CA gas prices rise more than $1 per gallon in a month. What drivers will pay
Gas prices are surging nationwide following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran — especially in California.
“Consumers continue to feel the sting of rising oil, gasoline and diesel costs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Monday, March 16, news release.
That’s pushing gasoline prices to “their highest levels in years,” De Haan said, adding that “diesel could soon approach the $5-per-gallon mark nationally.”
Crude oil once again surged to about $119 per barrel on Monday, according to the Associated Press. Business Insider reports that prices have eased to around $110, as of Thursday morning.
According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas has jumped more than 90 cents in the past month, rising from $2.93 to $3.88 — and experts say prices may keep climbing.
“Until we see a meaningful resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist,” De Haan said in the release. “At the same time, seasonal forces are beginning to intensify as several regions complete the transition to summer gasoline, creating a double headwind that could continue driving pump prices higher in the weeks ahead.”
What are current gas prices in California?
Here’s what to know:
How much have California gas prices increased?
As of Thursday, March 19, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was $5.62, according to AAA.
That is about $2 higher than the national average.
Just a month earlier, California drivers were paying $4.59 per gallon, marking an increase of more than $1.
Around this time in 2025, drivers were paying about $4.65 a gallon.
How much does gas cost in my California city?
As of Thursday, these were the average prices per gallon for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $5.51 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $5.43
- El Centro: $5.40
- Fresno: $5.52
- Hanford-Corcoran: $5.42
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $5.72
- Madera-Chowchila: $5.60
- Merced: $5.48
- Modesto: $5.43
- Napa: $5.74
- Oakland: $5.65
- Orange County: $5.69
- Redding: $5.34
- Riverside: $5.59
- Sacramento: $5.53
- Salinas: $5.70
- San Bernardino: $5.59
- San Diego: $5.69
- San Francisco: $5.78
- San Jose: $5.63
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $5.73
- San Rafael: $5.78
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $5.51
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $5.53
- Santa Rosa: $5.76
- Stockton-Lodi: $5.45
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $5.57
- Ventura: $5.65
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $5.53
- Yolo: $5.48
- Yuba City: $5.26
Find cheapest gas stations 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.
How can I save on gas?
According to AAA, here are some tips to save on money and fuel:
- Driving the speed limit can help improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.
- Check your tire pressure regularly, since underinflated tires create more friction on the road and cause your car to use more gas.
- Limit your use of air conditioning and open the windows when possible.
- Remove unnecessary items from your car.
- Use cruise control when possible to keep a constant speed.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM with the headline "CA gas prices rise more than $1 per gallon in a month. What drivers will pay."
