{"id":1545,"date":"2026-05-11T21:01:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/11\/how-much-have-california-gas-prices-risen-since-iran-war-began-what-drivers-pay\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T21:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:01:57","slug":"how-much-have-california-gas-prices-risen-since-iran-war-began-what-drivers-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/11\/how-much-have-california-gas-prices-risen-since-iran-war-began-what-drivers-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"How much have California gas prices risen since Iran war began? What drivers pay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Since the start of the war in Iran, gas prices have climbed across the country, including California.<\/p>\n

Read more This Bay Area peninsula\u2019s priciest listing seems to hover over San Francisco Bay<\/a><\/p>\n

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Although fuel costs briefly dipped nationwide, \u201canother surge could be coming,\u201d according to price-tracking website GasBuddy.<\/p>\n

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Temporary declines in fuel costs brought \u201cthe 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,\u201d Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Monday, May 11, news release.<\/p>\n

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However, that optimism has faded as negotiations appear have stalled. Oil prices have started to climb again.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs a result, many states could see another round of price cycling in the days ahead,\u201d De Haan said.<\/p>\n

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How much have California gas prices increased since the war in Iran began?<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s what drivers around the Golden State can expect to pay at the pump:<\/p>\n

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What are current gas prices in California?<\/h2>\n

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According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California reached about $6.16 on Monday, May 11.<\/p>\n

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That is roughly $1.65 more than the national average of $4.52.<\/p>\n

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In the past week, gas prices in California have increased about 5 cents.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPump 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,\u201d AAA said in a Thursday, May 7, news release.<\/p>\n

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How much have gas prices risen since the Iran war began?<\/h2>\n

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In January, California gas prices hit their lowest level in years, with drivers paying about $4.22 per gallon on average across the state.<\/p>\n

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Prices have steadily climbed since late February as tensions in the Middle East intensified.<\/p>\n

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On March 2, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.66 per gallon.<\/p>\n

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Since then, prices have jumped by roughly $1.50 per gallon, pushing California closer to the record highs seen during the 2022 fuel spike.<\/p>\n

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California recorded its highest average gas prices in June 2022 at $6.44 a gallon.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, diesel prices in California reached a record of $7.75 per gallon on average on April 9.<\/p>\n

Read more Democratic strategist launches effort to repeal California\u2019s two-top primary<\/a><\/p>\n

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Is California running out of gas?<\/h2>\n

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Energy experts warn that supplies could become tighter \u2014 and prices could rise even more \u2014 if the war in Iran continues.<\/p>\n

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California has enough incoming fuel shipments to help stabilize prices for about six more weeks, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.<\/p>\n

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The New Corolla, an oil tanker that traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before heading to California, recently unloaded its cargo in Long Beach.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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Officials said gas prices could potentially stabilize around $6.50 per gallon, or at least remain below $7, if alternative supply chains hold.<\/p>\n

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However, other experts warn prices could climb another $2 per gallon.<\/p>\n

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How much does gas cost in my California city?<\/h2>\n

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As of Monday, May 11, these were the average per-gallon prices for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:<\/p>\n

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