LOS ANGELES -- Hundreds of Los Angeles-area drivers got a break from soaring fuel prices Thursday. Actually, they got free gas.

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Motorists waited in long lines at Shell gas stations in Santa Monica, Burbank and Manhattan Beach.

The statewide average for regular unleaded has climbed to a wopping $2.04 a gallon. That's a penny more than a statewide record set two years ago.

An online bank promoted its business by offering the free gas. The promotion started at 6:30 a.m. However, by the time it started, some lines leading to Shell stations were three miles long.

"There are probably about a thousand vehicles out here at best. Once people started to see the news and see that there was free gas, they just showed up in mass and we had to shut it off," Sgt. Rick Madrid said.

Some of those who managed to get in line before authorities turned motorists away waited five hours or more to fill up for free.

"It is free gas and when you got here it did seem ludicrous to wait here for so long in a ridiculous line, but it did feel like you were a part of something," motorist Mary Rim said.

People like Caryn Saetta got into line way before day break in hopes of beating the rush.

"We got a coupon that says you get a free tank of gas, and so I didn't want to wait in line for 12 hours to get it so I figured I would come early," motorist Caryn Saetta said.