WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – California drivers are getting a small break at the pump. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped five cents since last week to $4.60. The current price is two cents cheaper than this time last year.

Nationwide gas prices remained relatively quiet this past week. The national average for a gallon of regular went up a couple of cents to $3.07. Even though the national average hasn’t dropped below the $3 mark, drivers are paying less than they were this time last year, and that trend should continue as we enter the colder months.

“Gasoline demand goes down in the fall as fewer people are taking road trips,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. “The historic trend has been fuel prices dropping during autumn before reaching the bottom during winter.”

Fuel Prices Around the State: 

• San Francisco: $4.69
• Oakland: $4.61
• San Jose: $4.55
• Sacramento: $4.57
• Fresno: $4.54
• Stockton: $4.44

Contra Costa County

• Oct 23: $4.62
• 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

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand remained flat at 8.45 million b/d. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 218.8 million barrels to 216.7 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

Oil Market Dynamics 

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $1.26 to settle at $58.50 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories decreased by 1 million barrels from the previous week. At 422.8 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. In California, the cost per kilowatt hour is 38 cents.

State Stats 

Gas 

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.60), Hawaii ($4.48), Washington ($4.37), Oregon ($3.97), Alaska ($3.84), Nevada ($3.80), Idaho ($3.42), Arizona ($3.36), Utah ($3.31), and Illinois ($3.25).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.61), Texas ($2.61), Louisiana ($2.62), Oklahoma ($2.63), Tennessee ($2.64), Arkansas ($2.66), Alabama ($2.68), Kentucky ($2.69), Missouri ($2.70), and Kansas ($2.73).

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), Wisconsin (42 cents), Louisiana (42 cents), and Oklahoma (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), Delaware (32 cents), Vermont (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 Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, and Utah. 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

• AAA: National Gas Average Creeps Closer to $3 a Gallon
• 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?