I Was Shocked by the Most Popular Gas Station in New England

Here in the United States, gas stations are one of the most frequented types of businesses.

Don't believe me? Think about it, with the exception of grocery stores, can you name another type of business that everyone needs to visit occasionally?

If you have a gas or diesel-powered vehicle, you need to make regular visits to a gas station. The only exception would be if you had an oil well and a refinery in your backyard.

The First Gas Stations

According to Convenience.org, the first gas station opened in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1905. The gas station was opened by the Automobile Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Shell Corporation.

Alternatively, some people say the first gas station opened in Seattle in 1907.

Regardless of where the first gas station was located, they were not like what we have today. Back then, a general store became a gas station by adding a tank of gasoline out behind the store. A customer would put the gas into a gas can and bring it around the store to where their car was parked.

The first drive-up gas station did not open until several years later. The article explains that, in 1913, the Gulf Refining Company opened a gas station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On the first day, it was open, the gas station sold 30 gallons of gas at 27 cents per gallon. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to $6.39 per gallon. So, in some ways, we really can't complain that much about what we are paying for gas.

The Most Popular Gas Station in New England

A recent article on the Free Bets website breaks down the most popular gas stations in each state.

According to the article, the most popular gas station throughout New England is Cumberland Farms.

It was named the most popular gas station in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Cumberland Farms started, not surprisingly, as a farm in 1939. The farm, which had been purchased by Vasilios and Aphrodite Haseotes, was located in the town of Cumberland, Rhode Island.

This is kind of ironic considering that Cumberland Farms is not the most popular gas station in Rhode Island. That honor goes to Jacksons.

Cumberland Farms is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts. As of 2024, the chain has 566 locations spread across New England, New York, and Florida.

The gas station & convenience store, known for amazing Cumberland Farms branded products and cheap iced coffee, has become ingrained in New England culture. For some, the brand is right up there with L.L. Bean, the Patriots, and Dunkin'.