SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — San Diego has hit records for the county’s highest gas price in history.
“Gas is really expensive,” said Douglas Guyton, a Coronado resident who paid over $80 to fill up his Mustang.
On Monday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County hit a record high of $4.744, one day after a run of 18 increases in 20 days ended.
As for this last year, it increased by $1.21. San Diegans can’t seem to keep up with the prices.
The average price of a gallon of gas nationally remains far below San Diego at $3.528. In California, it’s closer, at $4.728 compared to the county. With costly rent pay and expensive gas, many say that’s almost their entire paycheck gone in seconds.
CBS 8 crews drove around the county Monday and spotted prices ranging from $4.29 a gallon to $5.18. Interestingly, prices varied by as much as 50 cents a gallon at stations that were less than a block apart; so it definitely pays to compare the prices at stations that are relatively close to each other.
WATCH: Searching for the lowest gas prices in San Diego on Monday
“I usually spend 60 to 70 dollars and I ride a motorcycle so I can save gas. This is for my wife, so we don’t use it as much, but it still turns out to be very expensive,” said Clark Lamperd, who pumped gas at a Kearny Mesa Chevron. Lamperd left spending $65 on gas.
While the Golden State has always been hit hard with gas prices, even when it rises nationwide, according to AAA in the most recent months it's gotten even worse because of several reasons.
The country is dealing with inflation stemming from the economic recovery of the pandemic. There is also the geo-political tension between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is the third-largest oil producer in the world, and with supply being disrupted it is putting upward pressure on the crude oil price.
AAA spokesperson, Doug Shupe said, “The second reason is we are seeing an increase in demand for fuel, as many parts of the country start to warm up, people need gasoline to take those road trips to outdoor destinations.”
He also adds that the switchover of the ‘summer blend’ has also contributed to seeing those alarming numbers at the gas pumps.
“We are typically in the top 5 for highest prices. Right now California sits at the number one state in the nation, with the highest gas prices. So we know how frustrating this can be,” said Shupe.
Furthermore, Senate Bill 1 brings an automatic gas tax hike every summer, and many are hoping Governor Gavin Newsom can delay it this summer.
Meanwhile other locals are driving alternatives, like electric cars. However for those who don’t drive electric AAA says to follow the following to save on gas.
- Minimize your use of air conditioning. Even at highway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to operate the air conditioning compressor.
- Plan ahead to accomplish multiple errands in one trip, and whenever possible travel outside high-traffic times of day.
- If you own more than one car, use the most fuel efficient model that meets the needs of any given journey.
- Most importantly, shop around for the cheapest gas station to save on gas.