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California gas price climbed 16 cents in the past week, inching closer to the state’s all-time record.
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While the national average cost of regular gasoline has risen sharply over the past week, California prices have surpassed $6 per gallon, according to AAA.
Despite the seasonal switch to cheaper winter-blend gasoline, ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns about global oil supplies are pushing prices higher instead of allowing the usual fall decline.
“Gas prices are back to what they were earlier this year during the spring, and the national average is inching closer to this year’s record high of $4.56 set on May 21,” AAA said in a Thursday, Sept. 17, news release.
If you’re stopping to fill the tank, here’s what you can expect to pay at the pump in California:
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How much have California gas prices risen?
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.48 on Monday, Sept. 21, up about 16 cents from the previous week, according to AAA.
In June 2022, AAA said, the national average hit an “all-time high” of $5.01 per gallon.
The national average is “more than one dollar higher than it was a year ago.”
In California, gas prices have climbed even higher, with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reaching $6.17 on Monday, Sept. 21.
That is roughly $1.69 more than the national average.
In the past week, California gas prices have risen about 16 cents per gallon over the past week, according to AAA.
How close is California to breaking fuel price records?
In May, the average cost of regular gasoline hit its highest point in 2026 — $6.16 per gallon.
Despite recent increases, gas prices in September remain below California’s all-time record. In June 2022, the state average reached about $6.44 per gallon.
Diesel prices, however, have recently reached new records.
“Diesel rose in every state, with five states seeing increases exceeding 50 cents per gallon,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Monday, Sept. 21, news release.
De Haan said “continued strikes on Russian oil refineries” are tightening the global diesel supply, a pressure “further amplified in the Great Lakes by regional refinery issues.”
The average price for diesel in California hit $8.42 per gallon on Sunday, Sept. 20, after hitting a previous record of $8.15 on Sept. 14.
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What are current gas prices in my area?
As of Monday, Sept. 21, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $6.13 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.92
- El Centro: $5.93
- Fresno: $6.18
- Hanford-Corcoran: $6.11
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $6.22
- Madera-Chowchila: $6.17
- Merced: $6.06
- Modesto: $5.97
- Napa: $6.32
- Oakland: $6.22
- Orange County: $6.19
- Redding: $5.93
- Riverside: $6.11
- Sacramento: $6.08
- Salinas: $6.30
- San Bernardino: $6.10
- San Diego: $6.22
- San Francisco: $6.33
- San Jose: $6.16
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $6.37
- San Rafael: $6.34
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $6.19
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $6.12
- Santa Rosa: $6.36
- Stockton-Lodi: $6.04
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $6.11
- Ventura: $6.13
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $6.15
- Yolo: $6.08
- Yuba City: $5.87
Where are the lowest fuel prices in California?
As of Monday, the most expensive gas prices in California can be found in Mono County, with the average price for a gallon of gasoline at $7.11.
However, there are some counties with gas prices lower than the statewide average of $6.17.
According to AAA, these 10 counties have the cheapest gas prices in California:
- Sutter County — $5.87 per gallon
- Tehama County — $5.90
- Yuba County — $5.91
- Butte County — $5.93
- Shasta County — $5.93
- Lassen County — $5.94
- Stanislaus County — $5.97
- Tuolumne County — $6
- Imperial County — $5.93
- Sacramento — $6.03
Why are California gas prices on the rise again?
California gas prices are climbing again at a time of year when prices typically begin to fall.
According to AAA, gas prices are rising “during a season when gas prices typically go down due to lower gasoline demand.”
Several factors are working against that seasonal trend, including geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supplies of crude oil and refined fuel.
Continued strikes on Russian oil refineries are tightening global diesel supplies, while refinery problems in the Great Lakes region are adding further pressure, according to GasBuddy.
Concerns about instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, are also putting upward pressure on crude oil prices, AAA said.
The latest data from Business Insider showed crude oil prices nearing $100 per barrel, as of Monday, Sept. 21.
“Any broader directional change will depend heavily on overseas developments, and with new Houthi attacks and fresh U.S.-Iran escalations, the outlook remains deeply uncertain,” De Haan said.
How can I find the cheapest gas stations near me?
If you’re looking to save money at the pump, comparing prices before filling up can help.
GasBuddy allows drivers to search for gas stations and compare fuel prices in their area.
You can use the GasBuddy website to find stations with the lowest reported prices near you before heading to the pump.
Have a question about life in California?
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We’ll answer your questions — big and small — about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel.
Ask your questions in the form below (can’t see it? Click here) or email [email protected].
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This story was originally published September 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM.