New CA Gas Price Record Tops Nation By Wide Margin

CALIFORNIA, CA — The average price of gasoline in California on Thursday set a new record at $6.06 per gallon, blowing the national average of $4.58 out of the water.

Gas prices have climbed for months, with no sign of stopping, accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that prompted U.S. restrictions on Russian oil imports. There is not likely to be relief at the pump for Golden State residents in the months to come, according to the experts.

The average price of a gallon climbed $0.21 in just a week, setting a new record high for California, according to AAA.

For the first time ever, every state in the country saw prices exceed $4 per gallon Wednesday, according to SFGATE. California led the pack by $0.71; the next most expensive state was Hawaii, with an average gas price of $5.34.

Oklahoma was the least-expensive state, with a price of $4.03 per gallon.

There were multiple reasons why California led by such a massive amount, including high gas taxes, strict environmental and emission laws and difficulty importing gasoline to California, according to The Hill.

Mono County topped the Golden State, with an unbelievable average price of $7.05 per gallon, according to AAA. Mono County is a small county in the east of Central California and a population of just over 13,000 people. Residents told USA Today on Wednesday that gas prices significantly affected their day-to-day lives and cost of living.

The least expensive gas was found in San Diego County, at $6.02.

Prices will definitely stay high through the summer, experts told SFGATE. A significant drop in gas prices would need to be preceded by an improvement in the global supply, a drop in global demand, faster pandemic economic recovery or a resolution of the Ukraine war, SFGATE reported.

The top 10 most expensive counties in California were the following.

1. Mono County, $7.05.
2. Alpine County, $6.79.
3. Humboldt County, $6.44.
4. Del Norte, $6.36.
5. Trinity County, $6.32.
6. Sierra County, $6.30.
7. San Francisco County, $6.30.
8. Napa County, $6.29.
9. San Mateo County, $6.29.
10. Marin County, $6.28.

Correction: An earlier version of this report mischaracterized the difference between the California and national average. California's average gas price is 71 cents higher than the next highest state and $1.48 higher than the national average of $4.58.