Americans Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border, Heading to Mexico for Cheaper Gas Prices

Americans are seeking low gas prices, even crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and heading to Mexico to acquire cheaper patrol.

Earlier this month, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador promised to control petrol prices by subsiding fuel, according to a BBC News report.

A San Diego resident, Julio Vaquero, posted on TikTok a video showing how he filled up his Honda Civic in Tijuana for $40. He showed the petrol station's pump display and his car's full fuel gauge, while saying "eight hundred pesos, filled it up. Full tank."

Vaquero's TikTok post has over 1,900 likes. He said that one week later it had cost him $70 to fill up in California.

The TikTok user lives about 20 minutes from Tijuana and tends to visit every other month. However, he said that if prices keep going the way they are, he will be starting making weekly trips to Mexico for cheaper gas prices.

Vaquero added that the $3.75 per gallon at a Chevron in Mexico was "a steal" as compared to around $6 per gallon in San Diego.

Another California resident, Ken Barnes, said that he and his wife do not currently make trips to Mexico for gas. However, they do "purposefully avoid filling up in the U.S. before leaving."

Barnes added that they are relying on their electric vehicle more.

Cheaper Gas Prices in Mexico

The war in Ukraine has triggered a huge jump in world oil prices. Lopez Obrador responded by saying that the state "should not neglect its social responsibility." He added that the state exists to "protect people," according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Mexican gas stations in Tijuana are now flaunting their prices with banner signs like "Cheaper than in the U.S.A!"

The real beneficiaries have been Mexicans with the low gas prices in the area.

Mexico is a major oil producer with it importing 80 percent of its gasoline from the United States. However, there has been a shortage of refineries to turn it into fuel.

Lopez Obrador has been enjoying the moment, with Mexico having low gas prices.

He joked at his news conference that Mexico is "not going to close the border."

One supporter, Maria de Los Angeles Resendiz, said that Lopez Obrador is looking after Mexicans.

Alejandro Montufar, head of the PetroIntelligence consulting group in Mexico City, said that Lopez Obrador's subsidies made sense as a strategy to help avoid social unrest and fight inflation.

However, critics noted that subsidies are "unsustainable" despite officials' promise that Mexico will cover the cost with the extra money it earns from its oil exports in the current market.

Luis Cházaro, a federal congressman from the Party of the Democratic Revolution, said that when it ends, people are still going to be expecting subsidies.

U.S. Gas Prices

The nationwide average for regular gas is now at $4.32 per gallon, according to a March 10 USA Today News report.

Diesel prices were also at record highs, being its average cost at $5.06 per gallon, which is about 18 cents from Wednesday's average of $4.88.

California continues to be the state with the highest gas prices in the country. It was also the first state to average over $6 for a gallon of diesel $6.21.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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