California gas prices vary widely by county, with inland stations cheaper than coastal ones

California drivers face an average regular gasoline price of $5.593 per gallon, which is $1.58 higher than the national average. A county-level breakdown reveals that inland locations such as Yuba City ($5.2718), El Centro ($5.3786) and Stockton-Lodi ($5.3984) provide the most affordable fuel, while coastal areas like San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles ($5.8601) are the costliest. Premium gasoline averages $6.26 and diesel $7.11, creating a spread of almost 59 cents between the cheapest and most expensive markets.

This disparity means a driver filling a 20-gallon tank could pay nearly $12 more in high-price counties. Prices remain above the national average across the state, with the Central Valley generally cheaper than coastal regions due to lower transportation and distribution costs. State-specific factors, including taxes, a special fuel blend and a shrinking refinery base, account for about 55% of the pump price.