How much did a gallon of gas cost when you first started driving?

The funny thing about "rationing" back in the early 1970's is: I still drove everywhere and anywhere I wanted (and so did my family and friends). Which makes me ask the question, was there really a "shortage"? If only one station allowed 10 gallons max, what's to stop one from driving to the next station for another 10 gallons? It seemed like it was just hocus-pocus really.