Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry - Jalopnik Comments

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

moijk — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:07:13 EDT

Last time I pumped it was 9.2 usd / gallon here in Norway. Did I care? no, ofcourse not. My trusty 1993 Nissan Sunny deserves it. ;)

at least it is regular, which is 95 here in Norway. 87? That is like buying american watered down coffee, or american watered down beer.

moijk

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

skulldriveshaft — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:23:34 EDT

So what's your point?

skulldriveshaft

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Meg2.0T — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:43:26 EDT

In Europe, prices are very variable: we generally pay 1.4€ per liter in france for unleaded 95, and during my holidays last week, I paid 1.15€ in Luxembourg and 1.56€ in Holland!

Meg2.0T

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Jacobsladder — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:21:21 EDT

@tsr_exec: so do we down here in Germany, bro. In fact I paid 1.43€ yesterday.
OTOH, as mentioned before, public transport is somewhat better in most regions of Urop. Besides, the US is a big country. Some folks have to drive lightyears to get, well, almost anywhere.
Anyway - they'll get used to those prices but I feel for them. Maybe they should think about a new currency. Helps for a while. It did here. No one would pay an outrageous 3 Marks per liter. 1.43€ is still annoying but... ;-)

Jacobsladder

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

tsr_exec — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:31:59 EDT

We in finland pay around 1.40€ per liter premium unleaded (the cheapest gas around here) ... that would be $8.25 / gallon.

tsr_exec

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

AustinMiniMan — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:11:13 EDT

I paid around $3.95 yesterday, but I was in the Denali, so it was 87. If I had been in my car, 93 was $4.34. But, I'm 25 miles out into the Atlantic. You expect to pay more when you live somewhere hard to get to; this is no shock.

AustinMiniMan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Hello_Newman — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:16:33 EDT

Well the gas stations get screwed here, they sell it to get people into the store to buy that sandwich they make a 90 percent markup on, or a cup of coffee which is almost pure profit. The oil companies dictate the price, and they make a few cents a gallon no matter what the price is.
In fact, when you add the merchant account fees, they make less off super unleaded at a higher price, since their margins are the same, but the merchant fees are higher on a higher ticket price.
Of course that's where you pay, so you don't blame Mobil or Exxon, you blame the place taking your money. Look at oil company profits and you'll see they are through the roof. Plus it's not like they are paying huge dividends to stock holders, they are keeping the money.

Hello_Newman

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

DoctorNine — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:23:48 EDT

I think Russia has it right. Yes that's what I said.
Energy should be a government monopoly, using that instead of income taxes to run things.

The large projects that will be required to convert our world economy to energy sources other than fossil fuels will require huge investments. Rather than take this money out of private capital flows, causing a downturn in the world economy as other private enterprises compete for that capital, governments can finance billion dollar projects with deficit spending, effectively turning these projects into a long term stimulus package that doesn't just cause price inflation. The money those projects spend building, goes into the economy, and the power generation byproduct stimulates further economic growth in the future. Like the Hoover Dam did with the CCC.

If large nuclear/wind/tidal/geothermal sources are produced this way, then the profit going to government increases directly with economic production, as all production requires energy. Excess energy production could be used for materials recycling, and desalination plants, which will likely be needed as the population of the Earth continues to grow.

People running for office are arguing about who is going to pay for the next social services project, when the solution is staring them right in the face. Politicians are not bred to think this way, but someone needs to. We have to start thinking 20, 50, 100 years down the road, and no one is taking that job seriously.

DoctorNine

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

MLaverty — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:58:39 EDT

Hah. I got stuck filling up there in September. Not realizing what the price was, I told that dude "fill it" and aimed for the rest room.

57.00 later, my S2000 was full. I choked a little and laughed with the guy. It wasn't a deal breaker, and it won't be when gas nextdoor to my house costs the same.

Although. gas was just barely 3.30 a gallon when I paid 5. Now it's gone up way more everywhere else than his has, so I gotta concede he could be doing worse. :)

MLaverty

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

mr.chophoppers — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:38:35 EDT

The problem is that all of the US is built on the idea that gas is cheap - hence, no public transportation to speak of, and a system which forces the working class to spend hours in their automobiles in order to go to work. Having a scooter makes my life easier, but many don't want to ride in the snow and rain.

