DENVER -- MapQuest Inc. recently launched a portal, www.mapquest.com/gasprices, with information on gasoline prices at more than 100,000 gas stations around the country, as well as the location of stations offering diesel and alternative fuels, gasoline saving tips and more.
Finding stations online is one of the many place searches that users can perform with MapQuest's Points of Interest database, which contains more than 15 million places. Using pricing data from Oil Pricing Information [image-nocss] Service (OPIS), a provider of petroleum spot, rack and retail news and pricing information, which is updated up to seven times per day, the site allows users to easily find fuel stations, get maps and directions and check gasoline prices all in one place.
With information from the U.S. Department of Energy, consumers will also be able to find listings for alternative fuel stations, including diesel, biodiesel, CNG (compressed natural gas), E-85, electric, hydrogen, LPG (propane) and LNG (liquefied natural gas). The site will also include links and information about alternative-fueled vehicles to help consumers become knowledgeable about this emerging market.
In addition, the site will display the highest and lowest gasoline prices in the country and in the coming months will be accessible on cell phones via MapQuest Mobile with a link to directions.
The integration with MapQuest's directions feature allows consumers to map out a route to the lowest-priced stations. Also, it offers the ability to pinpoint the most convenient stations located close to the user by entering in an address, city, state and zip; the ability to zoom in and out on the map and pan around to see all station locations in a specified area; the ability to locate the type of fuel stations a consumer wants by fuel type and grade, such as premium gasoline or E85; and the ability to find convenient stations by brand and search for the most convenient stations up to a 50 mile radius.
Forthcoming plans for the site include a gasoline price trip calculator, fuel station amenities and other mapping features.
MapQuest, which offers Internet, wireless and business solutions that help people find places, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL LLC, is based in Denver.
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