Gas prices increase ahead of Labor Day weekend travel

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Gas prices in San Diego are the most expensive we’ve seen since late June, and filling up at the pump every week has been draining the bank accounts of drivers across California.

“I’m fairly well off," Kent Lewis said while filling up his car with gas. "I don’t know what people who are living check to check are doing. It’s crazy.”

The average gas price rose by about 12 cents over the last nine days.

“It looks like they were going down for a while, but then it went back up again, so I don’t know what’s going on,” he said.

Anlleyn Venegas with the American Automobile Association says the busy roads and unplanned maintenance at a California refinery are contributing to the rising costs.

“Once that refinery is back to operating normally then gas prices could come down a little bit as well as demand, right," she said. "After Labor Day weekend is over, we could see gas prices come down.”  

This comes as many people plan to take trips during the long Labor Day weekend.

“Labor Day offers one final chance to squeeze in a getaway before fall season begins, so basically, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer travel,” Venegas said.

AAA reports while gas prices were 13 cents cheaper a month ago, drivers are spending the same amount as last Labor Day weekend.

“I have to put gas in my car either way, so it almost doesn’t matter,” Trevor Seech said.

That’s why he doesn’t bother to check the prices.

“Obviously, money leaving the bank account is not great, but one has to get around either way,” Seech said.

On average, gas in San Diego costs $4.67 compared to the national average of $3.20.

“My daughter lives in Scottsdale, and their prices are always at least a dollar less," Lewis said. "I don’t know why we have to be so expensive, but we are.”

AAA also reminds drivers that we are still in the 100 deadliest days on the road.

That starts on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day, so be careful on the roads, make sure your vehicle maintenance is up to date and pack an emergency kit in your car.