It would be (comparably) easy to create a tax/zoning structure which supports people living near their jobs, and with gas prices constantly going up, moving nearer work would make more sense.

And thank goodness for the $5 fillup - still true for my scooter. My NYC rent is beginning to seem like a bargain.

mr.chophoppers

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

kimble.appleyard — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:36:29 EDT

Its $1.50AU a Litre where I live, which seems to be an average sort of price here in Oz. That is $5.77AU a gallon to put in perspective.

kimble.appleyard

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Stuntdriver — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:19:35 EDT

something to make you happy...

1 gallon = 3.8 liters
$1 dollar = $450 Chilean pesos

Regular gas in chile now (lower prices):
1 liter = $550 Chilean pesos
4 liters = $2200 Chilean pesos or 4,8 dollars

so.. usa´s average higher prices are like our average lower prices...a little...time ago we had our gas prices at 1,5 dollars the liter of gas!!!!

(the average wage in Chile its closer to 1000 dollars month).. so filling up the gas tanks hurts more!!!

so gentleman... be happy!!!

Stuntdriver

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

jhaber — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:31:20 EDT

I love that they drove an Expedition to do the story on high gas prices... only thing better would've been a QX56. ::faceplant::

jhaber

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

FuzzyPlushroom — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:24:09 EDT

@MazdaEric: You also get refineries in your backyard.

We don't have "bad urban planning", because we don't have urban areas. I live in a town of 5,000 people - if you own a bicycle, then you can get to work just fine from April to November, but you can't well bike in the snow. Walking's only an option downtown, and downtown consists of a few touristy places, a Chinese restaurant, a strip mall... Not exactly that many jobs.

Basically, you need a car, no two ways about it.

FuzzyPlushroom

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

mechimike — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:54:05 EDT

Pretty sure gas here in SC is cheaper even than NJ. We pay $3.35 for the 87 stuff as of today.

I used to live in Jersey...back when I could feed my small-block MoPar for $1.09 a gallon. A lot of times, I just got out and pumped my own gas. Very few of the gas jockeys cared. And I got out of there quicker.

mechimike

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Cycledoc — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:53:43 EDT

Think we're bettor off than 4 or 8 years ago?

Our president was surprised to hear of the possibility of $4.00 gasoline. Think he's interested in $5 or $6/gallon gas?

Cycledoc

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Crrusherr — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:32:02 EDT

100 X $4 = 400 not 4000

Crrusherr

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

handalanda — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:54:44 EDT

I'd say that's "reasonable" for being in the middle of no where. They also have to truck that gas into that location. It's not like they're located next to a port and a barge comes in to their town. Keep raising prices! Get these trucks off the road!

handalanda

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

joshman — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:25:44 EDT

@damnElantra: About an hour and 45 minutes if you have a few hills to climb.

I don't mind paying high prices for gas if a good portion of the price goes to constructing a decent public transportation system here in the Puget Sound area. Unfortunately, the oil companies are posting huge profits. Even when the voters in my region of the world agree on a transportation system we somehow manage to screw it up enough so that it never gets built or is weakened so much it is more of a novelty.

joshman

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

aquanetta — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:08:31 EDT

Old news.

I've been to that particular gas station. They were charging $5 for gas when it was $2.50 everywhere else.

aquanetta

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Thirty-Nine — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:55:32 EDT

Three weeks ago, I paid $4 a gallon in Crescent City, CA.

Thirty-Nine

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

ChuckECheese — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:46:43 EDT

The gasoline in Shoshone, CA, on the south end of Death Valley, is $4.64/gal for regular 87 unleaded today.

ChuckECheese

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Solo_Racer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:40:55 EDT

I'll bet the gasoline at the only station in Panamint Springs [west of Death Valley] is $6 a gallon. It was $3.50 in 2004.

Solo_Racer

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

vdragonmpc — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:34:12 EDT

How about this:
Congress taxes oil profits at 30-60% depending on the change of price ie if prices change 10 cents in one week they are taxed 6 cents. There is no reason for prices to be cruising upwards at this rate. Given time we will have doubled the price of gas in a very short time with plenty of change to add in.

Then after the tax is added to oil PROFIT. Drop the tax on gas at the pump. Any profits made from investing on oil should be taxed at a triple rate. That should stop 'speculation investment' since that has been an on-going excuse.

