Why You Might Soon Pay $20 for This Must-Have Item

Motorists heading through Big Sur should be prepared to spend a hefty amount on gas.

The isolated gas station in the quaint seaside village of Gorda-by-the-Sea is demanding a steep price, nearly $10 per gallon, transforming what should be a simple fuel stop into an unexpectedly costly affair.

“In LA, the most we’re seeing is about $6 per gallon, which already feels excessive,” said driver Gustavo Fraga to NBC Los Angeles. “But here, at $10, it’s completely unprecedented for me.”

Leo Flores, the owner of the station, insists that the sky-high prices aren’t a result of price gouging. Due to the station’s remote location and lack of access to the main electrical grid, the pumps rely on generators. Additionally, the fuel has to be transported over challenging coastal terrain, further inflating the price.

These logistical challenges contribute to the soaring costs, and the pumps are technically limited to displaying a maximum price of $9.99 due to the station’s current system capabilities.

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For travelers used to California’s already high gas costs — the state average rose to $5.89 a gallon on Thursday — Gorda’s rates feel like highway robbery.

But locals say it’s the price of isolation. This stretch of Highway 1 has few alternative fuel stops, and for drivers heading north or south, it’s either pay the premium or risk running on fumes.

Many motorists fill up just enough to make it to the next station, rather than topping off their tanks.

“They probably could charge $20, and if you have to get gas, you have to get gas,” one driver told ABC 7.