BajaNomad

Gasoline Availability March/April 2022: Post your findings

David K - 3-22-2022 at 08:29 AM

Hi Nomads,
There seems to be an issue with the many now, non-Pemex brands of gas stations, being out-of gas...?

The word is their trucks are enjoying the higher prices north of the border and not wasting time delivering to the lower priced Mexican distributors...?

Pemex is thus getting more sales and running out before the next scheduled delivery.

I thought all the brands in Mexico still got fuel from the same depots (as they do here in the US, where you see the various brand tankers lined up at the same gas storage depot to load up...?

Is this simply a trucker issue or does ARCO gas sold in Baja come from a U.S. filled ARCO delivery truck, etc.?

Please post where you found the gas stations closed/ out-of-fuel... like reported at Gonzaga Bay this week. The San Felipe 250 mob will really strain San Felipe distributors!

Thanks for your feedback!

mtgoat666 - 3-22-2022 at 09:21 AM

gasoline shortages occur periodically in Baja,... that's why the advice has always been to fill up when you can!

dk, google can lead you to the news...

https://www.elimparcial.com/mexicali/mexicali/Desabasto-de-g...

https://www.elimparcial.com/tijuana/tijuana/Precio-de-gasoli...

KurtG - 3-22-2022 at 09:40 AM

On my recent trip I saw no stations regardless of brand that were out of gas. I bought Pemex, BP, Arco, VP, Total, Chevron branded gas from the border to as far south as Insurgentes. This was on Hwy's 1 & 3.

mojo_norte - 3-22-2022 at 10:54 AM

The station in Los Barriles had one pump out of regular on Monday- today fine. Reports of San Felipe being out premium

boe4fun - 3-22-2022 at 05:07 PM

The Pemex at the Los Pinos Ranch has diesel.

BooJumMan - 3-28-2022 at 08:59 AM

Not sure if it is relevant but the last 4 times going through Gonzaga, gas was only available 2 times. All 4 times diesel was out. Drove to Todos Santos both times, elsewhere was fine. Trips were in Oct 2021 and February 2022.

[Edited on 3-28-2022 by BooJumMan]

PaulW - 3-28-2022 at 09:15 AM

Fuel is trucked to stations in northern Baja from two places these days.
1) The fuel storage area west of Mexicali where the fuel arrives from California thru large pile lines. Sources to feed the pipe line probably come from more places than California refineries?
2) And trucked from the fuel storage marine terminal just north of Ensenada. The fuel arrives by boat with sources from California and Texas and probably other US places.
=== ===
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Hi Nomads,
There seems to be an issue with the many now, non-Pemex brands of gas stations, being out-of gas...?

The word is their trucks are enjoying the higher prices north of the border and not wasting time delivering to the lower priced Mexican distributors...?

Pemex is thus getting more sales and running out before the next scheduled delivery.

I thought all the brands in Mexico still got fuel from the same depots (as they do here in the US, where you see the various brand tankers lined up at the same gas storage depot to load up...?

Is this simply a trucker issue or does ARCO gas sold in Baja come from a U.S. filled ARCO delivery truck, etc.?

Please post where you found the gas stations closed/ out-of-fuel... like reported at Gonzaga Bay this week. The San Felipe 250 mob will really strain San Felipe distributors!

Thanks for your feedback!

mtgoat666 - 3-28-2022 at 09:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Fuel is trucked to stations in northern Baja from two places these days.
1) The fuel storage area west of Mexicali where the fuel arrives from California thru large pile lines. Sources to feed the pipe line probably come from more places than California refineries?
2) And trucked from the fuel storage marine terminal just north of Ensenada. The fuel arrives by boat with sources from California and Texas and probably other US places.
=== ===
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Hi Nomads,
There seems to be an issue with the many now, non-Pemex brands of gas stations, being out-of gas...?

The word is their trucks are enjoying the higher prices north of the border and not wasting time delivering to the lower priced Mexican distributors...?

Pemex is thus getting more sales and running out before the next scheduled delivery.

I thought all the brands in Mexico still got fuel from the same depots (as they do here in the US, where you see the various brand tankers lined up at the same gas storage depot to load up...?

Is this simply a trucker issue or does ARCO gas sold in Baja come from a U.S. filled ARCO delivery truck, etc.?

Please post where you found the gas stations closed/ out-of-fuel... like reported at Gonzaga Bay this week. The San Felipe 250 mob will really strain San Felipe distributors!