Anything would be better than the ride to oblivion we are on now.

vdragonmpc

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

kylo4 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:24:07 EDT

Here in Canada it's not up to $1.21 per liter. That's absolutely crazy. I remember 8 years ago it was 50 cents.

kylo4

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

petersterncan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:21:51 EDT

@danio3834: "We must drive to get anywhere in this country." And that's called Bad Urban Planning... but it's not that way everywhere. Lots of people in places like New York City get by just fine without cars.

And I have some friends who live in Toronto and just walk to work. Yeah, they had to pay a little more on their house/condo, but that is more than negated by the fact that they are putting more money into an asset that hold or increases its value and are not putting into cars/car expenses.

Unfortunately, good urban planning requires good long term vision by elected officials. And once an area has been done badly, such as most of Mississauga (just west of Toronto), it's much harder to go back and fix it because fixing it involves lots of inconvience for the people and businesses already in place.

petersterncan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

TechnoDestructo — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:13:18 EDT

I've been to that gas station. I bought like 2 gallons at the then-exorbitant ~$2.40.

See, I'd never driven that section of the coast highway before, and I thought I'd be good on gas all the way to San Luis Obispo. By the time I got that far I realized I was chugging through fuel at an alarming rate and I'd not quite make it, and considering how few other stations I'd seen thus far, I couldn't risk it.

That station is just close enough to Monterey that people aren't likely to run out of gas by the time they get there, and just far enough away that they should realize what they've gotten themselves into.

I suspect that one station in the desert between LA and Vegas, like 50 miles from the nearest anything, is charging more. Damned if I remember which road it was on. But they were charging around 5 bucks for gas last June.

TechnoDestructo

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

danio3834 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:03:51 EDT

So much of this environmental protest against the oil industry is a problem as well. They feel we should all abandon our cars, downsize, or embrace expensive new technologies and wean ourselves of fossil fuel overnight. That'll solve all our problems, right?

We'll I'm glad there are large groups of these people who can afford to do all that, and still have time to bitch about nonsensical issues. Meanwhile, the rest of us have less food to put on the plate because we had to feed our trucks and cars extra.

Our economy is in crisis, largely over fuel prices, yet environmental pressure continues to increase, ensuring that no relief is in sight.

What about the folks who can barely afford to drive to work? We must drive to get anywhere in this country. The elitist mentality that is so prevalent drives me nuts. Since they can afford to give things up, since they can afford cars that use less fuel, since they can afford fuckin solar panels and wind generators, everyone now must make due because of their 'nobility'.

I'm not starving yet, but I definetely feel the pinch. Work more, play less.

Deregulate! Free market! Change Foreign Policy!

danio3834

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Imhotep — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:01:15 EDT

How perfect that it's in Gorda, which means FAT in spanish.

Imhotep

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

petersterncan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:55:08 EDT

@damnElantra: Well it takes me about 40 minutes to go 10 miles.

So if you're in decent shape, have a proper road bike, don't have a big headwind and you're not riding up a mountain, it'll probably take around 90 minutes.

petersterncan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

danio3834 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:49:31 EDT

I'd love to blame the oil companies and gas stations and accuse them of gouging, unfortunately, I just don't think thats true.

The oil industry is one of the most highly regulated industries around. It is the commodities and contract markets that have driven the price of oil through the roof and kept reserves artificially low. Our foreign policies ensure that we sure can't buy cheap fuel from anywhere else.

We certainly aren't running out of oil, ask Brazil, Alberta and the Falkland islands.

We need to end this madness deregulate some or all of the oil industry so they can actually make more fuel.

Reagan Smash.

danio3834

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Parkington — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:46:20 EDT

I don't know where that is... It's $2 less everwhere else...

Anyways, thanks to the idiots at CNN, everyone knows that they can charge $5.40 now. Hate CNN.

Parkington

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

skyln95 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:43:11 EDT

i wish my wage matched the prices here in the inland empire. maybe that's why i'm moving to fresno? might not be moving to better places, but it is cheaper.

skyln95

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Kelly — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:41:00 EDT

I add, it'd behoove idiots to make certain they can make the next decent-sized town on the fuel they have, in order to avoid buying it where it is horribly expensive.

