In Bakersfield, California, rising fuel costs are putting new pressure on everyday driving, raising a practical problem for households trying to cover commutes, work trips, and basic errands.
As regular gas edges toward $6 a gallon and diesel reaches a record local average, some people in Kern County say they are spending less time on the road and reworking the rest of their budgets, KBAK-TV reported.
Here's what to know
According to AAA figures cited by KBAK-TV, Bakersfield's diesel average has climbed to roughly $7.81 a gallon, the highest on record locally.
The same data puts regular gas at about $5.85 a gallon.
The sticker shock came through clearly in Christina Del Torodias' reaction.
"It's astronomical, disappointing, trying to figure out how to, again, save money and not drive," she told the station.
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Among the main factors behind the increase, AAA Senior Public Affairs Specialist Anlleyn Venegas said, is the cost of oil.
"Oil is trading near or above $100 a barrel because of global supply concerns. And this is related to the conflict in the Middle East," Venegas noted.
More background
That jump in diesel matters especially in Kern County because agriculture, trucking, and other local industries depend heavily on it.
For Sharron Briggs, the weekly expense is substantial.
"I fill up every week so I would say [I spend] about $300," Briggs estimated.
After changing his car setup in an effort to use less fuel, driver Lupe Perez said the prices were still hard to accept.
"I got a six. I used to have an eight. I brought down maybe nine and you'd go to a four. I don't know, who knows. In time maybe I'll be driving a lawnmower," he quipped.
"We definitely need a break here. That's too much," Perez added.
What can be done?
To cut fuel use and spending, Venegas said drivers should focus on efficiency and compare prices from station to station.
"We are just telling drivers to do everything they can to maximize efficiency, to make sure that their vehicles maintenance is up to date," she advised.
"And to shop around for the cheapest gas," Venegas added.
Where can I learn more?
Bakersfield's price spike is part of a broader squeeze drivers are feeling in California and beyond. These stories cover rising pump anxiety, nationwide price trends, and EV cost comparisons.
• Nationwide, soaring fuel prices sparked pump anxiety as drivers weigh every mile.
• Across the U.S., gas prices in every state have reshaped budgets and travel plans.
• In Washington, the EV math has become harder to ignore with gasoline at $5.35 a gallon.
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