Thanks for your feedback!


my understanding is that baja has two products pipelines. one connects rosarito terminal to ensenada harbor, and another connects rosarito terminal to mexicali. much of the gasoline and diesel in mexicali come from rosarito via pipeline.
unaware of any cross-border product pipelines on CA-Baja border (there are natural gas lines that cross the border)

chippy - 3-28-2022 at 04:02 PM

Every station I´ve passed the last 2 days has had gas (all types) and diesel. TJ to Ensenada and Guadalupe Valley. Filled today in Ensenada (diesel 21.59 por litro). Heading to San Felipe thurs for the 250 will update later.

John Harper - 3-28-2022 at 04:44 PM
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Hi Nomads,
There seems to be an issue with the many now, non-Pemex brands of gas stations, being out-of gas...?

The word is their trucks are enjoying the higher prices north of the border and not wasting time delivering to the lower priced Mexican distributors...?


Great idea. Pick up a tanker full of subsidized gas, skip selling it to the local stations and sell it NOB. Or, to the cartels who do it more discreetly.

Times are ripe for piracy and profiteering. Beware, sailor.

John


[Edited on 3-28-2022 by John Harper]

David K - 3-28-2022 at 04:54 PM

Amigos, we are driving through San Quintin now. No problems finding gas on this side of Baja. All stations and brands open, so far! Baja Cactus tonight, Cataviña tomorrow and on to the mission then. Will report as long as there is Internet.

John Harper - 3-28-2022 at 04:56 PM

Right on, DK!

John

mtgoat666 - 3-28-2022 at 05:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Amigos, we are driving through San Quintin now. No problems finding gas on this side of Baja. All stations and brands open, so far! Baja Cactus tonight, Cataviña tomorrow and on to the mission then. Will report as long as there is Internet.


Dk,
Sometimes travel is best if you turn off your phone and ignore technology for the duration of the trip.
Please don’t ruin your trip by posting here (or anywhere) during your trip!

PaulW - 3-28-2022 at 07:34 PM

San Felipe is overwhelmed with visitors for the race and I was told no more gas this afternoon until the tankers arrive later.
Earlier around noon the el Dorado ARCO had lines at least 25 vehicles long creating a traffic jam on the highway.

WestyWanderer - 3-28-2022 at 09:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
San Felipe is overwhelmed with visitors for the race and I was told no more gas this afternoon until the tankers arrive later.
Earlier around noon the el Dorado ARCO had lines at least 25 vehicles long creating a traffic jam on the highway.


That’s great news for the town revenue wise.

John Harper - 3-29-2022 at 05:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
San Felipe is overwhelmed with visitors for the race and I was told no more gas this afternoon until the tankers arrive later.
Earlier around noon the el Dorado ARCO had lines at least 25 vehicles long creating a traffic jam on the highway.


Good news for local business, let's see what the gas prices are with new deliveries. Hopefully price gouging doesn't happen and hurt the locals themselves over the rich gringos.

John

mtgoat666 - 3-29-2022 at 06:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Amigos, we are driving through San Quintin now. No problems finding gas on this side of Baja. All stations and brands open, so far! Baja Cactus tonight, Cataviña tomorrow and on to the mission then. Will report as long as there is Internet.


Dk,
Sometimes travel is best if you turn off your phone and ignore technology for the duration of the trip.
Please don’t ruin your trip by posting here (or anywhere) during your trip!



Please don't confuse actual news like my reports with the stuff you believe from CNN. Freedom is choosing to not read vs. forcing silence on those you don't agree with.


See, technology is bad for you, makes you write crazy, angry chit. Put it down, don’t touch it for the duration of your vacation!

brewer - 3-29-2022 at 07:44 AM

El Dorado ARCO was out of diesel two days ago. Very crowded.

pacificobob - 3-29-2022 at 08:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Amigos, we are driving through San Quintin now. No problems finding gas on this side of Baja. All stations and brands open, so far! Baja Cactus tonight, Cataviña tomorrow and on to the mission then. Will report as long as there is Internet.


Dk,
Sometimes travel is best if you turn off your phone and ignore technology for the duration of the trip.
Please don’t ruin your trip by posting here (or anywhere) during your trip!



Please don't confuse actual news like my reports with the stuff you believe from CNN. Freedom is choosing to not read vs. forcing silence on those you don't agree with.


Now that's a bit of a stretch.

PaulW - 3-30-2022 at 11:12 AM

San Felipe
Premium and diesel available at El Dorado ARCO at 10AM today
Prices unchanged from last week

Udo - 3-30-2022 at 11:19 AM

Right on, David!
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Amigos, we are driving through San Quintin now. No problems finding gas on this side of Baja. All stations and brands open, so far! Baja Cactus tonight, Cataviña tomorrow and on to the mission then. Will report as long as there is Internet.


