Stanislaus County gas prices hit lowest levels in years. What drivers will pay
Stanislaus County drivers are getting a some relief at the pump, according to AAA.
The automobile association reported that gas prices have dropped to their lowest national average in years, with regular gas averaging about $2.80 per gallon nationwide.
“The last time the national average for a gallon of regular gas was this low was back in March of 2021,” AAA said in a Jan. 8 news release.
While California continues to have some of the highest gas prices in the country, AAA said, prices in the Golden State are about 15 cents lower than they were around the same time in 2025.
Compared to other metropolitan areas, Modesto-area drivers pay some of the lowest gas prices in California, according to AAA.
Here’s what drivers in Stanislaus County can expect to pay at the pump:
Why did gas prices drop in Stanislaus County?
Gas prices are falling because there’s a large supply of oil available — and fewer people are filling up, according to AAA.
“Crude oil prices remain relatively unchanged from the end of 2025 and unaffected amid questions about Venezuela’s impact on the oil market,” AAA said in its Jan. 8 news release.
Nationwide, AAA said, drivers are buying less gas.
OPEC+, the group of major oil-producing countries, has said it doesn’t plan to boost production in early 2026 because demand is lower.
New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration also shows gasoline demand dropped, while the overall supply of gas increased.
“Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 234.3 million barrels to 242 million,” AAA said. “Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.0 million barrels per day.”
Oil prices have also dipped recently, with U.S. crude oil settling just below $56 a barrel.
While oil stockpiles fell a little, supplies are still close to normal for this time of year — which is helping prevent sudden jumps in prices at the pump, according to AAA.
What are current gas prices in California?
As of Thursday, Jan. 15, California had the second-highest gas prices in the nation, behind Hawaii.
Prices for a gallon of regular gas average about $4.21 statewide, according to AAA.
While gas has dropped to its lowest level in years, it’s still more than a dollar above the national average of $2.84 per gallon.
Around this time in 2025, California drivers were paying about $4.39 per gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Stanislaus County?
Stanislaus County ranks among the 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 $3.91, as of Thursday, Jan. 15.
Although that’s only about 30 cents less than the statewide average of $4.21, Stanislaus County had the cheapest gas prices across the Central Valley.
Around this time in 2025, drivers were paying approximately $4.14 for a gallon of regular gas on average in the Modesto area.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Stanislaus County
As of Thursday, Jan. 15, some Modesto-area gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $3.91 per gallon, according to price-tracking website 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. Stop and Save, 2549 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto — $3.37 per gallon
2. Kwik Serv, 1700 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto — $3.39
3. Sinclair, 2716 Coffee Road, Modesto — $3.42
4. Quik Stop, 1260 Geer Road, Turlock — $3.44
5. ARCO, 3936 Mitchell Road, Ceres — $3.47
6. Quik Stop, 1301 East Service Road, Ceres — $3.47
7. Star Gas, 708 West F St., Oakdale — $3.49
8. Marathon, 613 East F St., Oakdale — $3.49
9. ARCO, 3001 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto — $3.49
10. Kwik Serv, 750 Geer Road, Turlock — $3.49
