Gas prices going up, more people expected on roads this week
By Mark Glover and Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee
Friends and relatives may be urging you to drive on down for the holidays, but prices at the gas pumps are definitely arguing for the joys of gathering around the home fires.
Regular gas in California is at $3.26 a gallon and rising. An unprecedented – for this time of year – $3 a gallon nationwide average is still possible by Christmas.
“You know it’s ridiculous, but what can you do? You’ve got to go with it,” said Kacey Pankins of Sacramento as he filled up Friday. He paid a relatively low $3.17 a gallon at a Valero station on Franklin Boulevard and Meadowgate Drive.
Analysts link climbing gas prices to crude oil prices now flirting with $90 a barrel, driven by speculators betting that an improving world economy will increase demand.
Dan Lina, who also paid $3.17 a gallon Friday at an AM/PM station at Elk Grove Boulevard and Highway 99, said gas prices were part of his decision to stay home this year.
But for many, the lure of distant holiday festivities is too strong to be deterred.