CALIFORNIA, USA — Gas prices in California have reached a significant milestone. Prices are more expensive now than they were this time last year by an average of eight cents per gallon of regular gas.
Prices have gone up since last week by an average of nearly six cents per gallon across the state, according to AAA. In the Sacramento area, drivers can expect to pay about seven cents more per gallon than last week as of Wednesday.
“This is the time of year we normally see pump prices start to rise,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a statement. “And while prices have been rather pokey so far, they should begin to accelerate and move higher very soon.”
Oil prices jumped recently after Ukraine drones hit Russian refineries, according to AAA.
“We’re entering Spring Break season, and historically, March and April bring higher gas prices as demand rises,” said Aixa Diaz, AAA spokesperson, in a previous statement. “With milder temperatures come more road trips, and this time of year tends to be a precursor to the summer driving season.”
Here's where to find some of the cheapest gas in your area.
The head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, said the national average has increased. He said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that in the U.S. there's been a weekly rise of about four cents per gallon to an average cost of $3.53 per gallon. On the West Coast, prices are much higher.
"The pinch at the pump has been manageable for now, with prices about 30 cents higher than mid-January, but that will likely change as we enter the madness we tend to see in March with refinery maintenance hitting its peak, impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases," De Haan said in a previous statement.
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He said he anticipates prices increasing another five to 10 cents over approximately the next week.
California is seeing an average price of $4.93 per gallon, compared to a week ago when the average was $4.87, according to AAA.
Sacramento is seeing a similar upward trend with gas reaching an average of more than $4.94 per gallon. The average price for a regular gallon of gas a week ago was around $4.86, according to AAA. A month ago the average was even lower at around $4.47.
Average Retail Gas Prices by County
Here's a list of the average retail gas prices in Northern California counties, according to AAA as of Monday, March 20, 2024.
Amador County
- $4.96 per gallon
Calaveras County
- $4.90 per gallon
Colusa County
- $4.89 per gallon
El Dorado County
- $5.02 per gallon
Nevada County
- $5.19 per gallon
Placer County
- $5.02 per gallon
Plumas County
- $4.82 per gallon
Sacramento County
- $4.89 per gallon
San Joaquin County
- $4.83 per gallon
Sierra County
- $5.14 per gallon
Solano County
- $4.91 per gallon
Stanislaus County
- $4.77 per gallon
Sutter County
- $4.79 per gallon
Tuolumne County
- $4.81 per gallon
Yolo County
- $4.91 per gallon
Yuba County
- $4.70 per gallon
Anyone who wants to save money while on the road can heed the following advice from AAA.
- Combine your errands into one trip
- Don't idle your car
- Go the speed limit
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