By Jondi Gumz
Fewer people are driving because of the “shelter in place” order to slow the spread of coronavirus, but gas prices are at a low point not seen for years.
QuikStop on Soquel Avenue in Soquel advertised $2.999 per gallon on March 21. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
The price at QuikStop in Soquel was $2.999 per gallon on March 21.
Six days later, the price was $2.97 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.com, and $2.89 per gallon at Double Time on Soquel Drive in Soquel.
At U.S. Pro on Mission Street in Santa Cruz the price was down to $2.79/gallon.
It’s more than a local phenomenon.
Local gas prices are at a low point dropped after Santa Cruz County’s health officer issued the first shelter in place order.
Drivers across the nation got a break earlier in March when a price war broke out between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
So prices declined.
Now only people working at essential businesses in Santa Cruz County and statewide can drive.
This time of year is when prices often climb as refiners adjust their formula to produce gas for the summer vacation season.
With demand down, prices could drop further, according to analysts at AAA.
“There’s a possibility we could see the national average hit $2 in the next coming weeks,” says AAA spokeswoman Jeanette Casselano.