Experts Suggest $20 Price Tag is Justified

If you’re planning a drive through Big Sur, brace yourself for a hefty expense at the pump.

In the quaint coastal village of Gorda-by-the-Sea, a remote gas station is making waves by charging nearly $10 per gallon, transforming what would typically be a quick refueling stop into a costly affair.

“Back in Los Angeles, gas prices are around $6 at most, which is already a shocker for many,” said driver Gustavo Fraga to NBC Los Angeles. “But here, it’s $10. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

According to station owner Leo Flores, these steep prices aren’t a result of price gouging. The unique challenges of this location contribute significantly to the cost. Without access to the electrical grid, the station relies on generators to power its pumps, and the fuel itself has to be transported over long distances through challenging terrain.

Each step in this logistical process adds to the cost, and interestingly, the station’s pumps are technically unable to display prices higher than $9.99, which is the maximum their system can handle.

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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.