Merced-area gas prices to rise as stations switch fuel blends. What you’ll pay
Making a pit stop at the gas station is about to get even pricier for Merced County drivers.
According to AAA, California refineries are starting the annual switch to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce and typically leads to higher prices at the pump.
“California is the first state in the nation to make the transition, while East Coast states are the last,” the automobile association said in a Feb. 17 news release.
Most states are required to switch to summer-blend fuel by May 1, and gas stations nationwide must be selling it by June 1.
As the seasonal shift begins, here’s what drivers in Merced County can expect to pay at the pump:
Why are Merced County gas prices rising?
Gas prices typically begin climbing in late winter and early spring, because of the switch to summer-blend fuel.
Summer-blend fuel costs more to produce, AAA said.
“Summer gasoline has a lower Reid vapor pressure, which helps reduce evaporation in warmer temperatures,” AAA said in the Feb. 17 release.
In some parts of California, the switch to summer-blend fuel begins as early as February.
The switch must be completed by April 1, according to AAA.
California drivers already pay some of the highest gas prices in the country. With the seasonal transition now underway, AAA said, motorists can expect prices to continue climbing in the weeks ahead.
During this time, AAA said, some refineries also conduct maintenance, which can further tighten supply and add pressure to prices.
“Higher crude oil prices have also put upward pressure on pump prices,” the automobile association said.
How do foreign affairs influence crude oil costs?
Marie Dodds, a public affairs director for AAA, said global tensions — including uncertainty involving oil-producing countries — could create additional price swings beyond the usual seasonal increases.
“The unknown is how geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran will continue to impact crude oil prices,” Dodds said in the Feb. 17 release. “That could mean volatility at the pumps, in addition to the normal seasonal spring increases.”
Crude oil prices — which help determine what you pay at the gas pump — have mostly stayed in a moderate range within the upper $50s to mid-$70s per barrel since late 2024, according to AAA.
Prices briefly rose in June when tensions between the United States and Iran increased, but they dropped slightly as diplomatic talks continued.
“Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, the current situation in Venezuela, tensions over Greenland, protests in Iran, sanctions on Iran’s oil, unrest in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the war between Russia and Ukraine,” AAA said.
Since crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, changes in oil prices are passed along to consumers.
About half of what you pay at the pump reflects the cost of crude oil, with the rest covering refining, distribution, marketing and taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The United States continues to produce oil at high levels, which also helps influence overall supply and pricing, according to AAA.
How much will gas prices rise in Merced County?
According to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the switch to summer-blend gasoline — along with refinery slowdowns — can push the national average gas price up by more than 10 cents per gallon.
In California and other states on the West Coast, the cost increase can be even higher. This is because the region has fewer refineries, so any maintenance or supply issues can lead to larger price jumps, the federal agency said.
Despite these seasonal increases, the agency’s forecast expects 2026 gas prices to be about 6% lower than in 2025.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Merced County?
Northern California is often home to some of the state’s lowest gas prices, and Merced County typically ranks among more affordable California counties for fuel costs, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Merced County was about $4.54, as of Thursday, Feb. 26.
That is 10 cents less than the statewide average of $4.64.
Around this time in 2025, drivers were paying approximately $4.78 for a gallon of regular gas on average in the Merced area.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Merced County
GasBuddy is a price-tracking website designed to help motorists find the cheapest gas prices in their areas.
As of Thursday, Feb. 26, some Merced County gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.54.
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:
1. Delhi 5 Star, 15406 August Ave., Delhi — $3.93 per gallon
2. Quik Stop, 401 Joseph Gallo Court, Livingston — $3.94
3. Diamond Gas & Mart, 1720 R St., Merced — $4.09
4. Petro Stopping Center, 28991 West Gonzaga Road, Santa Nella — $4.09
5. Star Gas & Mart, 1970 East Childs Ave., Merced — $4.15
6. Love’s Travel Stop, 29025 West Plaza Drive, Santa Nella — $4.15
7. ARCO, 12185 South Santa Nella Blvd., Santa Nella — $4.15
8. Rotten Robbie, 12860 South Highway 33, Santa Nella — $4.15
9. Costco, 1445 R St., Merced — $4.19
10. Sinclair, 1911 Atwater Blvd., Atwater — $4.19
