Fed up Californian drivers are crossing the border into Arizona to save almost $3 a gallon on gas. Two stations just 1.8 miles apart across state lines show how unfairly California is being hit by extra taxes and fees imposed by Sacramento.
California Congressman Vince Fong said “Californians are being overtaxed and overregulated’’ and “the results of Gavin Newsom’s energy policies are … higher prices for working families.’’
The California Post was there as drivers crossed the Arizona border to save serious money at the pumps, shelling out $4.09 a gallon for gas they would’ve had to pay $6.99 a gallon for if they remained in their home state.
Californians are rocked by the country’s highest state gas tax at $.61 a gallon, compared to just $.18 in Arizona. Residents are also charged an additional $.34 to $.44 per gallon for emissions fees and climate programs.
“California drivers are being overtaxed and overregulated at the pump — plain and simple,’’ Rep. Vince Fong (R-Central Valley) told The Post.
“Californians can drive just a few miles across the border into Arizona and see gas that’s nearly three dollars cheaper. That’s not a coincidence — that’s a policy failure.
“Sacramento has created a manmade energy crisis through excessive taxes, mandates, and regulations that are driving up costs and shutting down needed refineries and pipelines. The results of Gavin Newsom’s energy policies are predictable: higher prices for working families.”
Cody Eggleston manages a small gas station in Needles, the small town on historic Route 66 hugging the banks of the winding Colorado River.
Cody Eggleston winces as the beating sun bakes the empty forecourt of the gas station he manages in Needles, the small town on historic Route 66 hugging the banks of the winding Colorado River. Andy Johnstone for CA PostWith turbo-charged pump prices reaching the stratosphere, the slim 28-year-old may be the loneliest gas station boss in all of California as fed-up drivers flee to cheaper pump prices.
Cody said savvy fuel shoppers — severely rattled by inflated prices in the Golden State — are flocking just two miles across the nearby K Street Bridge into adjacent Arizona where gas is far more wallet-friendly.
When The Post visited Cody’s Mobil station on Needles Highway, a gallon of regular gas cost an eye-watering $6.99.
Meanwhile, across the state border just a six-minute drive up Mohave Valley Highway into the Grand Canyon State, an identical gallon was available for just $4.09. Pictured: Samantha Walsh filling up. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
On the California side there are three gas stations — Chevron, Mobil and Shell — which are regularly empty due to the prices, local say. Andy Johnstone for CA PostMeanwhile, across the state border just a six-minute drive up Mohave Valley Highway into the Grand Canyon State, an identical gallon was available for just $4.09.
Californians are rocked by the country’s highest state gas tax at $.61 a gallon, compared to just $.18 in Arizona. There’s also an additional $.34 to $.44 charge per gallon for Californians to pay for emissions fees and climate programs.
“We used to get a lot of traffic, anybody coming out of California, every single person would stop here,” recalled Cody, who called out the state’s destructive eco-friendly fuel taxes for ravaging his business.
But today those good times are a distant memory.
Now even cost-conscious locals working in Needles — a 5,000-strong community known as the “Gateway to California” — don’t bother to purchase fuel there.
“The people [who work in Needles] all live in Arizona and we all get our fuel in Arizona,” explained Cody.
“We don’t buy gas in Needles, we all go across the bridge to Arizona. Right now I just paid $4.19 for premium and if you look at our premium it’s $6.60 right now.”
Cody said savvy fuel shoppers – severely rattled by inflated prices in the Golden State – are flocking just one mile across the nearby K Street Bridge into adjacent Arizona where gas is far more wallet-friendly. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
Local married mom-of-two Raven Carpenter, 30, pumping gas on the Arizona side, and said she would “absolutely not” buy gas in California. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
Meanwhile, despite it being a quiet weekday in the small Arizona town, there were still customers coming and going at the Arco station. Andy Johnstone for CA PostHe said his gas station has also endured a “dramatic” reduction in traffic in recent years.
The number of people who purchase gas dropped off in 2020 during Covid, Cody said, who doubles as a mechanic.
