LOS ANGELES – A relentless surge in gas prices is battering Southern California drivers as local averages hit their highest marks in nearly two years, fueled by a volatile mix of tightening global supplies and a shrinking domestic refining landscape. 

This rapid escalation, characterized by weeks of consecutive daily increases, has pushed costs at the pump well above the $5 threshold across the region, sparking concerns over sustained inflationary pressure on the heels of the spring travel season.

A sign displays the prices of unleaded gasoline at a Chevron gas station in Palo Alto, California, US, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Regional average prices (regular self-serve) by county

Local perspective:

As of Wednesday, March 11, gas prices across Southern California broke record highs. 

Los Angeles County leads the region with an average of $5.376, followed closely by Orange County at $5.339. The Inland Empire and Ventura County have also seen aggressive jumps, with every major Southern California county now averaging well above $5.00 per gallon.

Here’s a breakdown by county:

Los Angeles Average price: $5.376Change vs. last month: +82.2 cents Orange Average price: $5.339Change vs. last month: +86.3 cents Riverside Average price: $5.267Change vs. last month: +80.9 cents San Bernardino Average price: $5.285 Change vs. last month: +81.4 cents Ventura Average price: $5.318Change vs. last month: +79.1 cents Why are prices rising?

What we know:

The current spike is being driven by a “perfect storm” of global and local factors. 

Internationally, the ongoing war with Iran has destabilized global energy markets, pushing crude oil prices toward $100 per barrel and causing immediate ripples at the pump. 

Locally, California’s status as a “fuel island” makes it uniquely vulnerable; the impending closure of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles and the Valero facility in Benicia has significantly reduced the state’s refining capacity. 

SUGGESTED:

Because California requires a specialized, eco-friendly blend that cannot be easily imported from other states, any reduction in local production leads to a rapid and dramatic increase in retail costs.

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What they’re saying:

“In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Analysts from AAA note that while these increases are “aggressive,” the current prices are still roughly $1.12 below the record-breaking highs of over $6.40 seen in October 2022.

What’s next:

Market analysts warn that if geopolitical tensions do not ease, or if further supply disruptions occur, California could see averages climb toward the $6 mark before the summer travel season begins. 

State legislators are currently facing pressure to address the “refinery gap” to prevent further price shocks as more facilities prepare to wind down operations.

The Source: This report is compiled is based on data provided by AAA, the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), and GasBuddy’s real-time fuel tracking. Additional context regarding refinery closures and impacts were gathered from reports by the University of California, Davis, and the California Energy Commission.

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