Getting ready for a Labor Day roadtrip? Good news: Gas prices down in California (2024)

Motorists preparing for Labor Day weekend are seeing lower gas prices at the pump in California and nationwide.

The state’s average price Wednesday was $4.622, down from $5.287 on the same date in 2023, according to AAA.

“It’s good news for those taking road trips to see that prices are lower than what we were paying last year,” said Doug Shupe, corporate communications manager at the Auto Club’s office in Los Angeles. But he added that gas prices aren’t the deciding factor in vacation plans, which are typically made far before a holiday such as Labor Day.

Gas in California continues to cost more than the national average, which AAA said was $3.361 Wednesday, down from $3.819 one year ago.

Prices county by county

Within the state, prices varied slightly, but stuck around $4.60 a gallon in Southern California, AAA reported.

The average Wednesday was $4.676 in Ventura County, $4.691 in Santa Barbara County, $4.576 in Los Angeles County, $4.491 in San Bernardino County, $4.459 in Riverside County and $4.683 in San Diego County.

Prices rose as motorists headed north along the coast. San Luis Obispo County’s average was $4.861 a gallon, and San Francisco County’s prices averaged $4.831. Northern California counties along the coast saw prices around $5 a gallon.

News was better inland in the northern and central parts of the state. Averages were $4.54 in Shasta County, $4.511 in San Joaquin County, $4.596 in Tulare County, and $4.594 a gallon in Fresno County.

Less expensive gas in Oregon, Nevada

Gas is cheaper in states next to California, according to AAA’s figures.

In Oregon, gas prices averaged $3.799 a gallon Wednesday, down from $4.745 one year ago.

Motorists heading to Las Vegas will find cheaper gas in Nevada. The average price was $3.968 on Wednesday. At this time, in 2023, the average was $4.49.

But Shupe advises motorists leaving California for Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday to leave in the morning. Interstate 15, the freeway from California into Nevada, will be congested in the afternoon on both days, the AAA spokesman said.

He has other tips for motorists such as saving gas by packing luggage inside the car and not on top of it.

Finding the lowest gas prices

Some stations Wednesday were selling gas for $4.25 a gallon or less in Ventura County, $3.89 gallon or less in Fresno County and $3.83 a gallon or less in Riverside County, according to gasbuddy.com.

The website lists the cheapest gas stations throughout California, county by county. Stations include those at big box stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club, which are popular for their lower gas prices.

Why are prices down?

Lower oil prices have led to falling gas prices, according to USA Today. The U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, is down more than 10% from early July.The decrease is fueled by factors such as weakening oil demand in China, a top consumer, and the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, said Matt Smith, an oil analyst with commodity data firm Kpler.

Why is gas so expensive in California?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, several factors influence gas prices, including crude oil prices, refining costs, taxes, distribution, and marketing.

As of Aug. 26, the average price of a gallon of gas in the United States is $3.35. In California, the average gas price is $4.45.

Why are California gas prices higher than the rest of the nation? California requires a special, more expensive blend of gasoline that reduces pollution. Another wrinkle? According to the California Energy Commission, that special blend of gas is only processed by 11 refineries within the state.

Finally, California's high taxes are also a factor. According to the Energy Information Administration, the state has the highestgasoline taxesin the nation at 60 cents a gallon.

Driving tips to save on gas

Looking for ways to save money on gas? American Automobile Association (AAA). First, AAA research hasfound that unless premium fuel is recommended or required by your car’s manufacturer, it provides no added benefit, so choose the cheaper blend.

AAA also suggests:

• Slow down: On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in winter. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning. Even at highway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to operate the air conditioning compressor.
• In hot weather, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to lessen heat buildup inside the car. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and thus fuel) to cool down the car.
• Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car. Accelerating a heavier car requires more fuel, and the reduction in fuel economy is greater for small cars than for larger models.
• Use roof racks sparingly and remove special carriers when not in use. On the highway, even an empty bike, canoe, or ski rack can reduce fuel economy, and a loaded rack or car-top container will have a major effect on gas mileage.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This story included previous reporting by Bailey Schulz of USA TODAY.