Want to save on gas in Merced County? Where to find cheapest stations
California gas prices are always fluctuating, but relief may be on the way for drivers in Merced County.
As California shifts into fall, gas demand is dropping, and pump prices are expected to ease soon, AAA said in a recent news release.
“There remains an abundance of crude oil supply, which is outweighing demand,” the automobile association said in the Sept. 11 release.
California drivers still pay some of the highest prices in the country, but the upcoming switch to winter-blend gasoline — which is cheaper to make — could help bring costs down, according to AAA.
Here’s a look at what you might expect to pay around Merced County:
What are current gas prices in California?
After six weeks in the top spot, Washington has now passed California for the highest gas prices in the nation, AAA said.
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 Friday, Sept. 19, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.66 a gallon.
That’s 17 cents more than August’s average and more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.20.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.78 a gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Merced County?
Gas prices in Merced County aren’t the highest in California, but they’re not the cheapest either, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Merced area was about $4.53, as of Friday, Sept. 19.
That is 10 cents more than August’s average of $4.43.
Around this time in 2024, Merced drivers were paying approximately $4.90 for a gallon of regular gas.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Merced County
As of Friday, Sept. 19, some Merced-area gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.53 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy.
These were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in Merced County based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:
1. Delhi 5 Star, 15406 August Ave., Delhi — $3.97 per gallon
2. ARCO, 2080 Campbell Blvd., Livingston — $3.99
3. Quik Stop, 401 Joseph Gallo Court, Livingston — $3.99
4. Sinclair, 1411 V St., Merced — $4.03
5. Love’s Travel Stop, 29025 West Plaza Drive, Santa Nella — $4.09
6. ARCO, 12185 South Santa Nella Blvd., Santa Nella — $4.09
7. Star Gas & Mart, 1970 East Childs Ave., Merced — $4.09
8. Rotten Robbie, 12860 South Highway 33, Santa Nella — $4.09
9. Petro Stopping Center, 28991 West Gonzaga Road, Santa Nella — $4.09
10. Smiley’s Gas, 1480 West 16th St., Merced — $4.09
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 switch 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.”
