Community Corner
Where's the Cheapest Gas in Fountain Valley?
By Martin Burch
Nationwide, gas prices were predicted to be lower this summer compared to the last three years, but that won't translate into savings at the pump this Memorial Day weekend, experts said.
Purdue University economist Wally Tyner expects gas prices on the West Coast to go over $4, with prices in the $3 range everywhere else in the country, according to the Associated Press.
Currently, the cheapest gas in Fountain Valley can be found at two spots: the Costco at 17900 Newhope Street and the Sam's Club at 17099 Brookhurst St & Warner Ave according to GasBuddy.com. The price? $3.87.
"Motorists this year are facing rising gas prices heading into the Memorial Day holiday," said Michael Green, a AAA spokesman, adding that Memorial Day 2013 would probably be the most expensive since 2011.
In past years, prices have declined heading into early summer as oil refineries produced more gasoline to meet expected summer driving demand.
"If you can gas up today to prepare for your Memorial Day driving, do so," said Chuck Bonner, the lead analyst for GasPredictor.com. "Retail gas prices should have stabilized in the Midwest, but will continue rising on the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast," Bonner said.
AAA had predicted a nationwide low of $3.20-$3.40 per gallon during the summer, but Green said the current spike in prices means gas may never be that cheap this summer.
"This is one of the more volatile Memorial Day weekends that I can remember," Patrick DeHaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst at GasBuddy.com, told Patch.
While you can't control the price at the pump, you might be able to control how much gas your car burns. AAA offered these tips:
- Properly inflate your tires
- Avoid flooring the accelerator and slamming on the brakes
- Drive the speed limit
- Keep up-to-date on routine vehicle maintenance
