Drivers keep watch on gas prices

Watching the numbers roll up on the gas pump meter, Manuel Ortega felt his wallet getting lighter and lighter.

"Its just keeps going and going," Ortega said as he filled up his red Ford pickup at the Valero on the corner of Padre Island Boulevard and FM 802. "I just hope it doesn’t get like it did when (Hurricane) Katrina hit. I was spending more than $100 a week."

After finishing filling up his gas tank at the price of $2.61 per gallon, the pump reads $65.23 and with a sigh takes the receipt from the meter.

"It could be worse, I guess," he said as he drove off. "In other places it is more expensive."

This week, Brownsville drivers felt a 10 cent pinch as the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the Rio Grande Valley went from $2.56 to $2.66, a report by Gasbuddy.com showed.

According to AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the average national price is $2.78; a year ago, the price was $1.93.

AAA figures for Brownsville were not available because the car club doesn’t survey the Valley.

The report also listed the lowest price at $2.56 for a gallon of unleaded at the Murphy USA station at the corner of Padre Island Boulevard and FM 802.

The most expensive gas price was $2.75 per gallon at the Exxon station on the corner of North Expressway 77 and FM 802.

The rising cost of gasoline might put a damper on Mario Canales’ plans, who is an avid angler. Canales said that in the past he regularly traveled to South Padre Island and Port Mansfield to partake in the sport.

"Last spring gas was cheap, but if it keeps going up I may have to stick to the Island and not go as often," Canales said. "Money is tight and everyone is hurting. I guess I may have to make a sacrifice."

According to AAA, last year, consumers paid an average of $1.71 per gallon.

The rising gasoline prices didn’t affect Mayra Perez, who was gassing up her yellow VW Beetle at the H-E-B on Boca Chica.

"The prices don’t bother me," Perez said. "Every time I stop for gas I (just) put $10 so I don’t care."