Gas prices are dropping, AAA says. What you can expect to pay at the pump in CA
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- AAA reports national gas prices at $3.13, lowest August rate since 2020.
- California maintains highest average gas price at $4.49 per gallon statewide.
- Future prices depend on crude cost stability and absence of major disruptions.
Driving in California isn’t cheap — especially when it comes to filling up the tank.
However, there is some relief for drivers.
According to AAA, gas prices have dropped to their lowest level in five years, as of Thursday, Aug. 21.
“As gas prices keep falling this summer, the big question is how low will they go?” the agency said in a Thursday news release.
While California drivers routinely pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, here’s how much further costs could dip — and what you might expect to pay at the pump:
How has the cost of gas changed in five years?
As of Thursday, Aug. 21, the national average for a gallon of regular fell to $3.13.
“You’d have to go back to 2020 for a lower national average on August 21 – that day the price was $2.18,” AAA said.
With gas prices now at their lowest in five years, AAA said, many are wondering if the national average could drop under $3 a gallon soon.
Will gas prices keep dropping?
According to AAA, it’s hard to know if gas prices will keep dropping since they can change quickly and are affected by many different factors.
“If crude oil prices remain low and barring any major geopolitical events or tropical storms hitting the Gulf Coast, it’s safe to say drivers could continue to see cheaper prices at the pump as summer winds down,” AAA said.
The Atlantic hurricane season is underway and lasts through Nov. 30. Hurricane Erin was impacting the East coast region of the U.S. on Aug. 21, according to the National Hurricane Center.
What is the cost of gas in California?
California has the most expensive gasoline market in the country, according to AAA.
As of Thursday, Aug. 21, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was about $4.49.
While that is two cents less than July’s average, it is still a dollar more than the national average of $3.13.
Around this same time in 2024, the statewide average was approximately $4.60.
Which US states have the most — and least — expensive gas prices?
AAA said these are the nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets:
1. California — $4.49 per gallon of regular gas
2. Hawaii — $4.46
3. Washington — $4.39
4. Oregon — $3.97
5. Alaska — $3.76
6. Nevada — $3.73
7. Idaho — $3.50
8. Illinois — $3.39
9. Utah — $3.32
10. Arizona — $3.30
These are the nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets, according to AAA:
1. Mississippi — $2.68 per gallon of regular gas
2. Oklahoma — $2.70
3. Louisiana — $2.72
4. Texas — $2.74
5. Alabama — $2.75
6. Tennessee — $2.77
7. Arkansas — $2.80
8. South Carolina — $2.81
9. Kansas — $2.83
10. Missouri — $2.83
Where to find cheapest gas near me?
According to AAA, the most affordable fuel could primarily be found in parts of Northern and Southern California, with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dipping as low as $4.31 in Modesto, $4.23 in El Centro and $4.25 Yuba City.
As of Thursday, Aug. 21, these were the average prices per gallon for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $4.45 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $4.42
- El Centro: $4.23
- Fresno: $4.57
- Hanford-Corcoran: $4.37
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $4.49
- Madera-Chowchila: $4.54
- Merced: $4.42
- Modesto: $4.31
- Napa: $4.76
- Oakland: $4.57
- Orange County: $4.46
- Redding: $4.37
- Riverside: $4.33
- Sacramento: $4.48
- Salinas: $4.73
- San Bernardino: $4.38
- San Diego: $4.56
- San Francisco: $4.66
- San Jose: $4.49
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $4.85
- San Rafael: $4.66
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $4.43
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $4.61
- Santa Rosa: $4.74
- Stockton-Lodi: $4.38
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $4.49
- Ventura: $4.52
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $4.46
- Yolo: $4.43
- Yuba City: $4.25
Where can I find cheapest gas prices in my area?
GasBuddy is a price-tracking website designed to help motorists find the cheapest gas prices in their areas.
You can search for the most affordable gas stations in your area on the GasBuddy website.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Gas prices are dropping, AAA says. What you can expect to pay at the pump in CA."
