WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – California gas prices continue to rise along with the national average which rose above $4 for the first time since August 2022.
The price for a gallon of regular gas across the state rose five cents in the last week to $5.89. That price is $1.01 higher than last year. Meanwhile, the national average rose 10 cents to $4.08.
“Crude oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed,” said AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Julian Paredes. “In 2022, gas prices remained elevated from March through August, peaking in June when the national average reached a record of $5 per gallon for one week.”
Fuel Prices Around the State:
- San Francisco: $6.06
- Oakland: $5.92
- San Jose: $5.88
- Sacramento: $5.77
- Fresno: $5.79
- Stockton: $5.70
Contra Costa County
- April 3, 2026 – $5.94
- March 27, 2026 – $5.88
- March 20, 2026 – $5.70
- March 12, 2026 – $5.49
- March 6, 2026 – $4.95
- March 5, 2026 – $4.88
- Feb 27, 2026 – $4.75
- Feb 20, 2026 – $4.73
- Feb 13, 2026 – $4.70
- Feb 6, 2026 – $4.50
- Jan 30, 2026 – $4.39
- Jan 16, 2026 – $4.23
- Jan 9, 2026 – $4.23
- Dec. 19, 2025 – $4.31
California average gas prices
| Regular | Mid-Grade | Premium | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $5.895 | $6.135 | $6.319 | $7.590 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $5.891 | $6.131 | $6.315 | $7.559 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $5.844 | $6.085 | $6.271 | $7.172 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $4.674 | $4.894 | $5.082 | $5.149 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $4.918 | $5.120 | $5.297 | $5.043 |
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.92 million b/d to 8.68 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 241.4 million barrels to 240.9 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
AAA Shares Tips to Help Drivers Save on Gas
Avoid Speeding: Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Driving the recommended speed limit can increase fuel economy between 7 and 14 percent.
Regular vs. Premium: Pay close attention to the words “recommended” and “required.” If regular gas is recommended for your vehicle, that’s all you need. Choosing premium when your car doesn’t require it will only cost you money and doesn’t improve fuel economy.
Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle (e.g., trunk, cargo area, etc.) as weight increases the amount of effort it takes to move the vehicle.
Avoid Excessive Idling: When idling, car engines use up to one-half gallons of fuel per hour. Warm engines take about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. Shut off your engine when stopped for more than a minute and if it’s safe to do so.
Check Tire Pressure and Align Tires: Maintaining proper tire pressure reduces your tire’s friction with the road. Less friction means less energy is needed to move, resulting in using less gas. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by 0.6 percent on average.
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $1.26 to settle at $100.12 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 5.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 461.6 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 0.1% above 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 41 cents. In California, the average price is 46 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.89), Hawaii ($5.50), Washington ($5.36), Oregon ($4.96), Nevada ($4.94), Arizona ($4.68), Alaska ($4.59), Idaho ($4.26), Illinois ($4.26), and Florida ($4.23).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($3.27), Kansas ($3.33), Nebraska ($3.42), North Dakota ($3.43), Iowa ($3.48), Missouri ($3.48), South Dakota ($3.52), Arkansas ($3.52), Minnesota ($3.54), and Georgia ($3.70).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (53 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), California (46 cents), South Carolina (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Nevada (43 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (29 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Utah (33 cents), Nebraska (33 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (33 cents), Vermont (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Delaware (36 cents), and New Mexico (37 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, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, Utah, and Wyoming. Named one of Forbes’ Most Trusted Companies in America, 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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