SAN ANTONIO – Drivers gassing up Thursday found shorter lines, or no lines at all, as well as prices that are 50 cents higher than they were before Hurricane Harvey.
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"Today was really nice because there was only one car ahead of me," said Janet Chavarria. "I waited not even five minutes."
A week ago, she waited an hour.
That's when Harvey disrupted the delivery chain, and panicked drivers sucked dry the gas as fast as it could be replenished. Patience was running on empty.
While there are still some bagged pumps around town, tankers can be seen refueling gas stations at a rapid pace.
Extra drivers have been flown in to help with deliveries, according to AAA.
Although the storm has passed, its impact lingers. Prices locally surged to their highest point in two years.
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The average price in San Antonio on Thursday was $2.56, a 38-cent spike since last week.
"It hurts the pocket, especially when you're limited," said Diana Vera.
Drivers should not expect to see prices come down immediately.
"Texans will continue to feel pain at the pump stemming from Harvey, with gas prices potentially increasing an additional 5 to 10 cents in the week ahead," said Daniel Armbruster, with AAA Texas.
And, if Hurricane Irma hits Florida this weekend, Arbruster said prices could go even higher.
Drivers may begin to see relief from the prices by the end of the month, according to oil analysts, but it may take until the end of the year for prices to deflate to pre-Harvey levels.
