WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – California gas prices fell this week but remain higher than the national average which hit a milestone after it dipped below $3 a gallon for the first time in four years.

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped five cents since last week to $4.51. That price is 12 cents higher than this time last year.

Meanwhile, the national average has remained at $2.99 since Tuesday. The last time the national average reached an even $3.00 or below was in May of 2021. Crude oil prices remain on the lower side around $60 a barrel.

“Sluggish gas demand and cheaper-to-produce winter blend gasoline are also contributing to the drop at the pump,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. “Gas prices typically hit their cheapest point of the year during winter, which is still a few weeks away.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 8.72 million b/d last week to 8.32 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 209.9 million barrels to 214.4 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day.

Fuel Prices Around the State: 

• San Francisco: $4.53
• Oakland: $4.41
• San Jose: $4.33
• Sacramento: $4.35
• Fresno: $4.41
• Stockton: $4.19

Contra Costa County

• Dec 5: $4.43
• Nov 21: $4.53
• Nov 14: $4.57
• Nov 7: $4.60
• Oct 31: $4.59
• Oct 23: $4.62
• Oct 17: $4.67
• Oct. 3: $4.61
• Sept. 26: $4.63
• Sept. 12 – $4.66
• 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 increased from 8.87 million b/d last week to 9.02 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 206 million barrels to 205.1 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.9 million barrels per day.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 31 cents to settle at $58.95 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 0.6 million barrels from the previous week. At 427.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% 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 38 cents. In California, the cost per kilowatt hour is 41 cents.

State Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.51), Hawaii ($4.44), Washington ($4.14), Oregon ($3.75), Nevada ($3.68), Alaska ($3.68), Arizona ($3.27), Washington, DC ($3.20), Pennsylvania ($3.20), and Idaho ($3.19).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($2.40), Texas ($2.53), Arkansas ($2.55), Colorado ($2.56), Mississippi ($2.57), Tennessee ($2.58), Louisiana ($2.60), Iowa ($2.63), Wisconsin ($2.63), and Missouri ($2.64).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Alaska (48 cents), Hawaii (48 cents), Louisiana (44 cents), New Hampshire (44 cents), South Carolina (44 cents), New Jersey (43 cents), Alabama (42 cents), Tennessee (42 cents), and California (41 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Wyoming (26 cents), Missouri (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (31 cents), Vermont (31 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Maryland (32cents), Delaware (33 cents), and New Mexico (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

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• Nov 21 – Few Fluctuations at the Pump Ahead of Thanksgiving in California
• Nov 14 – A Steady Week for California Gas Prices Ahead of Thanksgiving