More than 200 residents said no wait is too long for a spot at the pump when there is $40 worth of free gas on the line.

Thursday morning was chaotic for drivers along Roxboro Street in Durham as hundreds tried their luck to be one of the lucky 200 to receive a $40 dollar gift card for gas.

Susan Fitzpatrick needed a free tank of gas desperately since she coasted into the Shell Station parking lots on fumes.

"I came here on 'E' and now I'm below 'E,'" Fitzpatrick said. "I'm just hoping I make it up the hill."

Durham Police officers directed cars into the Durham Stadium parking lot to ease up the traffic.

"We're going to the beach this weekend and this is a nice jump start on the trip," said free gas recipient, Jerry Spence. "The economy is a mess and when there's $40 dollars of free gas you have to take it."

The "Ultimate Gas Giveaway" sponsored by Verizon Wireless and Yellow Pages gave 200 customers a $40 gift card worth of free gas. Twenty-four gas giveaways took place on Thursday nationwide.

Many customers showed up before the sun came up to get in line for the gas. One couple parked their car Wednesday night in the parking lot of the gas station to be the first ones in line.

Verizon Wireless representatives pumped customers' gas and gave them a free phone book.

"We just want to give back to the community," said Chris Alexander with Verizon Wireless. "We're hoping it helps everyone with the Holiday weekend and we're hoping it helps them to go see their families."