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Gasoline Prices in Baja, Mexico
In driving Baja and Mexico in general many people have asked about the price of gasoline (gasolina) and or diesel. All fuel PEMEX stations are operated ands subsidized by the Mexican government.
In an unpopular move, Mexico’s state-owned Pemex oil company announced on July 18th, 2008 it will reduce gasoline supplies for Baja California soon. Ramiro Zuniga Salazar, president of the Onexpo Baja Gasoline Station Operators Association, said Pemex informed gas station operators in a July 7 letter that it would begin reducing gasoline deliveries of the Magna brand from 80 million liters to 72 or 74 million liters per month. This is due in part to the fact the Mexico subsidies the price of gasoline to the tune of about 14 billion dollars per year. Pemex feels that at least part of this subsidy is being benefited by those north of the border, driving into Mexico to buy cheaper gas.
In light of this information, Pemex contends that Mexico is simply running out of oil. In a recent letter to the lower house of the Mexican Congress, Pemex said the country has only 9.2 years of proven oil reserves remaining.
PEMEX fuel prices for gasoline and Diesel in Baja California as of June, 1st 2008 are in the following table. The prices have been converted to U.S. gallons but are in pesos. The price of Gas is supposed to be the same throughout all of Mexico but the government has chosen to allow for higher prices in the northern border areas of Mexico because of the Americans that are coming over the border to purchase gasoline and diesel at a very large discount relative to the U.S. prices.
Just so you know the Magna which is the regular gas is green (verde) and the Premium is red (rojo) and many people just say the color and fill it up (llenarlo) please (por favor). I have used the conversion of 1 U.S. gallon equals 3.785 liters for these fuel prices. Currently the U.S. dollar is very close to 10 to 1 so in most cases you can see the price for a gallon of gas is between $2.85 and $2.59 per gallon and diesel is $2.21 per gallon; Obviously a lot less than in the U.S. or Canada.
This of course is because Mexico has its own oil and subsidizes it to make it affordable for all to drive. We of course have no idea how long they can keep this up but for now driving in Baja and Mexico in general is not that expensive.
|
Baja (Norte) |
Baja (Norte) |
Baja Sur |
Baja Sur |
|
Liters in Pesos |
Gallons in |
Liters in Pesos |
Gallons in |
Magna (regular unleaded) |
$7.53 |
$28.50 / $2.76 |
$6.86 |
$ 25.97/ $ 2.52 |
Premium |
$8.62 |
$32.63 / $3.16 |
$8.61 |
$ 32.59 / $3.16 |
Diesel |
$5.84 |
$22.10 / $2.14 |
$5.84 |
$ 22.10 / $2.14 |
* calculated at the rate of 10.27 pesos per dollar
If you feel that any gas station (PEMEX) is not giving correct amounts then you may call PROFECO at 01 800 468-8722 toll free to report the station. PROFECO is in charge of weights and measures as well as consumer protection all people whether they are tourist or not. Please help report any discrepancies if you find them. It is the only way to help make sure that all people are treated fairly. The Mexican government does encourage your report, as they cannot fix something if they don't know the problem exist.
Insider Notebook: What do you save by filling up in Mexico
First, we have to assume that the comparison is just across the border, San Diego to Tijuana. At the time of this article, the average gas price in San Diego was $4.53 per gallon. The current price of Regular unleaded in the border areas is, with the exchange rate, about $2.76 per gallon, a savings of $1.77 per gallon.
The standard model car carries about 15 gallons, filling up in Mexico would save you $26.55. Hardly worth the drive across the border and the time to get back through US Customs. But, if you have a day trip planned, count on it as a 'free lunch'.
If you are driving one of those Yukon behemoths, you carry 26 gallons, but will only net 23, by the time you get this guzzler back across the border. The savings would be about $40.
I really don't see jerry cans as the solution either. Each 5 gallon jug saves you about $8.85 over US prices. If you don't mind the two weeks to get the smell of gas out of the car. Plus, according to news reports, some Mexican stations are not allowing the use of cans.
Diesel in San Diego is right about $5 per gallon. In Baja California border areas the current diesel price is stunning $2.14, or a savings of $2.86 per gallon by buying fuel in Mexico.
Your standard motor home carries about 75 gallons. If you own one of these, Mexico is the only place for you to vacation this year. A fill up will save you $132 per tank of gas and about $214 per diesel fill.
Now, if you are driving a Kenworth T660, a state of the art semi tractor, you carry 260 gallons of diesel. With that huge capacity the savings on a fill up is $743.
So, I guess the bottom line here is; Borrow your buddy's big rig tractor. Tell him you'll fill it up for him at 25% off the US prices, drive the wife to Ensenada in the big rig and have a $500 weekend on the town – Almost free!