It should be a self-corrrecting problem, but we are awash in morons....

Kelly

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Gokuhouse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:37:56 EDT

And to top off the high gas prices I can't even find a good deal on an old small car anymore....Everyone is wanting 2 or 3 times what they bluebook for!

$3.45/gal in central Iowa...*(sighs as a small tear rolls down cheek)

I'm pretty sure that the average salary in California is more than double what Iowa's is....So, if they aren't paying closer to $7.00/gal they have nothing to complain about.

Gokuhouse

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Kelly — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:37:49 EDT

The Oregon argument always gets me riled, as I was imprisioned, er, lived there, for four years. The whole you-can't-pump-it-yourself thing bugged the living shit out of me.

There really isnt' an answer which everyone will agree upon.

"It's to employ people at the low-end of the skills spectrum."

This is blatantly socialist, and pisses me off. Isn't this why welfare programs exist?!

"It's too dangerous!"

I have accidentally injested more gasoline working on vehicles than any consumer will inhale pumping their own fuel.

Bite me on the danger aspect.

It routinely took 15 minutes longer to get fuel thnks to this 'conveinence'. As a bonus, the car I had was a mid-80's RWD Cadillac, so I had to feed in the final 8 gallons slowly, or else you'd have a 3/4 tank, max. Never could get pump jockeys to do this properly....

Oh, and the Death Valley Chevron station, three months back, was well over $4/gallon.

Kelly

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Kimli — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:31:43 EDT

Congratulations, now you're paying as much as Canadians do.

I think I'll hug my scooter before I go home today. Can't beat my $4.00 fillups!

Kimli

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

TheTooth — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:30:52 EDT

@Novaload: They are already angry and loud. So much so that it's getting annoying already... unless they have some constructive ideas for how to improve it.

TheTooth

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

NovaloadMissesPolar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:24:59 EDT

I paid $3.59 for 87 proof in VA yesterday. I try to put it in perspective. Milk is $4 a gallon. $3.59? That's a cheeseburger. Or a couple of sodas.
Still, one wonders when US citizens will start to get angry and loud about the getting-crappier-by-the-minute economy.

NovaloadMissesPolar

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

sos10 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:22:03 EDT

I've stayed here a few times.. Gorda has very nice cabins for a decent price on the 1.. Much cheaper than Big Sur...
The gas was already $4 about 2 years ago... just like the other station that is actually not to far away ( a bit further north near Big Sur)

sos10

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

LUV2CattleCall — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:18:19 EDT

@JollyJumjuck:

Please tell me you're f-ing kidding? Elitist would be thinking you're too cool to pump your own gas. And I get it that it's not a glamorous job pumping gas, but despite what you say, they DON'T have a backbreaking "hard" job...they pump gas. No lifting heavy weights, no heavy thinking, no real training required...etc. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for them since they're going out there and getting a job vs. being on welfare, but you're way off base in how highly you regard them.

Oh, and I'm throwing out the BS flag on your contention that they get paid than employees of self-serve attendants. Source: I've engaged in conversation with some of the petrochemical transfer engineers and they say their pay is around $12.50.

LUV2CattleCall

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

mzs — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:15:48 EDT

@stanfrombrooklyn: Yes this is the one, I've seen it. Five years ago the price was four something a gallon when I saw it. The only explanation I had was that it was surrounded by a particularly tricky part of 1 that would not be fun for a tanker to deliver too and there was really no other gas station for maybe 50 mile north and south of there on 1 along the coast.

mzs

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

slostudent — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:12:41 EDT

Give me a break. If you've decided to head along PCH through that stretch you know damn well you're not hitting a major hub for a couple hundred miles. It's not by any means the required route for any reason but to mosey up and down the coast. So people, plan ahead if you don't want to pay to fill up in the boondocks.

You want to see gouging, head to King City on hwy 101. There are two gas stations on sequential exits. The first is a Vallero station 1 mile south of town, the next is a Shell station .5 miles south of town. I payed over 4 dollars a gallon for regular at the Shell on my way home for Thanksgiving, and payed 80 cents less/gal. on the way home at the Vallero. That's fucking gouging.

slostudent

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Elhigh — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:04:46 EDT

Dang, Leo...buy some solar panels, wouldja? You're part of the problem!

100 gallons a day is CRAZY.

