California drivers already dealing with the nation’s highest gas prices are are bracing for another painful jump at the pump this summer.
After what seemed like a brief hiatus, tensions are heating up again between the United States and Iran in their conflict, and it’s fueling concerns about global oil supplies, pushing gas prices up, said fuel experts.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in California has increased by 10 cents over the past week, according to gas price tracking websites. As of Wednesday, the average price per gallon was $5.64, per the American Automobile Association.
Although shipments through the Strait of Hormuz briefly increased after last month’s ceasefire between the US and Iran, renewed fighting has again frozen traffic through the waterway.
At the same time, Ukrainian drone strikes have reduced Russia’s refining capacity, while Moscow this month banned diesel exports, further restraining global oil supply.
The concern now is that the system has little room for another hit.
“Volatility along the Strait of Hormuz and instability in the region have pushed crude oil prices into the $90 per barrel range and could continue driving up costs during the second half of summer,” AAA said.
The global supply crunch may be driving prices higher, but California drivers are already starting from a far more expensive baseline.
The state’s taxes and environmental regulations have created a structural “California premium” that keeps pump prices more than $1.50 a gallon above the national average, meaning every new disruption hits California motorists even harder.
Right now, some rural California residents are looking at the biggest spikes. The counties with the highest gas prices include:
- Mono County — $6.83 per gallon of regular gas
- Inyo County — $6.14
- Sierra County — $6.10
- San Luis Obispo County — $5.92
- Humboldt County — $5.90
The cheapest counties include:
- Sutter County — $5.30 per gallon of regular gas
- Tehama County — $5.38
- Yuba County — $5.38
- Butte County — $5.45
In the major metro areas, more of Northern California is paying higher than Southern California.
San Francisco has an average of $5.83 per gallon, nearly 20 cents up from a month ago. Los Angeles drivers are paying a $5.70 average, a 24 cents jump from last month.
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