Here's how far gas prices fell in Metro Vancouver overnight

After weeks of gas prices soaring above $2 per litre and setting new records in Metro Vancouver, drivers in the region finally got a reprieve at the pumps Thursday morning.

Prices tumbled dramatically overnight, falling 35 cents at some stations from 227.9 cents per litre to 192.9. On Friday, they could fall even further to 189.9 cents per litre, according to gas-price prediction site Gas Wizard.

The drop comes after the region hit an all-time high of 241.9 on Sept. 30. That price was matched on Oct. 7.

Analysts explained the historically high prices were due to tight supply as a major pipeline and a refinery on the West Coast underwent maintenance.

That meant prices were particularly high in B.C. While Metro Vancouver drivers were paying around 227.9 Wednesday, prices in Toronto were 167.9 cents per litre and in Edmonton, they were 169.9.

But now that those facilities on the West Coast are back online, local prices are decreasing.

Before the price drop, B.C. Premier John Horgan said he was glad to see the prices decreasing, adding there's "volatility in the market."

"These are internationally traded commodities and government has very little control over the final price," Horgan said Wednesday.

"The taxes that are put into a litre of gas go towards our transit system and go towards building new bridges filling holes in our roadways. These are tax dollars that go to work to help the travelling public."

Drivers across the region flocked to stations to fill their tanks right up while the prices were low, some even brought jerrycans.

“For a lot of people this is going to be a big hardship. You know, these gas prices when you make minimum wage, I don't know how they can even do that. Along with the other things other commodities that have gone up to,” Debbie Matiets, from Coquitlam, told CTV News Vancouver.

She’s not the only one feeling the pinch.

“Gas goes up, everything goes up, and that’s what we’re up against,” said Roy from Port Coquitlam.

The price drops are much needed relief as British Columbians feel the sting of inflation with food prices are higher than the national average.

Although the cost of transporting goods is going down, grocery bills are expected to continue to rise.

“It boils down to price and price and demand elasticities. You can't really, as a retailer, you just don't play around with prices that much,” said Sylvain Charlebois, a food policy professor at Dalhousie University.

“Lowering prices is easy, raising prices again, it's much harder. You get attacked and criticized for that and that's kind of what's going on right now."