Merced County gas prices to fall as winter-blend starts. See cheapest stations
Merced-area drivers can expect some relief at the pump, according to AAA.
Gas stations across California switched to a cheaper winter fuel blend on Oct. 31, and prices are expected to drop in the coming weeks.
“With the seasonal transition from summer- to winter-blend fuel, drivers are likely to see gas prices continue to decline, barring any disruptions in supplies,” the automobile association said in an Oct. 14 news release.
With the shift to the less expensive winter blend underway, here’s what Merced County drivers should know about gas prices.
Why did gas prices in Merced County rise?
A fire at the El Segundo Chevron refinery in Southern California in early October briefly affected West Coast pump prices.
However, AAA said, the “average price of gas in California only increased a couple of cents.”
“This facility is one of the largest in California, producing about 40% of Southern California’s jet fuel as well as about 20% of its fuel for cars,” the automobile association said.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, previously told The Sacramento Bee that the fire was expected to push gas prices up by 5 to 25 cents per gallon.
Prices in the Merced area went up by a few cents as a result of the fire, according to AAA.
As the refinery continues operating at reduced capacity, De Haan said, that could influence gas prices across California through the end of 2025, depending on how long it takes to return to full operations.
The seasonal shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could help offset cost increases related to the refinery fire, softening the impact for drivers.
What are current gas prices in California?
In its Oct. 14 release, AAA reported that California was the U.S. “state with the most expensive gas in the nation for the fourth week in a row,” with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at $4.66.
As of Friday, Nov. 14, California still held that title.
The Golden State had the highest gas prices in the United States, with prices averaging about $4.67 per gallon of regular gas statewide.
That’s more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.08.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.48 per gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Merced County?
While the cheapest gas in the Central Valley is mostly found in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Kings counties — where a gallon of regular runs about $4.23 to $4.25 — Merced County isn’t among the most expensive places to fill up.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Merced area was about $4.42, as of Friday, Nov. 14.
That is 14 cents less than October’s average of $4.56.
Around this time in 2024, drivers were paying approximately $4.41 for a gallon of regular gas on average in the Merced area.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Merced County
As of Friday, Nov. 14, some Merced-area gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.42 per gallon, 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. Diamond Gas and Market, 1720 R St., Merced — $3.79 per gallon
2. Sinclair, 1411 V St., Merced — $3.79
3. Sinclair, 1245 R St., Merced — $3.79
4. Gas-N-Save, 963 West 16th St., Merced — $3.79
5. Costco, 1445 R St., Merced — $3.87
6. Star Gas & Mart, 1970 East Childs Ave., Merced— $3.87
7. ARCO, 2070 East Childs Ave., Merced — $3.89
8. Sinclair, 1911 Atwater Blvd., Atwater — $3.89
9. Handi Stop, 1460 Yosemite Parkway Merced — $3.89
10. ARCO, 3100 G St., Merced — $3.95
