EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Gas prices are rising across the Borderland, with drivers in El Paso now paying an average of about $3.53 per gallon for regular unleaded, according to AAA.

Some drivers say the higher prices are already impacting their daily routines.

“I remember paying like $2.43,” one El Paso driver said. “So from $2.43 to almost $3.50 that’s a drastic change.”

Others say they’re adjusting their habits to save fuel.

One student said she now stays on campus between classes instead of driving home.

“What I like to do is stay in school whenever I have a time gap between classes so I don’t have to drive anywhere and spend gas,” she said.

Another driver said higher prices have made him rethink unnecessary trips.

“What I do now is when I get home, not to try to go out as much as we used to if we don’t have to,” he said.

According to Daniel Armbruster with AAA, the recent spike is partly tied to global events.

“We’ve seen prices go up pretty much since the events in Iran broke out, and that’s the main driver of why we’re seeing these spikes right now,” Armbruster said.

However, seasonal factors also play a role. Gas prices often rise in the spring as refineries switch from winter-blend gasoline to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce. Warmer weather and increased travel during spring break can also push demand higher.

Armbruster said El Paso frequently sees higher gas prices than the Texas average, likely due in part to transportation costs.

“We suspect that prices in El Paso tend to be higher because of distribution costs and the cost to get fuel to that part of the state,” he said.

AAA recommends several ways drivers can try to save money at the pump, including accelerating smoothly, avoiding rapid acceleration and making sure tires are properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency. Drivers can also use mobile apps to compare gas prices and find cheaper fuel nearby.

Experts say it’s difficult to predict where prices will go next, as global oil markets continue reacting to events overseas.

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