Gas prices increase on Central Coast while national price average decreases

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Gas prices on the Central Coast are increasing while the national price average continues to drop.

According to AAA, the national gas price average is $3.69, dropping by four cents in the last week.

Santa Barbara County's average price is $5.44, a three-cent increase from last week.

San Luis Obispo's average increased by six cents in just one week; the current average price is $5.71.

Richard Borunda said he couldn't help but notice gas prices slightly increase every time he fills up his car. 

“For like the average person making minimum wage,” said Borunda. “It probably sucks.”

Borunda says he drives a lot and fills up his tank in Santa Maria two to three times a week.

“I fill up from like three quarters,” said Borunda. “So it’s probably like 50 bucks from three-quarters of a tank.”

AAA said declining gas supplies over the last eight weeks caused the price hike.

Experts say supplies are at the lowest level they’ve seen in a decade. 

“Because of this year’s exceptionally high crude oil prices, due to the war in Ukraine and inflation, local refineries delayed their maintenance,” said AAA Automobile Club spokesperson Doug Shupe.

This week, six of them went offline partially to be worked on. 

“That has created lower supply inventories,” said Shupe. “And also increased the demand for imports.”

AAA says it takes two to three weeks for imports to come in from Asia and help bring prices back down. 

Which is something that Borunda hopes to see soon. 

“I can't afford a Tesla, and that’s probably the only electric vehicle I consider,” said Borunda.