California has most expensive gas prices in US. See when costs will ‘rise again’
Despite a slight dip at the pump, drivers in California are still paying the highest gas prices in the country.
Across the United States, the average price of gas has dropped by about 9 cents over the past week, according to price-tracking website GasBuddy.
“Average gasoline prices declined in 48 states over the last week, while diesel prices fell in 46 states, offering a welcome break at pumps,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement from a Monday, April 20, news release.
The national average price of gasoline dipped “below the $4 per gallon mark over the weekend,” De Haan said.
However, that relief might be short-lived.
Ongoing tensions in the Middle East “and the continued back-and-forth is making any lasting resolution increasingly fragile,” De Haan said.
“As a result, gasoline prices are likely to rise again in the days ahead, with diesel expected to follow if disruptions persist, and many of the states that exhibit price cycling could see increases in the next 24 to 48 hours,” De Haan said.
Here’s what California drivers can expect to pay:
What are current gas prices in California?
California drivers are paying the most expensive gas prices in the country, with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at about $5.84 on Monday, April 20.
That’s about $1.80 higher than the national average of $4.04.
Prices have dropped about 4 cents from a week ago — but they remain significantly higher than the previous year.
Around this time in 2025, drivers were paying about $4.84 per gallon.
California recorded its highest gas prices in June 2022, when a gallon of regular gasoline retailed for $6.44 on average.
Diesel prices have also surged, hitting a record $7.75 per gallon on April 9.
How much is gas in my California city?
As of Monday, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $5.87 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.68
- El Centro: $5.56
- Fresno: $5.75
- Hanford-Corcoran: $5.60
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $5.93
- Madera-Chowchila: $5.86
- Merced: $5.78
- Modesto: $5.63
- Napa: $5.97
- Oakland: $5.89
- Orange County: $5.85
- Redding: $5.66
- Riverside: $5.76
- Sacramento: $5.74
- Salinas: $5.98
- San Bernardino: $5.82
- San Diego: $5.85
- San Francisco: $5.95
- San Jose: $5.81
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $5.97
- San Rafael: $5.97
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $5.74
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $5.85
- Santa Rosa: $5.99
- Stockton-Lodi: $5.65
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $5.78
- Ventura: $5.86
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $5.80
- Yolo: $5.68
- Yuba City: $5.49
Which California counties have lowest gas prices?
According to AAA, these 10 counties had the cheapest gas prices as of Monday:
- Modoc County — $5.48 per gallon
- Yuba County — $5.51
- Sutter County — $5.53
- Imperial County — $5.56
- Tehama County — $5.60
- Kings County — $5.61
- Stanislaus County — $5.63
- San Joaquin County — $5.65
- Shasta County — $5.66
- Tuolumne County — $5.67
Where counties have the highes gas prices in California?
According to AAA, these five counties had the most expensive gas prices in California as of Monday:
- Mono County — $6.83 per gallon
- Humboldt County — $6.31
- Inyo County — $6.12
- Sierra County — $6.05
- Trinity County — $6.03
Find cheapest gas stations in my area
GasBuddy is 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 California gas prices rising?
While recent gas price increases can mostly be tied to conflict in the Iran war, the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline and refinery shutdowns are also pushing prices higher in California.
“Oil prices will likely continue to experience sharp swings as traders weigh the risk of escalation against the potential for a diplomatic resolution,” GasBuddy said in a Monday, April 20, news release.
As of Monday, crude oil prices were hovering around $95 per barrel, according to Business Insider.
“Looking ahead, markets are likely to remain highly reactive,” GasBuddy said. “While recent declines suggest some easing of immediate fears, the underlying risks remain firmly in place, and the continued back-and-forth is reinforcing volatility.”
This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
