California gas prices reach highest average in 4 years. Here’s what drivers will pay
Stopping at a gas station in California. Be prepared to pay a high price at the pump.
Gas prices across the country — including in California — have climbed to their highest averages in four years, according to AAA.
“The national average for a gallon of regular exceeded $4 (a) gallon this week for the first time since August 2022,” the automobile association said in an April 2 news release.
In California, gas prices are even higher.
As of Tuesday, April 7, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas was about $5.93, AAA said, making it the most expensive state to fill up in the country.
Here’s where to find the cheapest — and most expensive — gas in California:
What are current gas prices in my California city?
As of Tuesday, a gallon of regular gas in California cost $1.79 more than the national average of $4.14, according to AAA.
Gas prices in the Golden State increased by four cents compared to a week ago. Prices are about 85 cents higher compared to a month ago, when gas prices cost $5.08 per gallon, AAA said.
Around this time in 2025, the statewide average was about $4.96 per gallon.
California recorded its highest gas prices in June 2022, when a gallon of regular gasoline retailed for $6.44 on average. Diesel peaked at $7.01 per gallon that same month.
As of Tuesday, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $5.89 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.78
- El Centro: $5.66
- Fresno: $5.83
- Hanford-Corcoran: $5.67
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $6.05
- Madera-Chowchila: $5.92
- Merced: $5.81
- Modesto: $5.71
- Napa: $6.07
- Oakland: $5.97
- Orange County: $5.98
- Redding: $5.70
- Riverside: $5.88
- Sacramento: $5.81
- Salinas: $6.01
- San Bernardino: $5.91
- San Diego: $5.96
- San Francisco: $6.09
- San Jose: $5.92
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $6.04
- San Rafael: $6.11
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $5.82
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $5.87
- Santa Rosa: $6.11
- Stockton-Lodi: $5.75
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $5.87
- Ventura: $5.97
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $5.81
- Yolo: $5.69
- Yuba City: $5.53
Where are gas prices the highest in California?
According to AAA, these five counties had the most expensive gas prices in California as of Tuesday:
- Mono County — $6.72 per gallon
- Humboldt County — $6.43
- Nevada County — $6.11
- Marin County — $6.11
- Sonoma County — $6.11
Which California counties have lowest gas prices?
Drivers can still find gas prices in California cheaper than the statewide average.
According to AAA, these five counties had the cheapest gas prices as of Tuesday, with average costs ranging from $5.54 to $5.67 a gallon:
- Yuba County — $5.54 per gallon
- Sutter County — $5.55
- Tehama County — $5.59
- Imperial County — $5.66
- Kings County — $5.67
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.
Why are gas prices rising in California?
Gas prices in California have been steadily rising over the past month or so, driven in part by the war in Iran.
“Crude oil prices have been surging, surpassing $100 (a) barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed,” AAA said in a news release.
Even though the United States does not import oil directly from Iran, the conflict can still disrupt global supply, AAA spokesperson Doug Johnson previously told The Sacramento Bee.
As of Tuesday, crude oil prices were hovering around $110 per barrel, according to Business Insider.
While much of the recent spike in gas prices is tied to tensions in the Middle East, Johnson said, other seasonal factors — including California’s switch to more expensive summer-blend gasoline and refinery shutdowns — are also affecting costs.
