Why Do Gas Prices Vary Across El Paso?

Filling up wherever is closest, convenience is key for Stephanie Alarcon. Still, she said she has noticed the differing gasoline prices around El Paso.

“I really think people just kind of make up their prices,” she said.

ABC-7 decided to check out the varying prices for regular unleaded with a cruise around the Sun City.

Starting with a drive down Montana Avenue, our crew spotted $3.78 at a station at the Cotton Street in Central El Paso. Father down Montana, the price jumped 11 cents to $3.89 by Airway Boulevard in the east side.

Next up, a trip through the lower valley. At Prado Road, the KVIA crew saw prices of $3.77 and $3.83 at stations next to one another.

It was the same story in West El Paso at Mesa Street and University Avenue. One station was selling regular unleaded for $3.79. Across the street, the price was $3.89.

So what gives?

A man behind the counter of a downtown Chevron store told ABC-7 pricing works like this: Each morning, the station receives a fax from its gasoline distributor telling it how much the next shipment of gas will cost, he said. The station then adds a few cents per gallon to make its profit and the total is what you and I pay.

Many gas stations are franchised from the oil companies and can have different distribution costs.

Nevertheless, El Pasoans KVIA spoke with said prices all over the city are just too high.

“It’s killing me,” said one driver. “It’s killing my pockets.”