Walnut Creek — While the national average for a gallon of gasoline held steady this week at $4.09, Californians continue to face rising prices. The state average rose 7 cents from last week to $5.64. Nationwide, gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than they were this time last year driven largely by crude oil prices hovering around $80 per barrel amid lingering instability along the Strait of Hormuz.
“August brings some relief at the pump as road trips wind down and fall routines get underway for many families,” said Aldo Vazquez, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “However, elevated crude oil prices could prevent that seasonal shift from starting just yet.”
Fuel Prices Around California:
- San Francisco: $5.83
- Oakland: $5.65
- San Jose: $5.63
- Sacramento: $5.59
- Fresno: $5.56
- Stockton: $5.47
- Modesto: $5.47
Contra Costa County
- July 24, 2026 – $5.58
- July 17, 2026 – $5.44
- July 10, 2026 – $5.44
- July 3, 2026 – $5.45
- June 25, 2026 – $5.57
- June 18, 2026 – $5.71
- June 5, 2026 – $6.05
- May 29, 2026 – $6.17
- May 8, 2026 – $6.22
- April 24. 2026 – $5.95
- April 9, 2026 – $5.99
- 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 13, 2026 – $4.70
- Jan 30, 2026 – $4.39
- Jan 9, 2026 – $4.23
- Dec. 19, 2025 – $4.31
California average gas prices
| Regular | Mid-Grade | Premium | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $5.6510 | $5.8820 | $6.0750 | $6.9100 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $5.6480 | $5.8800 | $6.0720 | $6.8960 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $5.5950 | $5.8210 | $6.0120 | $6.8080 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $5.4330 | $5.6630 | $5.8510 | $6.5610 |
| Year Ago Avg. | $4.4820 | $4.7110 | $4.8910 | $5.1790 |
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.94 million to 9.04 million. Total domestic gasoline supply remained flat at 211.3 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 $5.20 to settle at $84.46 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 7.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 404.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% 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 42 cents. In California, the average per kilowatt hour of electricity is 47 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.64), Hawaii ($5.46), Washington ($5.11), Nevada ($4.81), Alaska ($4.73), Oregon ($4.64), Arizona ($4.42), Illinois ($4.34), Idaho ($4.30), and Montana ($4.28).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Indiana ($3.56), Texas ($3.64), Mississippi ($3.66), Louisiana ($3.68), Tennessee ($3.70), South Carolina ($3.71), Kentucky ($3.72), Oklahoma ($3.75), Alabama ($3.76), and North Carolina ($3.76).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (49 cents), California (47 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Louisiana (46 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Illinois (45 cents), Arkansas (45 cents), and North Dakota (44 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (30 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Utah (34 cents), Maryland (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Nebraska (35 cents), Vermont (36 cents), New Mexico (37 cents), and Minnesota (38 cents).
About AAA Mountain West Group
For over a century, AAA Mountain West Group (MWG) has served as a mission-driven, member-centric organization. Guided by its mission of People Helping People and powered by 5,400 dedicated team members, MWG delivers exceptional roadside assistance, auto repair, travel planning, financial and insurance services, home security, and exclusive member discounts. With a vision focused on creating Members for Life, MWG guides Members through every stage of their journey, serving more than 6.8 million people throughout Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. To learn more about AAA MWG, visit mwg.aaa.com.
Previous
- June 24, 2026 – California Gas Prices Continue Upward Trajectory, Contra Costa Up 14 Cents
- June 17, 2026 – AAA: California Gas Prices Move Higher
- June 10, 2026 – California Gas Prices Reverse Course and Start Rising Again
- July 3, 2026 – California Drivers Get Gas Price Relief Entering July 4th Weekend
- June 26, 2026 – California Gas Prices Continue to Fall Following National Trend
- June 19, 2026 – Pump Prices Fall Across California for a Month Straight
- June 6, 2026 – California Gas Average Drops 10 Cents, Now Under Six Dollars
- May 29, 2026 – Gas Prices are Falling, but Will They Keep Going Down?
- May 15, 2026 – AAA: Little Relief for Drivers as National Average Dips then Rises Again
- May 8, 2026 – AAA: California Gas Prices Rose 15 Cents Since Last Week
- April 24, 2026 – AAA: Bit of Relief at the Pump as National Average Goes Down
- April 17, 2026 – AAA: Drivers See Small Break as Gas Prices Tick Lower
- April 10: California Pump Prices Climbing as Crude Oil Remains High
- April 3, 2026 – For the First Time in Four Years, National Average Exceeds $4/Gallon
- March 27, 2026 – California Gas Prices Jump One Dollar Twenty One Cents in One Month
- March 20 – California Gas Prices Continue to Climb
- March 13, 2026 – AAA: Rising Pump Prices, Higher Gas Demand as Spring Break Begins
- March 6, 2026 – AAA: Jump at the Pump as California Average Climbs 18 Cents
- Feb 27, 2026 – AAA: California Seeing Seasonal Shift Toward Rising Gas Prices
- Feb 20, 2026 – AAA: Pump Prices Holding Steady For Now
- Feb 13, 2026 – AAA: Gas Prices Tick Up Heading into Holiday Weekend