This is the time of year when pump prices start nudging higher, as spring approaches and refineries start making the switch to summer-blend gasoline production. Photo courtesy of Freepik

CALIFORNIA (MPG) - The month of February is kicking off with higher gas prices across California. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose 13 cents since last week to $4.39. That price is still 11 cents lower than this time last year.

The national average for a gallon of regular is up a couple of cents from last week at $2.89. Current prices remain below what they were this time last year when the national average was $3.12.

“Gasoline demand is down as fewer drivers hit the road during the recent winter storms. But this is the time of year when pump prices start nudging higher, as spring approaches and refineries start making the switch to summer-blend gasoline production,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. 

Fuel prices around the state vary by city, with San Francisco reporting the highest average at $4.61 per gallon, followed by Oakland at $4.46 and San Jose at $4.39. Sacramento’s average stands at $4.37, while Fresno reports $4.31, and Stockton has the lowest among these cities at $4.25 per gallon.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.75 million b/d to 8.15 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 257.2 million barrels to 257.9 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.0 million barrels per day.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Feb. 5 formal trading session, WTI rose $1.93 to settle at $65.14 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration reports crude oil inventories decreased by 3.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 420.3 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

EV Charging

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remains at 38 cents. In California, the average cost is 42 cents.

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($4.40), California ($4.39), Washington ($3.97), Nevada ($3.51), Oregon ($3.49), Alaska ($3.46), Washington, DC ($3.09), Arizona ($3.08), Pennsylvania ($3.08), and Illinois ($3.03).

The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Oklahoma ($2.36), Arkansas ($2.44), Texas ($2.45), Mississippi ($2.45), Kansas ($2.47), Louisiana ($2.49), Missouri ($2.50), Tennessee ($2.50), Iowa ($2.54), and Alabama ($2.55).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (51 cents), Alaska (48 cents), Hawaii (45 cents), Louisiana (45 cents),  New Hampshire (43 cents), California (42 cents), South Carolina (41 cents), New Jersey (41 cents), Alabama (41 cents), and Tennessee (41 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Wyoming (27 cents),  Missouri (27 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Delaware (31 cents), Utah (31 cents), Maryland (31 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Vermont (32 cents), and Michigan (33 cents).

Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at gasprices.aaa.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.