Dk,
Sometimes travel is best if you turn off your phone and ignore technology for the duration of the trip.
Please don’t ruin your trip by posting here (or anywhere) during your trip!



Please don't confuse actual news like my reports with the stuff you believe from CNN. Freedom is choosing to not read vs. forcing silence on those you don't agree with.

Udo - 3-30-2022 at 11:23 AM

I can agree with that.

I just went through, and gas is available. Most of the shortage happened in SF was because race/chase cres were filling 55-gallon barrels. But that is the fault of the attendants who should have allowed only the filling of vehicles.
Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
San Felipe
Premium and diesel available at El Dorado ARCO at 10AM today
Prices unchanged from last week

David K - 3-30-2022 at 07:09 PM

Gas and diesel at Gonzaga Bay today.

David K - 3-31-2022 at 10:50 AM

Just left San Felipe, and all stations open, no lines.
.

Hook - 3-31-2022 at 05:33 PM

I have relatives staying in Puerto Penasco right now (yeah, not Baja, but close). They are reporting several stations that are out of all fuels and long lines at the ones who have it.

"Amazing" how we have apparently gotten this perfect storm of pandemic cum Ukraine war that simply prevents deliveries that worked so well only three years ago.


[Edited on 4-1-2022 by Hook]

Bajaboy - 3-31-2022 at 06:24 PM

Might be a good idea to delete this post. Plenty of gasoline throughout Baja.

Hook - 3-31-2022 at 09:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Might be a good idea to delete this post. Plenty of gasoline throughout Baja.


And ignore the posts of outages?

More information is better than no information. Even if the information is that there are no major fuel disruptions.

Bajaboy - 3-31-2022 at 10:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Might be a good idea to delete this post. Plenty of gasoline throughout Baja.


And ignore the posts of outages?

More information is better than no information. Even if the information is that there are no major fuel disruptions.


There are no outages in Baja or Baja Sur...lots of rumors, though.

mtgoat666 - 4-1-2022 at 07:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Might be a good idea to delete this post. Plenty of gasoline throughout Baja.


And ignore the posts of outages?

More information is better than no information. Even if the information is that there are no major fuel disruptions.


There are no outages in Baja or Baja Sur...lots of rumors, though.


Boy,
There was a shortage in San Felipe earlier this week. Mass panic amongst the gringos! They filled many Facebook pages with their panic attacks! These gringos who survived the great fuel shortage of 2022 are today rushing to Walmart to buy/hoard 5-gal gas cans!

TMW - 4-1-2022 at 07:43 PM

No body is buying extra gas cans. We kept our eyes out for the gas stations and we didn't see a problem. We thought there may be a problem at San Felipe due to the race and all the people coming in but there was not.

Have faith Goat.

RFClark - 4-1-2022 at 08:46 PM

We drove up from Todos Santos last week. Gas was 20.69 at Costco in Cabo. No shortages and we didn't see $5-$6 gas until we got to goat country! That said the races always strain San Felipe’s resources.

Ateo - 4-2-2022 at 10:23 AM

Regarding the initial post, the terminal in Los Angeles is no longer sending loads of fuel anywhere south of the border as they were a while back. My guess was that was temporary as the majors got their logistics fine tuned. Fuel supply contracts are very serious and I highly doubt any major oil company would just abandon their contracts in Baja because it would be wasting their time. That would open them up to huge lawsuits for failure to deliver.

BajaGringo - 4-2-2022 at 04:37 PM

Mexico Suspends Fuel Subsidy to Border Region- Prices will go up this week n Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali

A federal gasoline subsidy by Mexico to soften price spikes will be suspended along the northern border region with the U.S. this week, citing shortages as more Americans drive south to fill their tanks.

The suspension of the subsidy from April 2-8 covers cities in the border states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora and Baja California, including Tijuana, one of the world’s busiest border crossings.

https://talkbaja.com/mexico-suspends-fuel-subsidy-to-border-...



Long Lines - Tijuana for fuel.jpg - 127kB

mtgoat666 - 4-2-2022 at 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  
Mexico Suspends Fuel Subsidy to Border Region- Prices will go up this week n Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali

A federal gasoline subsidy by Mexico to soften price spikes will be suspended along the northern border region with the U.S. this week, citing shortages as more Americans drive south to fill their tanks.

