With record gas prices in B.C., is it worth going to the U.S. to fill your tank?
Like B.C., Washington state is seeing record-high gas prices. But it's significantly cheaper to fuel up in Blaine than just across the border in Surrey.
A gallon of regular gas is $5.35 on credit card at the H Street Shell station near the Pacific Highway crossing in Blaine. That equates to $1.82 a litre Canadian, which is 50 cents cheaper than most stations in Metro Vancouver.
The savings are even better if British Columbians have American dollars in their wallet. Gas is 10 cents a gallon cheaper in Blaine if drivers pay with cash.
Rod Allegretto had done the math for his large truck. "I think it costs over 200 bucks a tank back home now, so I’m saving," he said as he pumped gas at the H Street Shell.
"I didn’t realize at first that the gas was so cheap. You are saving 50 cents a litre," said fellow south Surrey resident Dave Bockus. Both men have Nexus cards, making border crossing quick and easy.
People without Nexus would likely wait longer, and Metro Vancouverites who live further from the border would burn more gas to get to Blaine. British Columbians also need to be fully vaccinated to drive back into Canada, and they have to register their trip on the ArriveCan app.
While the savings aren’t worth it for everyone, the owner of the H Street Shell is seeing a big uptick in business from across the line.
"I think we are a lot better price-wise than Canada right now, so we definitely see more of a drive of Canadian customers being here," said David McEvoy, who was sporting a pin with a large maple leaf that said 'Welcome Back Canada.'
His business suffered during the pandemic when British Columbians couldn’t cross the border for gas and groceries. We see a lot more now, thank goodness. It’s just fantastic."
While is relatively easy for him to fill up in Washington state, Bockus wants the province to step in to make gas prices lower in B.C. "It seems like taxes would be the one way they could regulate it easier. If the government is saying it’s too high, they control the taxes."
Allegretto agrees, saying, "Yeah it’s pretty much the taxes that’s hurting us back home for sure."
As long as they can save big by driving south, both men will continue making the trek to Blaine. And McEvoy is happy to have them.
His message for British Columbians fed up with gas prices back home?
"Come over here, we’ll help you out. We’ll save you some good money."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.