Gas prices fuel driving habits

Escalating gas prices are causing Lagunans, like many others, to

change their driving habits and look for alternatives to gas-guzzling

vehicles.

Gas prices have increased $0.17 just within the past month at the

Laguna Chevron.

While the national average for regular gas has risen to $2.55 a

gallon -- considered extremely high -- here in Laguna, $2.55 a gallon

would be a bargain.

In Laguna, drivers can pay anywhere from $2.75 to $2.95 for

regular gas, $2.85 to $3.05 for unleaded and $2.95 to $3.15 for

Supreme Unleaded.

In neighboring areas, regular gas prices can range from $2.69 to

$2.99 a gallon.

Laguna remains on the expensive side for regular gas compared to

neighboring cities. Regular unleaded gas from the local Chevron costs

$2.95 a gallon -- a few cents more than in neighboring San Clemente.

In San Clemente, Shell and Union 76 are charging $2.99 a gallon.

San Juan Capistrano has gas posted at $2.97 a gallon. Irvine and

Newport make local prices look comparatively high, with Mobil and

Chevron charging $2.89 a gallon.

But, in Dana Point, you can fill up at the Chevron for as little

as $2.69 per gallon.

Even Thrifty, which charges $2.75 for regular gas (cash only) is

high compared to the Chevron in Dana Point.

High gas prices have had a strong impact on the lives of those who

buy gas in Laguna. Most just do what they can to conserve gas and

hope prices will decrease soon.

“It’s outrageous. It costs me $120 to fill up my truck,” said John

McIntyre, an electrical contractor who was gassing up at the Chevron

last week. “I had to charge $10 more an hour. Diesel should be

cheaper because the process is not as extensive as it is for regular

gas. I have to have my truck for work. I can’t buy a hybrid car

because it won’t tow the materials. I’m stuck.”

“I drive much less,” said resident Mary Ann Loehr, also at the

Chevron. “I used to go to the mountains more. I’m not angry. It’s an

inconvenience. However, we are being told that in most of the world,

they pay a lot more than we do. In Europe, it’s about $5 a gallon.

And it wouldn’t be bad if we had fewer people on the road. I guess I

don’t really have a problem with it. I look forward to the day when

we have a variety of competitively-priced, fuel-efficient cars.”

During the gas price crunch, Lagunans have resorted to conserving

the number of trips they make to and from work, running errands or

picking up and dropping off children.

Lew Geiser, a retiree who was filling up at Thrifty, says he

doesn’t drive much, but when he does, he tries to cut down on

needless trips.

“I try to consolidate my journey,” Geiser said. “Now I make a list

and do everything in one trip, and that seems to save a little bit.

The gas prices are outrageous. If they go up much higher, I will

drive a little less, and I will use public transportation.”

Julia O’Brien, also at Thrifty, says she has a hard time with the

high gas prices as a single mother living in Laguna.

“I am always thinking about how many things I can get done instead

of taking random trips,” O’Brien said. “I do landscape management and

professional gardening, and I have to drive to all my jobs. I think I

am going to have to raise my rate, and my customers won’t be too

happy about that. I have to drive a truck, and trucks use a lot of

gas. It [affects] your income, groceries and even the new football

shoes, especially as a single mom.”

Resident Terri Kimball decided to get a sport utility vehicle in

2001 so she could haul all five of her kids, but with escalating

prices, she is going to make a few major changes to save gas and

money.

“It’s making us change our car,” Kimball said. “It’s going to

change our whole way of traveling and everything. We are moving

towards getting a mini-van. We will have a smaller car, but we’ll

make it work. [An SUV] is just not cost effective at all. It wasn’t

so bad when we bought the Suburban in 2001, but now that prices have

gone up, we are going to have to get rid of it. It costs $90 a week.

We could easily lease a car for the same price we pay for gas in a

month.

“I wish they would invent a car that could still fit this many

people, and have this much storage, but have better gas mileage,” she

said, pointing to her Suburban.

Many different factors combine to push up gas prices, according to

station operators.Gasoline companies like Chevron use what is called

“zone pricing,” which means gas prices vary according to specific

zones. These zones can be designated according to shipment distance,

population or anything that impacts the sale of gas. Although prices

have shot up, there has been little change in the number of customers

buying gas.