Elhigh

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

htrodblder — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:56:47 EDT

In the words of Steve Martin:
"Oh I get it, its a profit thing, well that takes the pressure off."

htrodblder

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

TheTooth — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:48:05 EDT

@JollyJumjuck: The difference is that we can choose to buy our own food at the grocery store and cook our own meal cheaper than at the restaurant. Or we can go to fast food restaurants and not have to pay for waiters and waitresses. That's why we may lavishly tip them... we have chosen to use their services and are choosing to pay and tip them for said services.

The gas jockeys are forced upon us in states like Oregon, and there is no other conceivable reason than the state felt they needed to manufacture jobs for these people. We know that we are already paying them for a service we don't really want and would rather not pay for. There is no way I'm going to tip that person on top of what I'm already paying for said work that is unnecessary, and in my case, unwanted.

TheTooth

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

DonSchenck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:47:27 EDT

@al_beaton: Then buy it by the litre, silly ... it's cheaper that way!

DonSchenck

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Thaddeus — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:44:25 EDT

@al_beaton: You win.

Thaddeus

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

DonSchenck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:44:07 EDT

@JollyJumjuck: Can't even FIND a full-service station in my area.

And on the rare occassion that I do, I tip them, very well. I appreciate and understand the situation.

But your rant stands.

DonSchenck

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

JollyJumjuck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:42:04 EDT

@Vintage Racer: Gas jockeys are no more mouth-breathers than servers, barristas or any other service industry position. You sound like some elitist little jerk who looks down on someone who pumps your gas and checks your fluids, while at the same time lavishly tipping servers at restaurants and the local Starbucks. Here's a news flash since you don't seem to have thought it through: gas jockeys work just as hard as people in other service industries, yet you and your ilk look down on them. No wonder they don't get tipped like every other service industry.
News flash to the rest of you: full serve is a scam. The gas station doesn't pay their employees any more money than the person at the till in a self-serve station, and often pays them LESS (and those who work in full-serve work HARDER and have to do more than those in self-serve).

JollyJumjuck

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Steaming Pile — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:40:59 EDT

Central New York:

Three weeks ago - $3.39
Last week - $3.49
Today - $3.69

Steaming Pile

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

al_beaton — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:40:08 EDT

Don't feel too bad.
Here in soggy Scotland, a US gallon of Unleaded is $8.62.

al_beaton

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

LionZoo — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:36:50 EDT

@FThorn: But New Jersey has their own definition of "full service" and it's a bit less full.

LionZoo

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Bad Juju — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:36:50 EDT

That gas station is just down the road a little bit - Ragged Point is the canary in the coal mine of gas prices - it's ALWAYS ridiculous because its in BFE and the clientele are either Big Sur megabucks or clueless tourists who've been white-knuckling it along the coastline at 15 under the limit.

Back in reality, I paid $3.81 last fill up. Slow news day?

I mean.. OMFGWTFBBQ, YES, IT'S AWFUL HERE, GO BACK TO NEBRASKA!!

Bad Juju

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

RalphieDC — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:33:20 EDT

@Sth002000: No wonder the cows are happy.

RalphieDC

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Sloop_John_B — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:32:49 EDT

Percieved cost is far greater than actual cost. When you break it down...we still pay very low prices for gasoline on a world wide scale for Economies of our kind.

Sloop_John_B

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:31:26 EDT

@MazdaEric:
You can't pump your own gas in Oregon. But I always thought that was a job's program for some of those mouth breathers down there....

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

utensil42 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:30:21 EDT

@MazdaEric: You can't pump your own gas in Oregon either.

utensil42

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

DonSchenck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:27:54 EDT

THIS JUST IN: A larger tank COSTS MORE TO FILL!

Film at l1...

DonSchenck

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

7Seven — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:25:56 EDT

@Andrewpetty:

Absolutely right...get your gas from a 76 in LA, and the full service will add on the premium there as well - when have CNN reported that not pumping your gas yourself will cost you extra?!! For shame CNN, sensationalist journalism at its laziest.

7Seven

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Grows trees to get his CO² balance done — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:25:23 EDT

relatively Brazil should be cheaper but we pay $5,60 a gallon (2,50 R$ / l)

BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Grows trees to get his CO² balance done

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

emack — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:21:36 EDT

I have a crush on Mark.

