Spring marks higher fuel demand and the switch to the summer gasoline blend
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2026) - Spring weather may be weeks away in much of the country, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is underway in California. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose four cents since last week to $4.63. That price is still 19 cents lower than this time last year.
***The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up by more than five cents this past week to $2.98.
“Refineries are beginning the process of producing summer-blend gasoline which contains pricier additives to help reduce evaporation during warmer months,” said AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Doug Johnson. “Gas demand is also expected to increase next month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips.”
Fuel Prices Around the State:
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 21 cents to settle at $65.42 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 16 million barrels from the previous week. At 435.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same at 39 cents. In California, the average cost is 42 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.63), Hawaii ($4.40), Washington ($4.35), Oregon ($3.92), Nevada ($3.71), Alaska ($3.59), Arizona ($3.26), Pennsylvania ($3.12), Washington, DC ($3.09), and Illinois ($3.03).
The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($2.43), Mississippi ($2.52), Kansas ($2.54), Louisiana ($2.55), Tennessee ($2.56), Arkansas ($2.58), Wisconsin ($2.59), Texas ($2.60), North Dakota ($2.61), and Iowa ($2.63).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (50 cents), Alaska (48 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), South Carolina (44 cents), New Hampshire (44 cents), New Jersey (43 cents), California (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), and Tennessee (41 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Wyoming (27 cents), Missouri (28 cents), Nebraska (30 cents), Utah (31 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Vermont (32 cents), Maryland (33 cents), New Mexico (33 cents), and Delaware (33 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2026) - Spring weather may be weeks away in much of the country, but the seasonal rise in gas prices is underway in California. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose four cents since last week to $4.63. That price is still 19 cents lower than this time last year.
***The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up by more than five cents this past week to $2.98.
“Refineries are beginning the process of producing summer-blend gasoline which contains pricier additives to help reduce evaporation during warmer months,” said AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Doug Johnson. “Gas demand is also expected to increase next month as spring break season kicks off and more drivers take road trips.”
Fuel Prices Around the State:
- San Francisco: $4.84
- Oakland: $4.72
- San Jose: $4.67
- Sacramento: $4.65
- Fresno: $4.59
- Stockton: $4.54
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 21 cents to settle at $65.42 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 16 million barrels from the previous week. At 435.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV Charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same at 39 cents. In California, the average cost is 42 cents.
State Stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.63), Hawaii ($4.40), Washington ($4.35), Oregon ($3.92), Nevada ($3.71), Alaska ($3.59), Arizona ($3.26), Pennsylvania ($3.12), Washington, DC ($3.09), and Illinois ($3.03).
The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($2.43), Mississippi ($2.52), Kansas ($2.54), Louisiana ($2.55), Tennessee ($2.56), Arkansas ($2.58), Wisconsin ($2.59), Texas ($2.60), North Dakota ($2.61), and Iowa ($2.63).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (50 cents), Alaska (48 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), South Carolina (44 cents), New Hampshire (44 cents), New Jersey (43 cents), California (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), and Tennessee (41 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Wyoming (27 cents), Missouri (28 cents), Nebraska (30 cents), Utah (31 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Vermont (32 cents), Maryland (33 cents), New Mexico (33 cents), and Delaware (33 cents).
Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.