The suspension of the subsidy from April 2-8 covers cities in the border states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora and Baja California, including Tijuana, one of the world’s busiest border crossings.

https://talkbaja.com/mexico-suspends-fuel-subsidy-to-border-...





so what's the price gonna be raised to? ballpark

chippy - 4-2-2022 at 05:14 PM

Todays diesel price in San Felipe 22.69 por litro.

John Harper - 4-3-2022 at 05:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  

A federal gasoline subsidy by Mexico to soften price spikes will be suspended along the northern border region with the U.S. this week, citing shortages as more Americans drive south to fill their tanks.


Americans flocking into Mexico to enjoy the fruits of...SOCIALISM!

And now Mexican citizens in border regions will suffer higher prices due to our greed for gasoline. Fairly predictable, the Ugly American strikes again.

John

[Edited on 4-3-2022 by John Harper]

Findings of our March 28-31 Baja Trip

David K - 4-3-2022 at 08:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Hi Nomads,
There seems to be an issue with the many now, non-Pemex brands of gas stations, being out-of gas...?

The word is their trucks are enjoying the higher prices north of the border and not wasting time delivering to the lower priced Mexican distributors...?

Pemex is thus getting more sales and running out before the next scheduled delivery.

I thought all the brands in Mexico still got fuel from the same depots (as they do here in the US, where you see the various brand tankers lined up at the same gas storage depot to load up...?

Is this simply a trucker issue or does ARCO gas sold in Baja come from a U.S. filled ARCO delivery truck, etc.?

Please post where you found the gas stations closed/ out-of-fuel... like reported at Gonzaga Bay this week. The San Felipe 250 mob will really strain San Felipe distributors!

Thanks for your feedback!


Our first fuel stop was in Ensenada, followed by fuel stops at El Rosario, Cataviña, Gonzaga Bay, and Tecate.

No place we saw had closed stations or lines of cars waiting to get gas.

Here are the gas station photos I took:

EL ROSARIO





CATAVIÑA







GONZAGA BAY







SAN FELIPE













PaulW - 4-4-2022 at 08:11 AM

Regarding gas in San Felipe. Yes the gas trucks arrive in town for early morning use at all the stations.
The ARCO north is the place most folks stop when arriving and sure enough the station runs out of gas by lunch time every day during the race weekend.
Yes, very long lines when the have gas. And the lines inside at the OXXO were huge.

JDCanuck - 4-11-2022 at 08:40 AM

Overall, the gasoline price controls in Mexico appear to be working very well. Inflation has stabilized in Mexico while it continues to menace elsewhere due to higher fuel costs working through the supply system.

John Harper - 4-11-2022 at 09:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
Overall, the gasoline price controls in Mexico appear to be working very well. Inflation has stabilized in Mexico while it continues to menace elsewhere due to higher fuel costs working through the supply system.


Gasoline subsidies are not price controls. It's government spending money that could otherwise be used for other social services, like healthcare, housing, food, etc.

John

JDCanuck - 4-11-2022 at 09:58 AM

Hi John: My understanding of the treasurer's statement was they were applying the increasing money received on excise taxes to reduce the consumers' cost of gasoline at the pumps by first removing additional retail taxes and using other excesses to subsidize. Up here we continue taxing both ends and the governments have a windfall of revenues at present. I would hope they apply those excess revenues wisely as the resulting inflationary pressures on housing, healthcare and food are becoming extreme especially for the working classes and retirees. I personally think attacking the root cause is the most effective as Mexico has chosen as long as normal supplies can be maintained.

[Edited on 4-11-2022 by JDCanuck]

John Harper - 4-11-2022 at 10:05 AM

Similar to the US releasing oil from the SPR. Taxpayers paid for that oil to create the SPR, so releasing it is just reducing the value of a "paid for" asset. Like selling off your personal possessions to buy food. It's not realistically sustainable.

But. with fiat money and credit markets, perhaps it is. At least until this unique confluence of market distortions has passed.

John

[Edited on 4-12-2022 by John Harper]

Hook - 4-11-2022 at 08:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  
Mexico Suspends Fuel Subsidy to Border Region- Prices will go up this week n Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali

A federal gasoline subsidy by Mexico to soften price spikes will be suspended along the northern border region with the U.S. this week, citing shortages as more Americans drive south to fill their tanks.

The suspension of the subsidy from April 2-8 covers cities in the border states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora and Baja California, including Tijuana, one of the world’s busiest border crossings.

https://talkbaja.com/mexico-suspends-fuel-subsidy-to-border-...