He's sassy!!

emack

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Sth002000 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:21:27 EDT

I don't mind paying more for the organic sustainable gas.

Really everything cost more in California. I've seen milk at $7.99 a gallon.

Sth002000

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

DonSchenck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:20:03 EDT

I just calculated that, at $3.50 per gallon, I spend 1.2 percent of my income on gasoline.

So ... meh.

DonSchenck

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

smalleyxb122 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:18:57 EDT

Eh, at least it makes me feel better about the $3.59 I had to pay yesterday.

I want to buy a beater that gets better mileage, but I need the price of gas to go down to lower the demand(read:price) of cheap shitboxes.

Gas prices also drive down the price of guzzlers. 6 months ago, I could've gotten $3-4k for my truck. If I wanted to sell it now, I'd be lucky to get $2k. Ain't worth selling at that price.

smalleyxb122

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Ash78 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:17:25 EDT

@rscotta: This is true...people are often pretty heavily leveraged with spending half their income on housing.

But even here in Alabama, if you pick a place along a secluded lakefront near a boat launch, you can see these prices, too.

Ash78

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

CharlzR — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:14:50 EDT

I liked the trenchant geopolitical perspective. Oh, no, wait. It's CNN.

CharlzR

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

JimBobJoeBobJim — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:13:46 EDT

I'm not surprised. That station probably pays $.45-.47/gal more for delivery alone...

JimBobJoeBobJim

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

rscotta — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:12:36 EDT

@ash: To your first comment, while CA coastal salaries may be higher than average, the cost of living is as well. The percent spread between income and expense has more impact than the absolute numbers.

But, you are 100% right regarding spending $100k on a car only to whine about the gas. ;-)

rscotta

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Maymar the technophobe — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:12:31 EDT

@13oostedwgn: I paid $1.27 for 89 in Toronto last week. 87 seems to be consistently $1.20/litre (which works out to about $4.50 a US gallon).

Maymar the technophobe

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

AndyDuncan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:12:25 EDT

@FreeMan: Wait, the nightly news isn't interested in actual news stories? It's entertainment you say? Little Jimmy's lost cat isn't even as important as local politics? Peanut butter goes well with jelly? :-)

AndyDuncan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

prndl — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:12:20 EDT

I remember last year driver of over a 4 ton monstrosity pulling a 35 footer. I glanced over at his pump and was in slight shock when I saw 175, then I noticed that was the gallons and he was still pumping. I just shook my head.

prndl

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Mysterious Utility Bento — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:09:44 EDT

I'm looking out the window at a station on Franklin and Cahuenga and its $3.99. Crap...I need gas this weekend to!

Mysterious Utility Bento

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

christoj879 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:07:18 EDT

Biodiesel FTW!

christoj879

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:07:14 EDT

hehe. It's funny, I don't ever notice the tag-line/mini-headline/whatever it's called until I minimize the browser here at the office... "I feel gassy..."

I really don't think this is a huge deal. If gas is $4.00 normally, then $5.40 is 135% of the normal price. I'll bet that if you go back over the last 10 years, it's always been about that, simply because this place is in the middle of nowhere. A) It costs more to get the gas trucked there, and B) Capitalism gives him the opportunity to charge whatever the market will bear.

I'll bet gas in Death Valley is at least as expensive. Maybe CNN can send a huge, gas sucking SUV full of 'reporters' to the middle of Death Valley to cover that story. With any luck, their expense account won't cover the cost of fuel to get them back out and the buzzards will have a feast for a couple of days.

I hate the 'news'.

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Capt. Mazda Sisko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:06:49 EDT

@AndyDuncan: A-MEN Baaarother!

Capt. Mazda Sisko

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

stanfrombrooklyn — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:06:43 EDT

I believe this is the same gas station they always use as the worst example. This gas station is off in the middle of nowhere and it charges more because it has a high fee structure that pays for national park or lighthouse or something nearby. It's definitely not your normal gas station which the news always forgets.

stanfrombrooklyn

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

FThorn — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:06:17 EDT

full service does not equal just pumping. Full service MEANT clean the windshield, check the fluids, top off, replace wiper blades, etc.

