So what's up with gas prices???

[DLRfan31]

We're hearing in the news about significant price increases with gas in the Los Angeles area. Is it as bad as they're saying???

...just in time for our vacation!

damn greedy oil companies

 

[sonnyjane]

Well, we're up to $4.69 per gallon for regular unleaded...but I used to live up near you and remember gas being fairly expensive up there too, so I'm not sure how much of a jump it is for you.

 

[Ancient Purple]

There are several factors going on.

1. Demand is very high right now, but supply is weak due to one refinery being shut down due to power loss (it is back online, but will take days to process enough fuel to level out pricing).

2. Many companies are in the phase of transitioning their fuels from a summer blend to the winter blend to accommodate California standards (thus putting less supply on the market).

3. Since gasoline and oil are speculative markets, it is a very volatile market. So, if someone sneezes but speculators hear "supply drop," prices soar.

Some good news, however. Wholesale pricing is already declining in California, so this will mean pricing will start to decline on the retail market in about 3-7 days.

 

[mrsw94]

Yes, it's nuts. I'm just south of San Francisco. I drove by the cheapest gas in the area last night and it was $4.29/gal, last night it was $4.39. A friend in San Diego said their local Costco gas had a line 1/2 mile long with police directing traffic. We leave in a week and I'm hoping prices level out! Luckily I originally thought I was overbudgeting for gas, but I have a feeling I was right on track!

 

[6Smiles]

Wow... and I'm complaining about $3.47 a gallon. I'll stop complaining now and be happy that we only have to fill our gas tank once while we are in Cali...

Kris

 

[mrsw94]

Wow... and I'm complaining about $3.47 a gallon. I'll stop complaining now and be happy that we only have to fill our gas tank once while we are in Cali...

Kris

Wow. Yes, be happy!! There is an interresting map at gasbuddy.com that shows the entire US. The entire state of California is red. Ick.

 

[cari12]

We will be happy to pay those prices when we are there next week. We're from Canada and it's been over $5 per gallon for a long, long time here. We live close to the border and drive to WA state for gas, saves $30-$40 dollars per fill. We find usually Costco and Fred Meyer are the cheapest.

 

[Malcon10t]

There are several factors going on.

1. Demand is very high right now, but supply is weak due to one refinery being shut down due to power loss (it is back online, but will take days to process enough fuel to level out pricing).

2. Many companies are in the phase of transitioning their fuels from a summer blend to the winter blend to accommodate California standards (thus putting less supply on the market).

3. Since gasoline and oil are speculative markets, it is a very volatile market. So, if someone sneezes but speculators hear "supply drop," prices soar.

Some good news, however. Wholesale pricing is already declining in California, so this will mean pricing will start to decline on the retail market in about 3-7 days.

Bears repeating.

California has to refine our own gas, we don't buy from outside the state like other states can. So when a refinery inside CA goes down, prices shoot up quickly. And since we are at the between period for summer/winter formulas, it causes more of a hassle.

Give it a few days, don't buy more than you need, and it will come back down soon.

 

[DLRfan31]

Thanks for all the input! We leave tomorrow, hit Anaheim on Tuesday, so perhaps $$$ will go down, instead of up more.

I too budgeted extra for gas so its not a big deal. I just get frustrated with the way, like someone said, they "sneeze" and the prices go up. But I see that there may be a few "legitimate" reasons for the rise at this time.

No matter what, I'm ready to have the best vacation ever...this will be our last SoCal visit for at least a few years.

 

[DLRfan31]

Well, we're up to $4.69 per gallon for regular unleaded...but I used to live up near you and remember gas being fairly expensive up there too, so I'm not sure how much of a jump it is for you.

Today the avg is $4.09 but it is 3.92 at Fred Meyer. Might even be a little cheaper at Costco but no way will I get in one of those lines for 2 cents a gallon savings.

 

[Tif]

Is there a Sam's Club or Costco anywher near DL? What are the gas prices like there?

 

[cari12]

Is there a Fred Meyer close DLR? And if so what is the address?

 

[sonnyjane]

Is there a Fred Meyer close DLR? And if so what is the address?

Unfortunately the closest Fred Meyer to Disneyland is in Oregon

 

[mrsw94]

Is there a Sam's Club or Costco anywher near DL? What are the gas prices like there?

Looks like gas is about $4.75-$4.80 right around DL right now. Not sure if this link will work, but here's a map I found:
http://www.orangecountygasprices.co...lat=33.838318&long=-117.902519&sid=23343&ft=A

Otherwise, go to gasbuddy.com and put in Anaheim. I looked at the map and you can do better if you drive a little bit away from DL.

 

[Emteach]

We are in Canada and right now our gas is 1.28/ litre which works out to just under $5 a gallon in the US but we have been as high as 1.40/ litre lately which is about $5.35 a gallon. It is truly NUTS! I have a small car (hatchback and it costs about $45 to fill up and our van (we dont know what it would be because we never fill it, costs too much!)

 

[MillauFr]

Isn't the price of gas just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of your vacation?

I don't like the price of gas either, but rather than get upset about it I just reduced our family driving. We've only spent $1200 on gas this year. Not much compared to other expenses.

 

[Emteach]

We will be happy to pay those prices when we are there next week. We're from Canada and it's been over $5 per gallon for a long, long time here. We live close to the border and drive to WA state for gas, saves $30-$40 dollars per fill. We find usually Costco and Fred Meyer are the cheapest.

Just noticed your post. I know the gas prices here are unbearable! Unfortunately we are not close to the border but know if we were we would be there in a jiffy.

 

[HydroGuy]

damn greedy oil companies

Before throwing out there things like that you may want to try harder to understand the causes. As others have pointed out California as a state has chosen to require special blends of gas. That limits is supply.

I am not sure anyone is to blame for this except I guess ultimately California voters. You might as well say "damn ignorant voters" if you must try to blame some entity.

In the end when prices increase it is a signal that supply is reduced. Increased prices make some folks decide not to pursue discretionary purchases or ride their bike more. That is a good thing as it allows the reduced supply to be spread around more efficiently.

 

[lurpee]

I'm so impressed that this topic didn't turn political! Apparently the US is at the highest it's ever been for production and relying on it's own oil. I didn't know that about California but I heard that it was $6/gal around Palm Springs. It's around $4.15/gal in Oregon but I haven't looked today so I might be in for a shock.

 

[Kilala]

That will hurt me since my car has to use the middle grade gas.