Crude oil prices soar across the US. What California drivers can expect to pay
Gas prices in California and across the country have increased in recent days, and experts say they could keep rising as tensions with Iran escalate, according to the American Automobile Association.
“The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices higher,” AAA said in a March 5 news release.
Crude oil is the main ingredient used to make gasoline and diesel, so when oil prices rise, drivers usually feel it at the pump.
Roughly half of what you pay at the pump comes from the cost of crude oil. The rest covers refining, transportation, marketing and taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Crude oil briefly surged to about $119.50 per barrel on Monday, March 9, according to the Associated Press. Business Insider reports that prices have dropped to just under $90, as of Tuesday morning.
However, the conflict in the Middle East isn’t the only reason gas prices are climbing in California.
Here what’s driving the spike — and what that means for people commuting in California:
What is causing gas prices to rise in California?
Doug Johnson, a spokesperson for AAA, said Monday’s spike in gas prices is partly tied to the conflict in the Middle East — but that’s not the only factor.
“It’s complicated,” Johnson said. “It’s not just all the Middle East.”
Even though the United States does not import oil from Iran, Johnson said, the conflict can still affect global supply. Countries that rely on Iranian oil, such as China, might need to buy oil from other suppliers.
“So when they’re not getting their oil from Iran, they’re going to have to go to the same sources that we do in the Persian Gulf,” Johnson said. “That impacts supply.”
While “a large majority” of the jump has been a result of the conflict in the Middle East, Johnson said, other factors are also pushing prices higher in California.
California refineries are starting the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline. It is more expensive to produce and typically leads to higher prices at the pump.
California is the first state in the nation to make the transition, according to AAA.
Many states are required to switch to the summer fuel by May 1, and most gas stations nationwide must sell it by June 1. In parts of California, the transition began in February.
“On April 1, the state mandates that all gas stations have to start selling summer-blend,” Johnson said. “That will be in effect until Halloween.”
Refinery changes are also tightening supply.
“Phillips 66 shut down late in 2025,” Johnson said. “The Valero Benicia Refinery is also set to close.”
With fewer refineries operating, Johnson said prices are rising “all over the map.”
How much have California gas prices increased?
Johnson said the conflict in the Middle East, seasonal fuel changes and refinery closures have all contributed to rising gas prices in California.
As of Tuesday, March 10, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was about $5.29, according to AAA.
Just a week earlier, the average price was $4.67 per gallon.
“That is a 62-cent difference,” Johnson said.
Around this time in 2025, California drivers were paying about $4.71 a gallon.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration had previously predicted that gas prices in 2026 would be about 6% lower than in 2025, but Johnson said recent global events have changed that outlook.
However, he said, prices could still fall later in the year if tensions involving Iran ease.
“We can’t predict what’s going to happen,” Johnson said.
How much does gas cost in my California city?
As of Tuesday, these were the average prices per gallon for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $5.16 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.09
- El Centro: $5.05
- Fresno: $5.25
- Hanford-Corcoran: $5.14
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $5.34
- Madera-Chowchila: $5.23
- Merced: $5.17
- Modesto: $5.15
- Napa: $5.54
- Oakland: $5.38
- Orange County: $5.32
- Redding: $5.03
- Riverside: $5.22
- Sacramento: $5.26
- Salinas: $5.41
- San Bernardino: $5.24
- San Diego: $5.32
- San Francisco: $5.54
- San Jose: $5.35
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $5.44
- San Rafael: $5.53
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $5.19
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $5.26
- Santa Rosa: $5.47
- Stockton-Lodi: $5.18
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $5.31
- Ventura: $5.28
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $5.26
- Yolo: $5.18
- Yuba City: $4.96
Find cheapest gas stations in my area
GasBuddy is a price-tracking website designed to help motorists find the cheapest gas prices in their areas.
You can search for the most affordable gas stations in your area on the GasBuddy website.
How can I save on gas?
According to AAA, here are some fuel saving tips:
- Driving the speed limit can help improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.
- Check your tire pressure regularly, since underinflated tires create more friction on the road and cause your car to use more gas.
- Limit your use of air conditioning and open the windows when possible.
- Remove unnecessary items from your car.
- Use cruise control when possible to keep a constant speed.
