Gas prices to drop in California as seasonal shift begins. Here’s what you’ll pay
It’s no secret that gas prices are always fluctuating.
As California shifts into fall, gas demand is dropping, and pump prices are expected to ease soon, according to a recent AAA news release.
“The national average for a gallon of regular is down about a penny to $3.19,” the agency said in a Thursday, Sept. 11, news release. “There remains an abundance of crude oil supply which is outweighing demand.”
While California drivers routinely pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, AAA said, the seasonal transition to winter-blend gasoline – which is cheaper to produce – is approaching.
Here’s what you might expect to pay at the pump:
Why did gas prices rise in Washington and Idaho?
While gas prices have stayed fairly steady nationwide, drivers in the Pacific Northwest are seeing a jump at the pump, according to AAA.
The increase comes after an outage at the Olympic Pipeline, along with planned and unexpected maintenance at refineries in Washington and California.
“Gas prices in the area have jumped more than 20 cents in the past week due to the shutdown of a major pipeline that transports fuel from Washington to Oregon,” the agency said.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 17, reports show that the pipeline has resumed operations, according to AAA.
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 switcher 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.”
Will gas prices rise or drop this winter?
Gas prices often climb in mid-to-late winter and early spring, because refineries undergo maintenance and prepare to switch back to summer-blend fuel, which costs more to make and evaporates less in warmer weather, according to AAA.
“The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country,” AAA said.
In some parts of California, the agency said, the switch begins as early as February, with certain areas requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1.
How much does gas cost in California per gallon?
After six weeks in the top spot, Washington has now passed California for the highest gas prices in the nation, AAA reports.
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 Thursday, Sept. 18, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.65 a gallon.
That’s 16 cents more than August’s average and more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.20.
Around this time last year, California drivers were paying about $4.78 a gallon.
Where can I find cheapest gas in California?
According to AAA, the most affordable fuel could primarily be found in parts of Northern and Southern California — with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dipping as low as $4.40 in Modesto, $4.41 in El Centro and $4.32 in Yuba City.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 17, these were the average prices per gallon for regular gas at metropolitan areas around California:
- Bakersfield: $4.58 per gallon
- Chico-Paradise: $4.50
- El Centro: $4.41
- Fresno: $4.61
- Hanford-Corcoran: $4.42
- Los Angeles-Long Beach: $4.72
- Madera-Chowchila: $4.62
- Merced: $4.52
- Modesto: $4.40
- Napa: $4.82
- Oakland: $4.65
- Orange County: $4.72
- Redding: $4.45
- Riverside: $4.60
- Sacramento: $4.58
- Salinas: $4.77
- San Bernardino: $4.61
- San Diego: $4.77
- San Francisco: $4.75
- San Jose: $4.58
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles: $4.90
- San Rafael: $4.75
- Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc: $4.64
- Santa Cruz-Watsonville: $4.65
- Santa Rosa: $4.81
- Stockton-Lodi: $4.50
- Vallejo-Fairfield: $4.55
- Ventura: $4.72
- Visalia-Tulare-Porterville: $4.52
- Yolo: $4.51
- Yuba City: $4.32
Where can I find lowest gas prices in my area?
GasBuddy is a price-tracking website designed to help motorists find the cheapest gas prices in their areas.
You can search for the most affordable gas stations in your area on the GasBuddy website.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 7:42 AM with the headline "Gas prices to drop in California as seasonal shift begins. Here’s what you’ll pay."