I believe I read this suspension of the subsidy was revoked within 48 hours of being proposed. Fuel remains cheaper along the border than in the interior of Mexico.

mtgoat666 - 4-11-2022 at 09:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


I believe I read this suspension of the subsidy was revoked within 48 hours of being proposed. Fuel remains cheaper along the border than in the interior of Mexico.


If you can find it. I passed thru Mexicali east northbound yesterday (Sunday afternoon) and was hoping to fill up with that cheap, cheap, cheap gasoline, but last 5 miles or thru Mexicali every gas station we passed had blocked off their fuel islands, I assume because they were out of precious lifeblood due to greedy gringos addicted to petroleum having drained the tanks dry over the weekend :lol:

John Harper - 4-12-2022 at 04:29 AM

Americans love Socialism, especially when someone else is paying for it.

John

RFClark - 4-29-2022 at 09:25 PM

Goat

Technology lets me charge my car off the 4KW of new solar panels I just installed on the garage and not care whether San Felipe has any gas! It also lets me use the phone finally south of cell service from San Felipe!

mtgoat666 - 4-30-2022 at 07:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
Goat

Technology lets me charge my car off the 4KW of new solar panels I just installed on the garage and not care whether San Felipe has any gas! It also lets me use the phone finally south of cell service from San Felipe!


I am amused at the whiners. Every few years they all in unison complain about the price of fuel, but they never learn their lesson and buy economical vehicles or make fuel-wise life choices.
Stupid people never learn!

boe4fun - 4-30-2022 at 08:02 AM

This is dated, but I just thought I’d add this:
Coming into TKT on the toll road from the Cortez side, the first gas station (Pemex), on the right hand side of the road was completely out of diesel. This was on Thursday, April 22nd.

RFClark - 4-30-2022 at 08:51 AM

Goat,

It’s not “whining” to wonder why gas is about $3.85 in Mexicali and $5 -$6 per Gal in Imperial Co in the Peoples Republic of CA! Further north Arco is selling in mid $5s while Arco Calexico is $5.11!

That sort of pricing does make you wonder about being ripped off! Because you are!

JDCanuck - 4-30-2022 at 09:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
Goat,

It’s not “whining” to wonder why gas is about $3.85 in Mexicali and $5 -$6 per Gal in Imperial Co in the Peoples Republic of CA! Further north Arco is selling in mid $5s while Arco Calexico is $5.11!

That sort of pricing does make you wonder about being ripped off! Because you are!


RFClark: I admire and wish to copy your concerted attempts to reduce your carbon footprint well ahead of those privileged elite that tell us constantly people like you and I are the problem. This while they build massive mansions, buy more yachts and private jets and drive your and my food and other necessity costs up. All this does is prevent us from investing our more limited surplus funds in energy saving devices.
EV's and solar systems are still not affordable for the masses, unfortunately. This should be our ultimate goal.

The primary beneficiaries of driving oil costs up by restricting the supplies have been the petroleum exporters, not the lower waged people that are finding fuel costs driving food and other costs up at escalating rates.

[Edited on 4-30-2022 by JDCanuck]

RFClark - 4-30-2022 at 07:01 PM

San Felipe Fuel Report Saturday!

To sum it up, it’s a nothingburger! People were buying diesel at the Chevron station so I assume they had some. I bought Regular and others bought premium so I assume that they had both. There were no lines. We drove as far north as the last gas station and saw nothing unusual in the way of lines or covered pumps! The 1st station north of the arch was receiving a delivery of some grade of fuel.

RFClark - 4-30-2022 at 07:11 PM

JD,

Carbon is good! $$$ and Blue Skys are better! With the 4K of new panels for about $2,500 - $3,000 U.S. installed we can run 42K Btus of AC all day and charge the Hyundai plug hybrid. Roundtrip to SF of 110KM at 80MPG. We gas up in Mexicali when we drive to the Goat’s People’s Republic! 600 miles range!

RFClark - 4-30-2022 at 09:16 PM

The Ioniq Plug Hybrid has a little better than a 30 mile EV range. But where it really shines is sitting in traffic with the AC running and the motor starting every few mins to charge the battery. Think crossing the border here!

RFClark - 5-1-2022 at 09:13 AM

Yes, extended milage is between 50 and 60 mpg.

RFClark - 5-4-2022 at 10:44 PM

We were in Mexicali today. COSTCO was out of regular. The in town ARCO station in San Felipe was out of premium! Prices are about the same. Regular at COSTCO was 19.55/L if they had any!