How much have California gas prices risen since Iran war began? What drivers pay
Since the start of the war in Iran, gas prices have climbed across the country, including California.
Although fuel costs briefly dipped nationwide, “another surge could be coming,” according to price-tracking website GasBuddy.
Temporary declines in fuel costs brought “the national average lower by roughly 8 cents over the last several days after oil prices eased mid-week on optimism that the U.S. and Iran could reach a deal,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Monday, May 11, news release.
However, that optimism has faded as negotiations appear have stalled. Oil prices have started to climb again.
“As a result, many states could see another round of price cycling in the days ahead,” De Haan said.
How much have California gas prices increased since the war in Iran began?
Here’s what drivers around the Golden State can expect to pay at the pump:
What are current gas prices in California?
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California reached about $6.16 on Monday, May 11.
That is roughly $1.65 more than the national average of $4.52.
In the past week, gas prices in California have increased about 5 cents.
“Pump prices are now $1.40 higher than they were a year ago and have reached their highest level since 2022, when the national average peaked at $5.01 per gallon,” AAA said in a Thursday, May 7, news release.
How much have gas prices risen since the Iran war began?
In January, California gas prices hit their lowest level in years, with drivers paying about $4.22 per gallon on average across the state.
Prices have steadily climbed since late February as tensions in the Middle East intensified.
On March 2, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.66 per gallon.
Since then, prices have jumped by roughly $1.50 per gallon, pushing California closer to the record highs seen during the 2022 fuel spike.
California recorded its highest average gas prices in June 2022 at $6.44 a gallon.
Meanwhile, diesel prices in California reached a record of $7.75 per gallon on average on April 9.
Is California running out of gas?
Energy experts warn that supplies could become tighter — and prices could rise even more — if the war in Iran continues.
California has enough incoming fuel shipments to help stabilize prices for about six more weeks, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
The New Corolla, an oil tanker that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before heading to California, recently unloaded its cargo in Long Beach.
After that shipment, the state no longer has a guaranteed replacement for up to 200,000 barrels of oil per day previously sourced from the Persian Gulf.
Officials said gas prices could potentially stabilize around $6.50 per gallon, or at least remain below $7, if alternative supply chains hold.
However, other experts warn prices could climb another $2 per gallon.
How much does gas cost in my California city?
As of Monday, May 11, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $6.09 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.91
- El Centro: $5.80
- Fresno: $6.08
- Hanford-Corcoran: $6.01
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $6.23
- Madera-Chowchila: $6.15
- Merced: $6.05
- Modesto: $5.99
- Napa: $6.39
- Oakland: $6.22
- Orange County: $6.19
- Redding: $5.92
- Riverside: $6.09
- Sacramento: $6.11
- Salinas: $6.27
- San Bernardino: $6.14
- San Diego: $6.19
- San Francisco: $6.35
- San Jose: $6.15
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $6.30
- San Rafael: $6.35
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $6.11
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $6.26
- Santa Rosa: $6.29
- Stockton-Lodi: $6.01
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $6.12
- Ventura: $6.13
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $6.08
- Yolo: $6.03
- Yuba City: $5.84
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.
