California gas prices near a record at $6.40: ways to spend less
California's average for regular hit $6.40 a gallon this week, 3 cents below the 2022 record. Here is what is driving it and how to save on fill-ups.
If filling up felt more painful this week, the numbers agree. AAA reported California's average price for a gallon of regular at $6.40 on Friday, up 17 cents from the week before and just 3 cents below the all-time state record of $6.43 from June 2022.
The jump is local. The national average was $4.41 and slipping, down nearly 7 cents. California is $1.76 higher than a year ago and 70 cents higher than at the start of September. AAA's Doug Johnson said crude oil has dipped back into the $90-per-barrel range, yet prices are still the highest ever recorded for this time of year.
Prices vary a lot by place. San Francisco averaged $6.59, Contra Costa County $6.42 and Modesto $6.21, the lowest among the areas in AAA's report. That spread is a reason to compare before you pull in.
A few steps can trim the cost this weekend. Check a price app or your navigation app before you leave, since prices can differ between nearby stations. Use the warehouse club or grocery-store fuel discounts if you already have a membership. Combine errands into one loop, keep tires inflated to the pressure on your door sticker, and ease off on hard acceleration.
Today's takeaway: before your next fill-up, take ten seconds to compare three nearby stations. On a 12-gallon tank, a 20-cent difference is $2.40 back in your pocket.
Sources
Facts were checked against these sources when the post was written. Details can change, so check them for the latest.