Californians gearing up for the Fourth of July are facing gas prices that are nearly a dollar higher per gallon compared to last year.
As of Thursday, the state’s average price for regular gasoline hit $5.40 a gallon, an increase from $4.57 just a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
Things took a turn for the worse, too, as California raised its gas tax right before the holiday. Following state law, which ties tax increases to inflation, the excise tax on gas went from 61.2 cents to 63.4 cents per gallon as of July 1.
Gas prices in California stand out, significantly higher than the national average of $3.84 per gallon. In fact, they’re the second highest in the country, just behind Hawaii, as reported by AAA.
This has left many drivers frustrated. One driver named Zuri expressed her feelings after paying $60 for gas at a Los Angeles station. “I felt like I was really suffocating. The temperature was starting to drop, and I didn’t even realize it,” she said, advocating for some relief from the ever-rising costs.
In certain counties, prices soar even higher. In Mono County, near the California-Nevada border, the average was a staggering $6.70 per gallon on Thursday.
As for the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, folks are paying about $5.41 per gallon, which is nearly a dollar jump from last year. San Francisco residents are seeing averages of $5.58, a significant rise from $4.80 last year.
Factors like the ongoing conflict in Iran and restricted global oil supplies have driven up gas prices nationwide. However, experts indicate that California’s own policies contribute to the problem, citing higher taxes and the state’s environmental regulations that hinder domestic oil growth.
AAA spokeswoman Candace Redd noted that “Fewer refineries operating means supply is tight,” adding that the increased demand in spring and summer exacerbates the price hikes.
All of this has resulted in record fuel prices for California this year. For instance, diesel was seen at a jaw-dropping statewide average of $7.45 in late March, the highest recorded price.
A couple, Paulina and Thomas, shared their concerns while refueling in Los Angeles, saying, “It’s not good for us. It’s not good for tourists. We’ve traveled to several states, but California is the most expensive.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has pointed fingers at President Trump and the Iran conflict for these gas surges. He claimed, “For two years, average gas prices never hit $5 a gallon…then Trump haphazardly started a war with Iran, putting the world’s gasoline at risk!”
