As the debate begins again on whether New Jersey should allow self-serve gasoline, the question arises about the price difference between self-serve and full-serve in neighboring states.

(Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images)
(Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images)
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Sal Risalvato, head of the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association said that in Pennsylvania, self-serve gas is about 15-20 cents per gallon cheaper.

"Some full service stations may only be a nickel or dime more if they offer both prices," said Patrick DeHaan senior petroleum analyst for gasbuddy.com. "It is very difficult to look at neighboring states because there are so many other factors that play into it. And right now, Pennsylvania and New York taxes are certainly far higher than New Jersey."

DeHann says in places such as New York, self-serve gas can actually cost up to 30 cents less than full-serve.

"Certainly in the states where motorists are allowed to fuel themselves, full-service gas stations are rapidly disappearing because it does cost stations money to pay those employees, to pay them benefits, to pay them time off," he said.

In addition, there is a more notable difference between paying by cash and if you pay with credit card, because there  is an 8 to 10-cent difference in what the retailer makes if he has to process and pay the processing fee for credit cards.

Tom Kloza with the Oil Price Information Service believe that is self-serve stations become available, most people will take advantage of the opportunity to pump their own gas.

"The reality is, once you go to self serve, 90 percent of the population will use self-serve," Kloza said.

He said it's typical to see self-serve prices that are cheaper than full-serve from state to state, "because we have a lot of gasoline that is sold at Costcos and Wawas and Quick Cheks it is a pretty competitive market."

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