It's Official: CA Has The Highest Gas Prices

CALIFORNIA -- Americans are paying 31 cents more for a gallon of gas than they did a year ago, but Californians are paying significantly more because of taxes.

Across the U.S., the average price for a gallon of gas is $2.53. That's six cents more than a week ago, two cents more than a month ago and 31 cents more than a year ago, according to a report released this week by AAA.

California leads the nation in having the most expensive gas at $3.21 a gallon. The uptick in prices is caused by the new gas tax of 12 cents to 41 cents a gallon that were imposed on Nov. 1, according to the report.

California was followed by Hawaii with an average of $3.17 a gallon and Alaska with $3.09 a gallon.

“October has seen strong demand numbers likely, in part, due to consumers taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather rather than spending time indoors,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “As consumers fill up their tanks more frequently, we are seeing supply levels tighten and gas prices increase. However, we don’t expect this increase to be long-term.”

The national gas price average during the second half of October was relatively stable, fluctuating a penny or two until Oct. 31, according to AAA.

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