A Photo Gallery of America’s 1970s Gas Stations: Lines, Flags, and Fuel Scarcity

The summer of 1979 turned the mundane act of filling up your car into a spectacle of patience, frustration, and improvisation. Across America, lines of vehicles snaked around blocks, drivers clutching coupons or anxiously watching flag colors flutter in the wind. A nation built on the freedom of the open road suddenly queued at the curb, rationed to five gallons at a time. This was the era of the fuel crisis—a moment that shifted daily habits, spawned new rules, and even turned local gas stations into battlegrounds of privilege and persistence. Colorful flags, “No Gas” signs, and makeshift shortages became part of everyday scenery from Portland to Maryland, each snapshot a time capsule of uncertainty and adaptation. From quirky rationing tricks to the innovative odd-even license schemes, these 25 images capture not just lines of cars, but a chapter of American life where every drop mattered. Here is the story of the 1970s gas crunch, as seen through the faces of stations, signs, and those who waited.

Soul of the Shortage: Maryland’s Snaking Gas Lines, June 1979

Long, winding lines of cars in Maryland became an iconic scene of 1979 as Americans waited, engines idling, hoping the pumps wouldn’t run dry.

“No Gas Today”: Oregon Service Stations on Shutdown Alert

Faced with shortage, Oregon station owners displayed blunt “No Gas” signs, shuttering pumps while keeping doors open for snacks and smokes.

Last in Line: “Sorry” Signs Mark the Final Fuel-Up in Portland

Portland stations rationed hope and fuel, placing “Sorry” placards on the bumper of the last lucky driver to snag a tankful before supplies ran out.

Locals Only: Tigard Dealer Pumps for Regulars Amid the Crunch

In Tigard, loyalty mattered—dealers served only long-term customers, leaving strangers and newcomers to search elsewhere for precious gasoline.

Shortage Statements: Portland’s Gas Stations Broadcast Their Limits

Throughout Portland, bold signage warned drivers of the city’s new reality: long lines, strict limits, and sudden pump closures were the norm.

Dawn Scramble: Five-Gallon Rationing at Portland’s Pumps

Early risers, hoping five gallons would get them through the week, crowded Portland’s gas stations at sunrise, triggering new allocation plans.

Two Gallons Only: Police Direct Fuel-Hungry Traffic in Portland

With tempers as tight as supply, Portland traffic officers kept the peace and ushered drivers, two gallons per customer, through ever-narrowing lanes.

Flag Warnings: The Color Code Era Begins in Portland

Stations in Oregon developed a simple system: a flag's color spelled out your odds for fuel—green for all, yellow for the select, red for none.

License Logic: Odd-Even Number Rationing on Portland Streets

Oregon introduced a “license lottery”: only odd or even plate holders could fuel up on matching days—Saturdays being the crowd-pleasing free-for-all.

Regulars Rewarded: Portland’s Private Customer Clubs at the Pump

Before fair rules, certain stations reserved fuel for regulars—making friendship nearly as crucial as a full tank in 1970s Portland.

Appointment Only: Personalized Fueling Amid Oregon’s Restrictions

Appointment-based fueling emerged, with phone calls and notes exchanged before the state-wide odd-even rationing plan streamlined the chaos.

Short Supply, Long Faces: The June ’73 Scarcity Hits Portland

Portland’s 1973 gasoline shortage brought frustration and uncertainty—drivers jostled for a shot at a pump, far from guaranteed a full tank.

Even Days Only: Ration Days Dictated by Your License in Portland

License digit matched the day; even-numbered vehicles filled their tanks, all under watchful eyes—innovative strategy meeting desperate necessity.

Out of Luck: Empty Tanks and Standing with a Can in Portland

When the car quit before the line advanced, Oregonians simply grabbed a gas can and joined the queue on foot.

Business Suits and Hitchhiking: Beaverton’s Last Resort

Even white-collar commuters resorted to hitchhiking, thumbing for rides while their sedans sat empty and idle.

Gas Coupons: The City’s Fueling Lifeline, February 1974

Official city vehicles relied on ration coupons—strictly five gallons per page—every gallon documented to fight fraud and maintain order.

Green, Yellow, Red: Flag Code on Display at Portland’s Pumps

Gas station flag codes dictated everyone’s chances: green for go, yellow to proceed with caution, and red to forget about filling up entirely.

Closed by Noon: Interstate 5 Fuel Desert in Oregon, 1973

By midday, pumps on Interstate 5 were already closed, stranding road-trippers and truckers alike in a search for the next open station.

Sold Out: Portland Bicyclists Find Fuel-Free Travel in 1974

When gas was gone, cyclists were kings—breezing past SOLD OUT signs while motorists faced another day “running on empty.”

Red Flag Leadership: Oregon’s Arco Dealer Takes the Fight to D.C.

No gas? No defeat—Portland’s Arco dealer became an advocate, waving the red flag all the way to Washington, D.C. for help.

Five-Gallon Limits: Solid Lines and Strict Rationing in December ‘73

A long snake of cars meant one thing: first-come, first-served—usually limited to five precious gallons per driver and a lot of luck.

Fuel Only for Doctors: Selective Service at Portland’s Pumps

Some Oregon stations set their sights on essential services, pumping fuel for doctors only—a move ruled legal in crisis conditions.

May 1973: Cleveland’s Glimpse of an Energy Emergency

Cleveland joins the national narrative—signs announcing “Energy Crisis” foreshadowed shortages soon to ripple across the entire country.

Flag Policy Explained: Oregon Stations Put Signs Front and Center

Oregon stations made flag meanings unmistakably clear—handwritten signs ensured no one doubted their chances before they pulled in.

Reduced Hours, Reduced Hope: Oak Grove’s Sunday Shutouts

Oak Grove’s handmade “shorter hours” sign captured the exhaustion and resignation of fuel crises—Sundays saw stations silent and streets a bit emptier.