The average price for a gallon of regular gas in California has climbed by 82 cents over the past month with the price in Los Angeles County reaching its highest level in years.
The average price for a gallon of regular in Los Angeles County Thursday was at $5.407, the county’s highest average price since Oct. 29, 2023.
The highest recorded average price in Los Angeles County is $6.495 on Oct. 5, 2022.
Statewide on Thursday, the price for a gallon of regular gas stood at $5.368. As usual, that’s higher than the national average at $3.598.
One month ago, the California average was at $4.545. A year ago, it was $4.681.
The state’s highest recorded average price is $6.438 on June 14, 2022.
Some of the highest fuel prices were in coastal counties, including San Luis Obispo ($5.538/gallon), Monterey ($5.541), San Mateo ($5.632), Marin ($5.639), Sonoma ($5.580), Humboldt ($5.847) and Del Norte ($5.495).
Some of the lowest prices were in northeastern California, including Modoc ($5.056), Lassen ($5.015), Shasta ($5.176), Tehama ($5.085) and Butte ($5.164).
Average gas prices March 12, 2026.
Here’s a county-by-county breakdown of Thursday’s Southern California fuel prices (gallon of regular) compared to one week, month and year ago.
Los Angeles County
Current: $5.407
One week ago: $4.880
One month ago: $4.577
One year ago: $4.677
Orange County
Current: $5.366
One week ago: $4.841
One month ago: $4.497
One year ago: $4.637
Riverside County
Current: $5.292
One week ago: $4.771
One month ago: $4.431
One year ago: $4.513
San Bernardino County
Current: $5.292
One week ago: $4.768
One month ago: $4.419
One year ago: $4.525
Ventura County
Current: $5.349
One week ago: $4.820
One month ago: $4.518
One year ago: $4.670
The International Energy Agency said in its monthly report released Thursday that the war in Iran is “creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.” The agency said oil being transported through the crucial Strait of Hormuz was reduced to “a trickle.”
Iran has threatened to attack U.S. Israeli or allied ships attempting to use the strait, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically passes. Any changes in shipping activity in the strait connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea has a significant impact on global oil prices.
Earlier this week, the agency released a record 400 million barrels in an attempt to counter the slowdown. The release was considered a “stop-gap measure,” officials said.
Gas sold in California is a blend of 90 percent petroleum based gasoline, as required by the California Air Resources Board, and 10 percent ethanol. More than 90 percent of the gasoline consumed in California comes from in-state refineries, according to the state Energy Commission.