As US average gas cost rises, will California catch a break? Check your county on our map

The current average price for regular gasoline in California is $4.64, which is about 2 cents less than last month but roughly $1.30 more than a year ago. Meanwhile, national gas prices are rising with hope that the omicron variant of the coronavirus will ebb and economies will kick back into gear.

This pattern follows in several California areas: Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, Chico, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Stockton, Ventura and Visalia.

As of Wednesday, the average price for a gallon a regular gasoline in Sacramento was $4.62, which is roughly 4 cents less than a month ago but about $1.29 more than a year ago.

Modesto’s current average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.44, about 8 cents lower than a month ago. Fresno’s average price is $4.52, roughly 4 cents lower than a month ago.

The data used in this interactive map, collected from AAA, was updated Wednesday. Here are the regular gas prices in California by county, which differ from the metro areas listed below. See where you land:

BAKERSFIELD

Current gas price average: $4.58

Last month’s average: $4.62

CHICO - PARADISE

Current gas price average: $4.44

Last month’s average: $4.51

SANTA CRUZ - WATSONVILLE

Current gas price average: $4.68

Last month’s average: $4.71

STOCKTON - LODI

Current gas price average: $4.53

Last month’s average: $4.59

VISALIA - PORTERVILLE

Current gas price average: $4.55

Last month’s average: $4.62

National prices

But while Californian motorists are catching a break, the national average price is increasing, according to a new gas report.

The national average for a gallon of gas, as of Wednesday, rose a cent to $3.31 — 1 cent more than a month ago and 93 cents higher than last year.

The rise in pump prices, which was primary driven by the climb in oil prices, was caused by the idea that the COVID-19 omicron variant surge may soon plateau, according to the report.

But the potential increase in oil demand, couple with lagging crude production, will only increase gas prices because oil prices accounts for roughly 50% of what consumers pay at the pump.