SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Gas prices have yet again broke records at the local, state and national levels, with prices edging toward $6 a gallon here in California on average.
In San Diego County, the average price is $5.71 a gallon for regular unleaded, up from $3.80 a year ago.
Some stations, though, are already charging far above that.
At one station in the Birdland community, it's nearly $6.60 per gallon: one dollar over the local average.
"It's crazy!" laughed customer Vinnie Goonan. "I just got three gallons for over 20 bucks. They have these prices in apocalyptic movies!"
At another station in Clairemont, it is nearly $6 a gallon, although it is cheaper at nearby stations.
Driver Steven Armour said his tank was on empty, and he needed to fill up now.
"I'm going to spend a little extra for the convenience of not going to the other gas station," he told CBS 8.
So why is the cost considerably higher at some stations, and not others?
Instead of thinking of one monolithic gasoline market, USD economics professor Alan Gin said it's important to think of each individual gas station as its own market.
"Each station is unique in terms of its cost structure, how much it has to pay for gas, the cost of the property if if leases its location, and then demand in particular neighborhoods," Gin explained.
There are also no regulations in place that dictate how much a station can charge for gas.
"Gas station owners are welcome to charge whatever the market is going to bear," Gind said.
Customers can be creatures of habit and looking convenience, including using the station closest to work or home.
"People are probably not going to go out of their way to search out for the cheapest has," Gin added. "That takes some time, and time is worth money to people."
As prices continue to climb, though, that mentality may change., including for Steven Armour.
"I's only a few dollars difference or whatever, but right now I am definitely thinking about it more," he said.
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