California gas prices could rise again. Here’s the latest trend ahead of potential spike

California gas prices may be inching up, but they aren’t hitting records.

Prices at the pump could possibly go up to $5 a gallon this spring and summer, experts told The Bee. They will start increasing in the next weeks but whether they’ll hit $5 is 50-50.

Reaching the record-high is unlikely.

Last June, prices for regular fuel in California were at their highest at about $6.44. Prices continued to linger in the $5 to $6 range until late November 2022, records from the U.S. Department of Energy show.

Here’s how gas prices has changed since the June high, according to AAA:

Currently, in California, the average price tag for a gallon of regular fuel is $4.88, according to the American Automobile Association. Last week, it was $4.83, and its gone down from last month, which was at $4.92.

During this time last year, the average was $5.76.

Here’s how gas prices in California have been trending so far this year, with data from AAA:

Here’s how gas prices compare across the country:

For some counties in the state, prices are already at $5 or more. This includes San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, San Francisco and Napa.

Yuba City, Chico-Paradise and Modesto are seeing the cheapest prices as of April 10, with average prices under $4.64. Sacramento’s average regular fuel price is $4.79.

See prices by county in the interactive map below, with data from AAA:

This story was originally published April 10, 2023 at 9:16 AM with the headline "California gas prices could rise again. Here’s the latest trend ahead of potential spike."