State gas tax rises to an estimated 54 cents a gallon as travelers hit road for holiday weekend
On Friday, California's gas tax will jump from around 51 cents a gallon to about 54 cents a gallon.
The rise in the gas tax comes the same weekend that AAA estimates 2.7 million people will hit the road, despite the average gas price in California soaring to more than $6 a gallon.
"It's getting crazy," driver Elliot DeJesus told CBSLA. "My car used to be $40 to fill up. Now it's $69.45 — I'm over it."
Another SoCal driver, Donna Horn, said she knew the price hike was coming, which is why she was trying to fill up on Thursday.
"I'm very unhappy. I did actually pull in today because I knew it was going up tomorrow 3 cents, but 3 cents is 3 cents and this place was packed," Horn said.
Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog, agreed, saying the tax increase is not a good thing.
"It's horrible," Court told CBSLA. "We're paying $1.50 more than the average consumer across America. All together, we're only paying maybe $.60 more at the pump for environmental programs and extra gas taxes. The rest of the $1.50 difference with the rest of America is price gouging by the refineries."
California's gas tax is the second highest in the nation.
"We got a lot of roads in California. We don't have many tolls, so that's where the taxes go. They go to keep the roads up," Court explained.
While some people, like driver Janie Mudrick, are fine with the higher gas prices because, as she explained, it's even more expensive than in Europe, the timing of the scheduled increase is enough to keep others from traveling for the Fourth of July holiday.
"I'm just staying home this holiday. I guess the entire economy plays into that," said driver Tony Perez.
For those who are traveling, it took more than just a second thought to celebrate the weekend's festivities.
"We're driving up to San Diego," said Jessica Varela, another driver heading out Friday morning. "Had to think about it. Almost didn't do it."
Fliers were also subjected to travel troubles, as airlines continue to delay or cancel flights altogether for a variety of reasons, including short-staffed crews.
On Friday alone, LAX reported more than 30 delays and 13 cancelations.
To accommodate for the already stressful task of traveling during a holiday weekend, Delta Airlines completely wiped change fees and fare differences as they face their own challenges in the form of picketing pilots, amongst other things.
