California gas prices ‘to rise further,’ GasBuddy says. What drivers will pay
Gas prices in California keep climbing — and climbing.
The nationwide average price of gas has increased across 39 states, including California, according to price-tracking website GasBuddy.
After nearly two weeks of falling prices, AAA said, the national average jumped 27 cents in just one week.
“Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in four years, since late July 2022,” the automobile association said in a Thursday, April 30, news release.
Oil prices are expected climb again as markets react to renewed geopolitical tensions and the cancellation of talks between the United States and Iran, according to GasBuddy.
“As a result, gasoline prices are set to rise further this week, with diesel expected to follow,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement from a Monday, April 27, news release.
As of Thursday, April 30, here’s what California drivers can expect to pay at the pump:
What are current California gas prices?
California drivers are paying the highest gas prices in the nation, according to GasBuddy.
The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was about $6.01 on Thursday, April 30.
According to AAA, that’s about $1.71 higher than the national average of $4.30.
Gas prices across the Golden State have increased more than 15 cents from a week ago.
Drivers were paying about $4.78 per gallon around this time in 2025.
How much does gas cost in my California city?
As of Thursday, April 30, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $5.92 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.78
- El Centro: $5.68
- Fresno: $5.93
- Hanford-Corcoran: $5.84
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $6.10
- Madera-Chowchila: $6
- Merced: $5.89
- Modesto: $5.79
- Napa: $6.24
- Oakland: $6.06
- Orange County: $6.07
- Redding: $5.77
- Riverside: $5.94
- Sacramento: $5.94
- Salinas: $5.16
- San Bernardino: $5.97
- San Diego: $6.06
- San Francisco: $6.20
- San Jose: $6
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $6.18
- San Rafael: $6.27
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $6.92
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $6.04
- Santa Rosa: $6.20
- Stockton-Lodi: $5.83
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $5.95
- Ventura: $6.02
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $5.88
- Yolo: $5.83
- Yuba City: $5.64
Which California counties have lowest gas prices?
AAA said these 10 counties had the cheapest gas prices as of Thursday:
- Yuba County — $5.63 per gallon of regular gas
- Tehama County — $5.66
- Imperial County — $5.69
- Sutter County — $5.70
- Tuolumne County — $5.73
- Shasta County — $5.77
- Butte County — $5.78
- Stanislaus County — $5.79
- Modoc County — $5.80
- San Joaquin County — $5.83
Where are the highest gas prices in California?
As of Thursday, these five counties had the most expensive gas prices in California, AAA said:
- Mono County — $6.95 per gallon of regular gas
- Humboldt County — $6.44
- Marin County — $6.27
- Napa County — $6.23
- Inyo County — $6.21
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 so expensive?
Several factors are pushing gas prices higher in California.
Along with the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline and refinery shutdowns, a big driver is rising oil prices tied to the war in Iran.
“Oil prices have moved up in recent days, as flow through the Strait (of Hormuz) stays restricted,” UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo told GasBuddy. “As a result of Asian refineries looking for alternative barrels, U.S. crude exports likely hit a new record high last week.”
As of Thursday, crude oil prices were hovering around $114 per barrel, according to Business Insider.
“Looking ahead, volatility is likely to remain elevated,” GasBuddy said. “With negotiations stalled and restrictions still in place, markets will continue to react quickly to any signs of escalation or renewed diplomatic efforts.”
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 1:03 PM.