FThorn

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

dculberson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:06:16 EDT

What?! How many stations is that true of, and how long has that been the case? Are you sure that's not the one station at the other side of the mountain from Reno where the gas prices are always absurd? (Like $3.50/gallon in 2000.)

Sorry if this is all answered in the video; I can't really watch it right now!

dculberson

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Capt. Mazda Sisko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:06:14 EDT

@Andrewpetty: in NJ you only get full service, yet still the lowest priced gas (i think) in the nation...thanks to those lovely property taxes. i forget if any other state has the "you can't pump your own gas" law.

Capt. Mazda Sisko

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

AndyDuncan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:05:08 EDT

And the $5 gasoline did come. And the people did buy it. But yay did they mourn it. And he sent his horsemen, four strong, to the shores of suburbia and he drove the bleating masses to the cities. And they did find a love of Peugeots, and Fiats, and compression ignition. And it was good.

AndyDuncan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Pete Gaines — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:04:58 EDT

@Andrewpetty: It's the cheapest option in New Jersey.

As for me, I paid $3.48/gallon for premium yesterday. There are perks to living in Kansas.

Pete Gaines

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Andrewpetty — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:02:55 EDT

Isn't full service gas always more expensive?

Andrewpetty

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

The Stig's Fat American Cousin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:01:23 EDT

Aren't those the same gas stations that are always at least $1.50/gal higher than everybody else? The ones that are always in the news, with the reporters saying how expensive gas is? I think these stations are quite the exception to gas prices.

The Stig's Fat American Cousin

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

akirachan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:00:36 EDT

@doctor_cos: Agreed. And the gas station " manager" seems to have a grin on his damn face as he's complaining about just breaking even.

Hate it.

akirachan

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Mr_D — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EDT

It's also Full Service, which probably adds a .50 premium.

A man of my stature simply CAN'T dirty his hands like you peasants. Respect your betters, and pump my gas for me.

Mr_D

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

boosted-lego-wagon — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:59:42 EDT

@MazdaEric: Her press agent?

I pay the most of any North American on here I believe. $1.30 / litre. And that's for regular, when my car takes 94 octane.

boosted-lego-wagon

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Ash78 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:57:50 EDT

Speaking of scams, I've noticed a lot of gas stations ONLY listing the price for 87. Then you get there and find that 93 is something like 40 cents higher.

But the stations that list all three tend to have a pretty tight spread. Coincidence?

Ash78

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Capt. Mazda Sisko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:57:46 EDT

...and bull shit on that guy who runs the place saying he isn't making a dime ;)

Capt. Mazda Sisko

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

AbsoluteIrrelevance — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:56:07 EDT

It's $4.00 most places in the Bay Area. Or, I should say 3.99. Most gas stations don't have the balls to put up the number 4 yet. I find it increasingly funny to drive around and everything is 3.99. Then, I drive to Costco. Next month, I'm taking the train to work.

AbsoluteIrrelevance

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Capt. Mazda Sisko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:55:30 EDT

and from the looks of the people driving in that area i think they can afford $5.40 a gallon. that one woman had some giant groomed prize mutt in her passenger seat

Capt. Mazda Sisko

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

doctor_cos — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:55:26 EDT

Not gouging? Why not post the price on the sign?

And if you're just breaking even by having to charge that much for gas, it's time to explore other business ventures, perhaps.

Not entirely a scam, but around 80% or so.

doctor_cos

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Ash78 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:55:17 EDT

Well, the houses there are a far greater multiple of the national average than is the gas. As are the salaries, by and large.

So in a relative sense, gas is REALLY FREAKING CHEAP there. Sort of the same argument people make when someone in a $100k luxury car complains about gas prices.

Ash78

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

Capt. Mazda Sisko — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:54:01 EDT

i like how the reporter tries to make it seem as though their news team just drove down the coast on a whim and randomly found this high priced gas station. i hate how phony our newspeople have become.

Capt. Mazda Sisko

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

stupidjerk — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:49:15 EDT

the gas station is also powered by a generator that burns a ton of diesel every day...$4000 dollars worth?

seems like gouging, but with no electricity and being 40 miles from nothing, stuff costs more.

still very sad and scary

stupidjerk

Gas Is $5.40 Per Gallon On The Cali Coast, We Cry

damnElantra — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:49:15 EDT

man... how long do you guys think it will take me to bike 25 miles?

damnElantra