Want to save at the pump? Where to find cheapest Stanislaus County gas stations
California gas prices are always fluctuating, but relief may be on the way for drivers in Stanislaus County.
As California shifts into fall, gas demand is dropping, and pump prices are expected to ease soon, AAA said in a recent news release.
“There remains an abundance of crude oil supply, which is outweighing demand,” the automobile association said in the Sept. 11 release.
California drivers still pay some of the highest prices in the country, but the upcoming switch to winter-blend gasoline — which is cheaper to make — could help bring costs down, according to AAA.
Here’s a look at what you might expect to pay around Stanislaus County:
What are current gas prices in California?
After six weeks in the top spot, Washington has now passed California for the highest gas prices in the nation, AAA said.
Six of the seven West Coast states — including California — are seeing week-to-week increases, with California’s average rising by three cents.
As of Friday, Sept. 19, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.66 a gallon.
That’s 17 cents more than August’s average and more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.20.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.78 a gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Stanislaus County?
Stanislaus County ranks among the nine least expensive counties in California for gas, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Modesto area was about $4.40, as of Friday, Sept. 19.
Though that is seven cents more than August’s average of $4.33, Stanislaus County had the cheapest gas prices across the Central Valley.
Around this time in 2024, drivers were paying approximately $4.83 for a gallon of regular gas on average in the Modesto area.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Stanislaus County
As of Friday, Sept. 19, some Modesto area stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.40, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy.
These were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in Stanislaus County based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:
1. Sinclair, 1149 West F St., Oakdale — $3.89 per gallon
2. Sinclair, 2805 Earl St., Modesto — $3.93
3. Quik Stop, 630 East F St., Oakdale — $3.95
4. Star Gas, 708 West F St., Oakdale — $3.97
5. Costco, 1907 Claribel Road, Riverbank — $3.99
6. ARCO, 2219 Lander Ave., Turlock — $3.99
7. Diamond Gas & Mart, 1200 Sixth St., Modesto — $3.99
8. Great Gas, 801 Seventh St., Modesto — $3.99
9. Marathon, 613 East F St., Oakdale — $3.99
10. Stop and Save, 1701 Standiford Ave., Modesto — $3.99
Why do gas prices drop in the fall?
Gas prices usually drop in the fall, because refineries switch from more expensive summer-blend fuel to cheaper winter-blend fuel, AAA said.
The official change starts in September, and many states can begin selling winter-blend fuel, as of Monday, Sept. 15.
When will California make the switch to cheaper fuel?
In California, summer-blend fuel is required until Oct. 31.
“Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring,” AAA said.
How low could US gas prices drop this fall?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gas prices are expected to drop about 11% — or roughly 35 cents a gallon — between August and December.
“The forecast decline is driven by our expectation that crude oil prices will fall, caused by continued oil supply growth,” the federal agency said.
“In addition, the annual transition to winter-grade gasoline allows refiners to use less expensive components to produce gasoline, further contributing to lower gasoline prices.”
