Drivers fill up as gas prices rise

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - As crude oil prices rise in response to the nation's targeted killing of Iran’s top general, gas stations are continuing to get crowded.

More California drivers continue to flock to gas stations in fear of gas prices going up in the next few weeks.

“I'm not very happy about that. I'm very displeased because they've been changing for the last few years,” said resident Bernice Garrett of Santa Barbara.

According to Gas Buddy, prices throughout California could go up by several cents in the next week or so if Iran carries out threats and crude prices climb.

Cars packed one local gas station in Santa Barbara.

“It's a little crazy and the prices are going up and so people are getting anxious,” said Sebastian Aldana who waiting in line to get gas.

Aldana said he tried getting gas several times but the traffic has been constant.

“I went by earlier to gas up but then it was worse,” Aldana said.

If there is an uptick, fuel analysts said it will most likely be short term.

According to AAA, the average gas price on the central coast is $3.70 which is three cents higher than last year.

For the second time in 20 years, California had the highest average gas price last year.

“I'm pretty disappointed honestly because I'm a frequent driver in this area. So I spend a good amount of money on gas and I just hate to see gas prices rise,” said UCSB student Ben Roach.

The state's annual average price for 2019 was $3.72.

The average gas price in Santa Barbara is currently $3.79.