Big BP fan here. I have never noticed them in gas stations north of the NC border, but I think the first truck stop gas station after you cross it on 95 has them. But I would guess that almost all gas stations, even deep in the south, use canned boiled peanuts for the same reason you state but they aren't bad (the "peanut patch" brand frequently). When I make them myself I just use a crock pot and raw peanuts and they're ready the next day.