Gas is more expensive than it was since 2008, and prices are rising.
Five days ago, a gallon of gas in Temecula and the surrounding area cost $3.25. Over that period, the price rose steadily to $3.28, which is the highest price since Oct. 19, 2008, according to the American Automobile Association and Oil Price Information Service. The price is 36 cents higher than this time last year.
Locals are coping with the prices by finding the cheapest gas stations.
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David Williams, an unemployed and father of three, said he spends around $120 a week on gas just driving around town. So knowing where to go for gas is imperative.
U.S.A. Gas and stations near Vons and Albertson's in Murrieta are the cheapest in the area, he said.
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"These three gas stations are the cheapest in the city," he said. "Vons offers a 3-cent discount per gallon of gas with the usage of their free loyalty card."
For people who drive big gas-guzzlers, the price change was painful.
"My wife and I commute and it takes its toll," said Brandon Coatney, a Murrieta resident who drives a diesel Ford F250. "Even with a fuel-efficient car like my wife has, it get's outrageous."
He spends about $150 to fill up his tank, and his New Year's resolution is to drive less.
The average price rose eight-tenths of a cent Thursday, seven-tenths of _a cent Friday, four-tenths of a cent Saturday and three-tenths of a cent Sunday.
Analysts attribute the higher prices to increasing crude oil prices.
Two-thirds to three-quarters of the price of a gallon of gas is based on crude oil prices, according to Tupper Hull, vice president of strategic communications for the Western States Petroleum Association. The association represents oil companies in six western states, including California.
The improved economy might be driving the price of oil higher, analysts said. Oil companies may be expecting people to spend more on the commodity and raising the price.
The price of a barrel of benchmark crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange settled at its highest point since Oct. 3, 2008 Thursday, rising $1.03 to $91.51 on the final day of pre-Christmas trading, but fell 58 cents to $90.93 in early trading on Monday.
City News Service contributed to this article.
