The rise and fall of gas prices are being monitored throughout the nation constantly, and some of the highest prices are in Bakersfield.

California currently has the highest prices of any state. According to Jason Toews, the co-founder of BakersfieldGasPrices.com, Bakersfield is No. 2 for highest gas prices in the nation, just below San Francisco. “Bakersfield is definitely above average,” Toews said.

For students, this means trouble. The average amount that students pay for gas varies because of where they live, how many days they attend school and many other factors. Due to the high prices, students are forced to budget their money.

“People must be carpooling more and students can’t go out and do stuff with friends on the weekends,” said Bakersfield resident Ryan Nikkel, who attends BC five days a week and spends $35 a week.

There are many students who drive from Delano, Shafter, Tehachapi and Lake Isabella to attend school at BC and for them the cost can be higher.

“It’s crazy, it gets very expensive,” said Delano resident Monica Alvarez, nursing major.

“I think (the price) will just keep going up.”

Alvarez spends $40 per week and attends BC two days every week.

For about a week in February, Bakersfield beat San Francisco by three or four cents per gallon.