California Gas Prices Top $6 as National Average Climbs

The national average price for regular gasoline rose to $4.47 per gallon on September 18, 2026, approaching the yearly record of $4.56 set in May. This surge is driven by Brent crude oil exceeding $100 per barrel, fueled by volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and the closure of a critical oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Diesel prices have also climbed to a record high of $6.43 per gallon.

California currently maintains the most expensive gasoline market in the United States. Statewide averages reached $6.11 per gallon, with San Diego averaging $6.15 and Los Angeles–Long Beach at $6.13. Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd noted that California is particularly vulnerable to these price spikes because the state imports significant amounts of oil from the Middle East.

Data from the United States Energy Information Administration shows that gasoline demand rose to 8.79 million barrels per day last week, while domestic production increased to 9.6 million barrels per day. Despite these production levels, prices have risen nearly 50% since the start of the conflict involving Iran.

President Donald Trump has addressed the cost-of-living concerns ahead of the November midterm elections, pledging that gasoline prices could eventually drop below $2 a gallon and predicting a sharp decline following the election.