A Shell station in Los Angeles earlier this week. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA Shell station in Los Angeles earlier this week. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesLA drivers get creative as surging gas prices threatens love affair with the carShop around, coast downhill, band together – drivers tell of how they’re dealing with the costliest gas in the US
Jack Nooney has pretty much made peace with the traffic since moving to Los Angeles five years ago, but recent soaring gas prices have certainly added another layer of insult to his daily commute. The musician and full-time grocery deli employee drives from his San Fernando Valley apartment to Santa Monica daily. While it’s just nine miles each way, with LA traffic that often equates to a whole gas-burning hour.
Nooney, who makes $20/hour, says it’s become glaringly clear that fuel costs will eat up more of his already tight budget. Angelenos are now paying on average nearly $5.90 a gallon – and some stations are charging a shocking $8 a gallon. The outsized prices are directly related to the Iran war, which has created the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, according to the International Energy Agency.
On top of this, come spring, gas stations in California must switch to a summer blend formula, which is environmentally friendlier for hot weather – but also costlier to produce. Of course, the consumer pays.
For Nooney, the solution lies in conscious choices. When he’s heading southbound toward work, he stretches a tank of gas by shifting his manual transmission into neutral and coasting the I-405’s steep declines into West Los Angeles. On his return trip, he does the same northbound into Sherman Oaks. “It seems to help a little bit,” he said. He also scouts the best gas prices, preferring stations near his home rather than Santa Monica stations, which tend to be costlier.
When his band has a gig in West Hollywood “the whole band rides together” to save gas money, as the profit margins on their shows are already low. Ridiculously high gas prices are yet another strain on the endeavors of artists like Nooney, who comprise a fundamental backbone of the city: Los Angeles has one of the highest concentrations of independent creative talent in the US.
Chris Hardin, a music manager in Burbank, says his clients certainly feel it. One of his bands began a month-long tour as the Iran war broke out. By the time the band was done, gas prices for the thirsty trucks and buses had risen so much it blew their budget. “We always leave wiggle room; we always plan for contingencies. That’s just part of this business,” said Hardin. “But in more than 20 years doing this, having gas prices rise this much this quickly is definitely a first for me.”
Hardin employs his own personal saving strategies. He’s taking his motorcycle to work multiple times per week instead of the car. He’s happy to save fuel – plus it’s more fun, he says. He’s only forced into the car when he treks 40 miles each way for his side venture teaching as an adjunct professor at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. He doesn’t take the motorcycle because his class finishes late. Hardin makes the choice to burn gas rather than be unsafe – for now. “Luckily it’s only once a week, though,” he said.
Professional drivers, however, have few options, notes Jenise Blanc, who with her husband Randy Chance has owned LA’s Canyon Car Service for 25 years. Blanc and Chance are drivers and employ six others. The mainstay of their income derives from LAX pickups and drop-offs. Blanc says they’re now leaning into the two electric automobiles in their small fleet, but most of their cars take fuel. She’s had to absorb the increased costs.
“It’s really tough being a small business, because you can’t simply tack on a big fuel surcharge because of what’s going on,” she said. “We pay our drivers well and we’ve been successful because people trust us. We get lots of repeat business and referrals.” Blanc fears if she charges customers significantly more, she’ll alienate them. If the situation doesn’t improve soon, though, she may be forced to reevaluate. She’d consider bumping rates perhaps $5, at most $10. “Right now, we’re just sort of waiting and hoping things improve.”
Nooney, a former Uber driver, says even before the rising prices he found it nearly impossible to eke out a living that way. “I’d have to be driving, like, 12 hours a day just to make enough to eat.” At least his current position offers improvement – and he’s actively trying to get transferred to a store closer to home. Meanwhile, he’s implementing other cost-cutting strategies. For example, even with a 50% employee discount, he’s discovered it’s wiser to pack a sandwich for lunch. “With fuel costs and everything else so expensive, right now it’s just about saving wherever you can.”
