Why California gas station prices vary so wildly from station to station? (San Francisco: to buy, calculator)

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CaliRestoration

All gas in California is pretty crappy. In the South you can find tons of stations offering 93 octane fuel, in SoCal I remember there being maybe a couple within a 50 mile radius.

Not to mention that the fuel is mixed to work with SULEV type vehicles, so the gas regularly causes knocking in non-SULEV type vehicles.

Plus mileage is worse which offsets the small amount of environmental benefit that exists between the CA formulations and that of the other States.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Plus mileage is worse which offsets the small amount of environmental benefit that exists between the CA formulations and that of the other States.

[volosong]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

Where did Arco get a reputation for crappy gas? I use Arco all the time.

Long standing reputation. I had my VW Westphalia camper serviced by an ol' master mechanic Yugoslav in Tujunga. He gave me a pretty good dressing down one day for using Arco gasoline. This was in the very late '80s.

On Gringo gouging when purchasing gasoline in Tijuana . . . the trick is to go through Tijuana to La Mesa and get your gas there. When I lived in Escondido, it was worth getting my fuel there at a peso a liter. I was able to drive 950 miles for $4.50. That was a long time ago.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by AndyChrono

Umm that's straight up false. BP owns ARCO, and ExxonMobil as the name suggests owns Mobil. Both companies obviously still have a heavy presence in CA.

Yeah, where did that claim come from? LOL

[FullBloodedWhiteMale]

Originally Posted by msgsing

Well. Just bought regular for 2.77 at Costco in my neighborhood. But several miles away near the freeways the price can be in the 3.90 range.

I've never seen Costco gas without a long line.

Best is to use GasBuddy and plan your trips.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

Yeah, where did that claim come from? LOL

I think when the stopped taking credit cards, cash only, some people did not like them and maybe said a lousy gas station, not lousy gas.

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

It's a lot more than our crazy left wing governor, the whole damn state is crazy Communist. The last election every tax increase passed! I can't believe so many people could be so stupid.

As of June 15th based on current exchange rate prices in expensive parts of California San Francisco and parts of LA eclipses if not slightly higher than in Vancouver, BC when converted from liters to gallons. Vancouver BC is often known to have the most expensive gas stations in North America. But from time to time San Francisco and Beverly Hills will beat it on average. Of course talking about an average not the extremes as California has some ridiculous high prices on random gas stations. Therefore the most expensive gas stations on the continent is likely to be in California most all the time.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by citizensadvocate

As of June 15th based on current exchange rate prices in expensive parts of California San Francisco and parts of LA eclipses if not slightly higher than in Vancouver, BC when converted from liters to gallons. Vancouver BC is often known to have the most expensive gas stations in North America. But from time to time San Francisco and Beverly Hills will beat it on average. Of course talking about an average not the extremes as California has some ridiculous high prices on random gas stations. Therefore the most expensive gas stations on the continent is likely to be in California most all the time.

I am in SC right now and paid $2.35 right of the freeway. What is it in CA now?

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by expatCA

I am in SC right now and paid $2.35 right of the freeway. What is it in CA now?

$4 at some stations around Sacramento. The price over there is about 41% less. Congrats on being free from the financial shackle that is CA.

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by expatCA

I am in SC right now and paid $2.35 right of the freeway. What is it in CA now?

I am surprised. Though the last time I saw price under three dollars was in Arizona in May. A station in Bullhead, AZ. Was charging $2.70 for a gallon of gas. Though stations in neighboring Laughlin, NV were charging $3.58.

In California in SF some stations are charging $4.30 a gallon or more the cheapest is $3.96 some are charging just over $4
In Vancouver BC which often holds the title for most expensive gasoline in both Canada and many times all of North America due to all the progressive taxation there. the highest is about 1.45 CAD a liter which converts to about $4 a gallon using the most current exchange rates. The cheapest in the same metro area is 1.30CAD a liter or $3.63 USD a gallon. Therefore California still wins the medal for the most expensive gasoline on the continent.