Small pumps fuel quality?

I got bad fuel at a small station, sucks! Mileage went down 1mpg. Since it is pretty much all the same, as I understand it, the big boys turn over their fuel quicker, less time sitting in the tanks suffering from condensation, less sediment sitting in the tanks because of turn over. Also, they will be changing their filters more often to keep flow rate high. As a rule of thumb for me, I try to stick with the stations that have activity, rather than the 1 or 2 pump stations that seem like you're the first and only truck that day. Diesel does degrade but can be stored for 6-12 months. Beyond that, it's all a crap shoot.

 

I buy fuel at small independent stops all the time. Haven’t been to a big 3 chain stop in years. I generally shop around for non bio diesel and get cheaper fuel as well. Even with those deep fleet discounts
That some companies get from the big chains. I can usually find fuel pretty close to sand price at times.

 

I fuel at liberty travel centers in NEPA and most times their 30c or so cheaper than the big chains. There's one next to the flying J in gibson pa. Im surprised more people don't fuel there. Brand new pumps and like 10 islands. I can pull up there at 6am and not have wait when the hook next door will be 3 deep