Gas Prices Hit Four-Year Low

Some gas stations in the LA area are offering gas at $2.99 a gallon.

When gas prices dropped below $3 this week, the lowest in four years in Southern California, lines formed around the block for gas at an Arco in Downey with motorists eager to save a few bucks.

The Arco station seems to have spurred a trend, with twice as many gas stations in the LA area lowering their prices to $2.99 a gallon.

Gas prices are at their lowest since 2011. Gas is, on average, about $3.42 a gallon in LA, $3.35 in Orange County, and $3.04 nationwide.

"It’s always good news to have a little extra money in your pocket that you don’t have to spend at the gas station," said Marie Montgomery, a spokeswoman with the Automobile Club of Southern California. "Unfortunately, in California we've gotten too used to paying over $4 a gallon. I remember when people were saying, 'We'll never see national gas prices go below $3 a gallon again.' Tomorrow, this will probably happen."

And the cheap prices has led to a spike in demand from motorists.

"We average on a normal day maybe about a load, but right now we're averaging about maybe three loads a day." an Arco worker in Lakewood, which is charging $2.99 per gallon told NBC4.

And a driver said the last time he saw prices like they are currently was "before I was driving."

Gas price drops can be traced to a drop in crude oil prices.

There is no telling how long the steady decrease will continue, but winter gas blends are cheaper to produce.

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