A person walks by a sign displaying gasoline prices at a Chevron station in Cathedral City, Calif., on October 6, 2022. California Gas Prices Coachella Valley3415
California- Californians are once again feeling the pinch at the pump, as gas prices across the state see a sudden uptick.
According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in California reached $4.81 on Monday. This marks a 16-cent increase from the previous week, although the price has remained relatively steady over the past month and is still 28 cents lower than it was on March 31 last year.
However, the price increase is not uniform across the state. Mono County, home to the popular Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, currently boasts the highest prices, with drivers paying an average of $5.80 per gallon. In contrast, Imperial County is offering the lowest gas prices in California at $4.50 per gallon. Coastal Southern California counties—such as Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara—are seeing gas prices hover around $4.80 per gallon.
California continues to have the highest gas prices in the nation, with the national average for regular unleaded gas standing at $3.17 on Monday. In contrast, drivers in Mississippi are paying only $2.68 per gallon, the lowest in the country.
AAA points out that gas prices typically start to rise around this time of year, peaking during the summer months. Despite this seasonal trend, the national average remains about 40 cents lower than it was last year, driven by tepid gasoline demand and weaker crude oil prices.
However, California’s high prices are partly driven by unique local factors. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, explains that a single refinery going offline for maintenance in the state can have a significant impact on prices. With several refineries undergoing maintenance, DeHaan warns that prices could continue to climb over the coming weeks.
“We likely will continue to see prices go up another 10 to 25 cents a gallon over the next week or so as supply continues to tighten because of refinery outages and maintenance,” DeHaan told KNX News Radio.
As Californians brace for further price hikes, the rising costs at the pump could put additional pressure on household budgets, particularly as many are already feeling the effects of inflation in other areas of life. With summer driving season on the horizon, many drivers are likely to face even higher gas prices in the months ahead, making it crucial for motorists to stay informed about upcoming price trends and prepare for potential financial strain.
