As gas prices rise, some drivers head to Mexico

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) – U.S. drivers without ceasing the southern border could cut .20 or other per gallon from their rising elastic fluid costs right now — but in that place is a catch.

They have to have existence willing to brave long delays at the edge and run the risks of freebooting, kidnap, and drug cartel violence to scheme the gas stations in Mexico.

Among those structure the trip is Chad Foster, a previous mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas, who made the evade over the Rio Grande to Piedras Negras, in Mexico’s northern Coahuila state.

“When Piedras prices are below ours, a segment of Eagle Pass residents pass to Piedras Negras to fill up,” uttered Foster, who works in real possessions.

U.S. pump prices for thorough unleaded gas ticked up to one average .82 Saturday, according to the AAA quotidian fuel gauge report, with prices reaching approximately .20 in California.

Pump prices are surging in the same proportion that oil rises to 9 a barrel put ~ a stronger U.S. economy and ~fare in Libya limits its output.

But toward the ~ of the border prices at undivided gas station on Friday ranged from 34.4 pesos a four quarts for regular to 38.8 pesos in quest of premium — equivalent to .94 to .31 a gallon.

Rising interest in cheap gas in Mexico — to which place state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos plans to be consumed about .3 billion on subsidizing material for burning this year — has echoes of July 2008, while average prices hit a record .11 a four quarts stateside.

Tempers frayed amid long lines and succinct supplies in 2008 when American drivers flocked to northern Mexico stations.

VIOLENCE, WAIT TIMES GIVE PAUSE

But this time round, soaring drug violence and growing wait general condition of affairs at border crossings are giving some residents of larger California and Arizona margin cities pause.

Cartel mayhem last year claimed other than 12,400 lives in Mexico — through most deaths in states flanking the U.S. adorn with a ~. Kidnappings and extortion have also risen, piling up~ hazards.

If that were not disincentive enough, the U.S. and Mexico accept tightened security at crossings the fulness of the nearly 2,000-mile boundary to curb immigrant, drug, gun and coin smuggling. Crossing delays have drawn extinguished to several hours at times, putting more drivers off.

“Gasoline is cheaper in Tijuana and the armed force presence makes me feel safer, if it be not that the problem is it takes such long to cross the border,” before-mentioned Ivan Pavon, a San Diego, California, structure worker.

“You have to inquire yourself if it’s merit the hassle?” Pavon said being of the cl~s who he filled his car with gasoline in Tijuana forward Friday.