PHILADELPHIA - Americans love to drive their cars, trucks and SUVs, but cannot stand paying for gasoline, The Smart Set reports. A recent NACS survey found that 26 percent of respondents will drive 10 minutes out of their way to save three pennies per gallon at the pump ?" this despite the fact that those extra miles will eat up any cost savings.

As Americans, we are always grumbling about the cost of filling up. When gasoline hit $2 a gallon for the first time in May 2004, the complaining began. Gasoline reached $3 a gallon for the first time in September 2005, the complaints escalated. No matter the cost, gasoline costs way too much.

Pumping gasoline takes time while the driver watches the cost go up and up. Add that to the fact that gas stations advertise their prices on huge signs, and the reason why so many complain about pump prices becomes more clear. Another part of the reason we see fuel prices as too high is because the petroleum industry has done its job well. The first gasoline station opened in 1905, and today you can stop at one of more than 159,000 filling stations. The fueling industry has made filling up as easy as possible.

Gas mileage on cars today is much better than the vehicles of yesteryear, but that has likely contributed to Americans driving more miles each year. Check out the 2011 NACS Fuel Kit for more information on pump prices.