Lowest Gas Prices In Stockton Fall Below Three Dollars A Gallon

Gas prices have been steadily declining, and in Stockton the price has dropped below three dollars at one station, that's the first time in four years the price has been that low.

At Ernie's General Store in Stockton cars are lined up at the pumps.

The price for a gallon of self-serve regular gas is posted at $2.96. For Spencer McKinney that's worth making four trips this day.

"Because I'm going to come here and start filling my gas tank and all my cars, five gallon jugs, the cheapest gas in California."

GasBuddy.com reports stations in Sacramento are selling gas at $2.99.

Station owner Ernie Giannecchini says cheaper crude, less dependence on foreign oil, and no California refinery shutdowns have helped keep prices down and he's happy to pass the savings on to his customers.

 "And I think it's good for the economy and it gives them a chance to maybe come in and buy a sandwich besides because they're saving enough to pay for a sandwich."

But Giannecchini warns that the low prices will be short lived with a new state tax on gas coming in January.