Gas prices in Contra Costa County continue to creep up with the average cost being $5.05 per gallon — up from $4.59 last week. Meanwhile, California is paying on average $4.82 while last week was California $4.52. AAA says the national average is $3.16 per gallon.
Seasonal Trends Nudge Gas Prices Upwards
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — As spring approaches, refineries are beginning their transition to summer blend fuel, which often results in higher prices this time of year.
This week, gas prices rose by a few cents, bringing the national average to $3.16 per gallon. California drivers will find an average price of $4.79, an increase of 27 cents from last week. Routine seasonal maintenance and an offline refinery in Northern California are putting additional strain on supply. These factors are pushing gas prices up, which means consumers may see higher prices at the pump as warmer months approach.
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remains the same at 34 cents.
Fuel Prices Around the State:
- San Francisco: 5.11
- Oakland: 4.98
- San Jose: 4.94
- Sacramento: 4.93
- Fresno: 4.76
- Stockton: 4.80
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI dropped $1.95 to settle at $71.37 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 4.1 million barrels from the previous week. At 427.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Quick Gas and Electricity Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.79), Hawaii ($4.55), Washington ($4.10), Nevada ($3.85), Oregon ($3.74), Arizona ($3.40), Alaska ($3.39), Pennsylvania ($3.36), Illinois ($3.27), and Washington, DC ($3.27).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.68), Texas ($2.74), Oklahoma ($2.75), Louisiana ($2.76), Kentucky ($2.79), Alabama ($2.82), Tennessee ($2.82), Kansas ($2.84), Arkansas ($2.84), and Missouri ($2.85).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (55 cents), West Virginia (47 cents), Montana (44 cents), Tennessee (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), New Hampshire (41 cents), South Carolina (41 cents), and Alaska (41 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Nebraska (24 cents), Maryland (25 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Iowa (28 cents), Texas (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Michigan (29 cents), North Dakota (30 cents), and South Dakota (31 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay.
AAA Members Save More on Gas
AAA Members save on gas and EV charging with the Fuel Rewards Program® at Shell, at Love’s Travel Stops, and at EVgo public fast charging stations.
Not a AAA Member? Save $1/gal on your first 3 fill-ups at participating Shell gas stations when you join AAA. Click here for details.
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