WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – After ticking down for nearly two weeks, gas prices saw a spike in California, jumping 17-cents since last week to $6.01 for a gallon of gasoline. Drivers in the Golden State are now paying $1.24 more than this time last year.
Across the United States, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has spiked 27-cents in one week. It is now $1.12 higher than it was this time last year.
“Oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel with no indication of when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen,” said AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Doug Johnson. “Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years.”
Fuel Prices Around the State:
San Francisco: $6.19
Oakland: $6.05
San Jose: $6.00
Sacramento: $5.93
Fresno: $5.92
Stockton: $5.83
Contra Costa County
- May 1, 2026 – $6.14
- April 24. 2026 – $5.95
- April 17, 2026 – $5.94
- April 9, 2026 – $5.99
- 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. | $6.060 | $6.279 | $6.473 | $7.501 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $6.010 | $6.239 | $6.428 | $7.483 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $5.884 | $6.120 | $6.302 | $7.484 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $5.892 | $6.131 | $6.316 | $7.522 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $4.778 | $4.992 | $5.169 | $4.980 |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 9.05 million b/d to 9.10 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 228.4 million barrels to 222.3 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day.
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $6.95 to settle at $106.88 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories decreased by 6.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 459.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 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 went up by one cent this past week to 41 cents. In California it’s 46 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($6.01), Hawaii ($5.64), Washington ($5.57), Oregon ($5.15), Nevada ($5.12), Alaska ($4.92), Arizona ($4.67), Illinois ($4.66), Michigan ($4.58), and Ohio ($4.46).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($3.70), Kansas ($3.75), Georgia ($3.75), Mississippi ($3.77), Arkansas ($3.79), Louisiana ($3.80), Missouri ($3.83), North Dakota ($3.84), Texas ($3.85), and Alabama ($3.86).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (53 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (50 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), California (46 cents), South Carolina (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (44 cents), and Illinois (44 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (29 cents), Missouri (31 cents), Utah (32 cents), Maryland (33 cents), Nebraska (33 cents), Iowa (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Vermont (35 cents), New Mexico (36 cents), and Delaware (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 one of the most trusted membership organizations, 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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