Gas prices in California town hit $7.59 a gallon

GORDA, Calif. — The AAA website says it all: “Sorry Folks, but the cost of gasoline is still going up.”

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That is painfully true in California, where AAA said the state average for a gallon of gasoline is $4.52. It’s much higher in the rural town of Gorda, where the cost of a gallon is a mind-numbing $7.59 a gallon, KFSN reported.

That’s for regular. Premium gas tops off at $8.50 per gallon, the television station reported.

And you cannot go across town to shop for a cheaper price. The gas station in Gorda is the only one in town.

A sign at the station informs customers that the nearest gasoline station is 12 miles to the south and 40 miles to the north, according to KFSN.

Gorda is located along the Big Sur coast about 40 minutes north of San Simeon, the television station reported.

“Compared to the price of gas a year ago, it now costs consumers about $17 more to fill up their vehicles,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a news release. “That’s the cost of a large pizza with toppings. And unfortunately, it doesn’t look like drivers will be finding relief at the pump any time soon.”

Gasoline prices are now at a seven-year high.

The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.35, according to AAA. According to GasBuddy, the nation’s average gas price has increased 2.9 cents in the last week, to $3.34. The national average is up 7.5 cents from a month ago and $1.08 per gallon higher than a year ago, the website reported.

“The national average closed the week by climbing to yet another fresh seven-year high, as the price of oil continues to drag gas prices along for the wild ride, leaving motorists on empty,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a news release. “With OPEC holding back oil production and strong global oil demand, the situation will no doubt pave the road with even higher gas prices in the weeks ahead. Until several bottlenecks ease, including supply chains and low global inventories of oil, natural gas and coal, we’ll be stuck feeling the pinch of rising oil and gasoline prices. The bad news is that for now, all I see is the upward trend at the pump continuing into the weeks ahead with no sign of relief just yet.”

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