Gas tops $5 a gallon in California desert town
Bea Karnes
Seeing the price of gas in one California town may make you feel a little better about what you're paying at the pump. Those unlucky enough to run out of fuel in Gorda, California are paying $5.40 per gallon. James Willman runs the Amerigo Gas Station.
He has a way of wiping the smile off his customers' faces when he mentions the $5.40 price tag for a single gallon of full serve premium.
One reason they charge so much is because the town of Gorda gets all its power from a generator. The extra profits from these pumps help foot that bill.
Another reason is because they can. They're the only game in town and the only town for miles. "If you're out in the desert without water and you want a jug of water and they charge ya 30 bucks for jug of water, I wouldn't feel sorry for you. Look before you leap, right?," Willman chuckled.
Many tourists don't plan ahead. So many that James has already run out of regular and mid-grade. Locals know better. Willman says he doesn't drive much himself. His reason? "It costs too much," he explained.