“They definitely stopped showing up as often and they’d drive straight past and they all go to Arizona, on the way to Lake Havasu or the Grand Canyon,” said the dad-of-two.
“Basically, anywhere on Route 66 they just drive right past us now.”
Shockingly, business is down more than 50 per cent overall in recent years. The station previously sold one million gallons a year.
From January this year until April 29, the current sales total stands at 78,000. In 2025 there were 305,000 gallons sold – and in 2024 it was 426,000.
“Customers come in to use the restroom and say they’re going to get gas in Arizona,” added Cody.
A sign in the window of the California Mobil breaks down the taxes drivers are having to pay due to California’s war on fuel. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
The two gas stations are just two miles apart and are separated by the K Street Bridge over the Colorado River, which marks the border between California and Arizona. Andy Johnstone for CA PostThe war with Iran hasn’t helped, Cody continued.
He said: “The prices in California, just last week we were at about $8 a gallon… whenever the Strait of Hormuz thing was happening prices were ridiculous.”
Across the bridge in Arizona’s Mohave Valley, a small town of just under 3,000, gleeful drivers fill up their tanks knowing they are saving money.
Caregiver Samantha Walsh, 22, visiting her boyfriend from Apple Valley in California, spoke with the Post as she filled up the tank in her Kia at the Arco station on Harbor Avenue before the three-hour drive home.
“You save two or three more dollars,” she said of the huge price difference. “There’s a difference for sure. “I make minimum wage so it’s helping to get gas in Arizona rather than California for sure.”
She said she was saving about $20 per tank filling up before hitting the road.
“Isn’t this just the perfect symbol of the Democrats’ climate insanity?” Steve Hilton, a Republican gubernatorial candidate for California told The Post. “Just as they’re driving people and businesses out of our state to escape the cost of housing now Californians are driving out of state just to get gas.
“As usual it’s regular working people who are screwed the most by these crazy policies, workers who have to drive their cars and trucks hours every day being viciously punished by the Democrats in the name of a climate religion that doesn’t even help the climate! What difference does any of this make to global temperatures? Nothing.
“Any if anyone thinks it can’t get worse — just look at the Democrat candidates for governor. Every single one of them is signed up to the climate goals that are main reason our gas prices are at least $2.00 higher than the rest of the country.
“I’ll take us in a completely different, common sense direction.”
Arco owner Paul Sun, 70, told the Post: “People from across the river come this way for gas. They’re glad that we’re here.” Andy Johnstone for CA Post
The parking lot at the Chevron in Needles is seen empty of traffic as California’s gas crisis continues to strangle gas stations. Andy Johnstone for CA PostLocal married mom-of-two Raven Carpenter, 30, was also pumping gas at the same Arco and would “absolutely not” buy gas in California.
Gas is generally “expensive but going across the bridge is way worse. I can’t afford that.” The zookeeper said of her family: “We all stay on the California side. Most of us would never go there.
“We like our little small town prices. I drive an hour and a half to work so gas is really important to me. I really have to budget and plan well.
“So any time I budget I make sure I don’t go across the bridge and I stay on the Arizona side. My husband also drives an hour to work so it’s a huge part of our budget.”
Together, the couple spends up to $400 a week on gas “so that adds up very quickly. “I couldn’t imagine having to pay California prices.”
The gas tax has been a major talker for California politicians, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who is running for Governor.
“I’m the only Democrat running for governor calling to suspend the gas tax despite my opponents claiming to care about affordability,” said Mahan.
“A temporary suspension during Trump’s war is the fastest way to provide critical relief to the millions of Californians who have no choice about buying the gas they need to get to work. And in the long run, we need to reform the tax so that everyone — EV owners and working people who can’t afford to transition from gas just yet — pays for the maintenance of our roads,” he added.
Arco owner Paul Sun, 70, told the Post: “People from across the river come this way for gas. They’re glad that we’re here.”
As a Post reporter prepared for their return run back to Los Angeles, the decision where to fill up before jumping on the freeway was – of course – an easy one.
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