WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Will it, or won’t it? the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline could reach the $3 mark for the first time in four years.
Since last week, the national average has dropped more than 5 cents to $3.05. Several factors are behind the drop, including falling crude oil prices, lower gasoline demand, and cheaper winter-blend gasoline at the pump. The tropics have been relatively quiet, and storm activity hasn’t had an impact on gas prices. Today, California drivers will find an average of $4.64, a drop of 2 cents from last week.
Fuel Prices Around the State:
- San Francisco: $4.78
- Oakland: $4.64
- San Jose: $4.61
- Sacramento: $4.61
- Fresno: $4.59
- Stockton: $4.50
Contra Costa County
- Oct 17: $4.67
- Oct 10: $4.66
- Oct. 3: $4.61
- Sept. 26: $4.63
- Sept. 12 – $4.66
- Aug 28 – $4.62
- Aug 15 – $4.57
- Aug 8 – $4.58
- July 25 – $4.53
- June 27: $4.73
- June 6: $4.83
- May 23: $5.02
- April 3 – $5.08
- March 28 – $4.83
- March 6 – $4.91
- Feb 20 – $5.06
- Feb 7 – $4.59
California average gas prices
| Regular | Mid-Grade | Premium | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $4.645 | $4.885 | $5.064 | $5.134 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $4.649 | $4.890 | $5.067 | $5.137 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $4.664 | $4.904 | $5.082 | $5.155 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $4.656 | $4.891 | $5.071 | $5.169 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $4.663 | $4.885 | $5.056 | $4.955 |
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 8.91 million b/d last week to 8.45 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 219.1 million barrels to 218.8 million. 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 43 cents to settle at $58.27 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 3.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 423.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% 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.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.64), Hawaii ($4.48), Washington ($4.44), Oregon ($4.05), Nevada ($3.87), Alaska ($3.86), Idaho ($3.45), Arizona ($3.43), Utah ($3.37), and Pennsylvania ($3.23).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($2.56), Arkansas ($2.63), Texas ($2.64), Mississippi ($2.64), Wisconsin ($2.65), Louisiana ($2.67), Ohio ($2.67), Kentucky ($2.68), Missouri ($2.70), and Tennessee ($2.72).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (53 cents), Alaska (50 cents), Hawaii (47 cents), South Carolina (44 cents), Alabama (43 cents), New Hampshire (43 cents), Arkansas (43 cents), Louisiana (42 cents), Montana (42 cents), and Tennessee (42 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (26 cents), Maryland (28 cents), Missouri (28 cents), Nebraska (28 cents), Utah (28 cents), Vermont (32 cents), Delaware (32 cents), North Carolina (32 cents), Colorado (33 cents), and Iowa (33 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay
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 6.8 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
- Oct 10 – AAA: Pump Prices Rise Slightly After Southern California Refinery Fire
- Oct 3 – AAA: October Begins with Steady Pump Prices in California
- Sept. 26 – AAA: Fall Brings Falling Gas Prices
- Sept. 19 – AAA: Woes at the Pump for West Coast Drivers
- Sept. 12 – California Gas Prices Trend Up as Seasonal Shift Begins
- Aug 29 – AAA: Midwest Refinery Flooding Causes Jump at the Pump
- Aug 22 – AAA: How Low Will Gas Prices Go?