the brand cachet. Better yet, it won't get egged at occupier protests and doesn't even cost $40 to fill up with premium gas in Los Angeles.

Research the Smart ForTwo
Smart ForTwo Photos & Information
Smart ForTwo Specs
Smart ForTwo Local Dealer Price Quote