Gas prices plunge in Baja

But heading south to fill 'er up has added costs for U.S. drivers
By Diane Lindquist
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Photo by PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune
May 9, 2006

TIJUANA – You won't find the cheapest gas in the region on one of those handy consumer Web sites. You'll find it south of the border.

While U.S. gas prices have been on a steep upward trajectory, the cost of fuel fell dramatically in Baja California over the weekend.

As of midnight Saturday, prices at Tijuana gas pumps dropped to $2.59 a gallon for magna, the country's 87 octane fuel, and $2.78 a gallon for 91 octane premium. Prices are even lower in Mexicali and Ensenada.

Tourists are starting to discover the low prices, too. But before San Diego County residents make a dash for inexpensive gas, they might want to consider some other factors: the cost of Mexican automobile insurance and the gas they'll use while waiting to get back into the United States. The wait at 4 p.m. yesterday at San Ysidro was an hour.

Taxi drivers in Mexicali were a major force in causing the price to fall.