WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – California gas prices have jumped a dime since last week as prices across the country are creeping back up just in time for the busy summer driving season. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.92 in California.
The national average for a gallon of regular is up 4 cents from last week, as the price of crude oil rises and demand goes up. Typically, the seasonal increase in gas prices starts earlier in the spring, but lower crude oil prices this year have kept that from happening. The typical seasonal pattern is now beginning to emerge.
“Despite the upward trend, Californians are paying about 33 cents less compared to last year, which is good news for the record 39.4 million domestic travelers expected to take road trips over Memorial Day weekend,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson for AAA Northern California.
In Contra Costa County, a look at costs since February 2025:
- May 17: $5.12
- May 9 – $5.07
- May 2 – $4.88
- April 26 – $4.89
- April 18 – $4.97
- April 11 – $5.08
- April 3 – $5.08
- March 28 – $4.83
- March 21 – $4.75
- March 14 – $4.81
- March 6 – $4.91
- Feb 28 – $5.00
- Feb 20 – $5.06
- Feb 14 – $5.05
- Feb 7 – $4.59
Fuel Prices Around the State:
- San Francisco: $5.24
- Oakland: $5.13
- San Jose: $5.11
- Sacramento: $5.08
- Fresno: $4.99
- Stockton: $5.00
- Modesto: $4.92
- Redding: $4.90
- Yuba City: $4.83
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.71 b/d last week to 8.79. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 225.7 million barrels to 224.7. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.4 million barrels per day.
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 52 cents to settle at $63.15 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 4 million barrels from the previous week. At 441.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 36 cents. In California it’s 35 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.92), Hawaii ($4.49), Washington ($4.33), Nevada ($3.96), Oregon ($3.95), Alaska ($3.60), Illinois ($3.39), Arizona ($3.38), Utah ($3.30), and Idaho ($3.29).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.66), Tennessee ($2.71), Louisiana ($2.73), Alabama ($2.76), Texas ($2.80), South Carolina ($2.81), Arkansas ($2.81), Oklahoma ($2.82), Kansas ($2.85), and Missouri ($2.86).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (50 cents), Tennessee (48 cents), Alaska (47 cents), Montana (45 cents), Louisiana (44 cents), Hawaii (43 cents), South Carolina (43 cents), Idaho (41 cents), Arkansas (41 cents), and Kentucky (40 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (23 cents), Delaware (24 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Nebraska (27 cents), Maryland (27 cents), Iowa (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Texas (30 cents), Vermont (31 cents), and Washington (31 cents).
Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members
Previous:
- May 8 – California Gas Prices Could Skyrocket 75% as Refineries Close
- May 2 – AAA: Quiet Week at the Pump as Gas Prices Fluctuate Slightly
- April 25 – Gas Prices Drop Slightly in California
- April 18 – Unseasonal Slide: California Gas Prices Continue to Fall
- April 16 – Valero to Idle Benicia Refinery
- April 11 – Up and Down: California Gas Prices Reverse Course
- April 3 – Gas Prices Back Over $5 a Gallon in Contra Costa County
- March 28 – California Gas Prices Making Seasonal Climb
- March 21 – AAA: Gas Prices Make a U-Turn and Head Uphill
- March 14 – AAA: California Gas Prices Dip as Spring Break Travel Heats Up
- March 7 – AAA: California Gas Prices Shift Downward
- Feb 28 –AAA: California Drivers See a Slight Break at the Pump
- Feb 20 – California Gas Prices Now Highest in the Nation
- Feb 14 – Gas Prices Increase in Contra Costa County
- Feb 7 – California Gas Prices Tick Up Again Amid Tariff Concerns
