California drivers are facing significantly higher prices at the pump, with the statewide average for regular gasoline reaching $5.526 per gallon as of March 16, 2026, according to data from AAA. This marks an increase of approximately 40 cents per gallon over the past 14 days.
The surge in prices comes amid rising global tensions and increased demand as the spring break season begins. On March 9, 2026, AAA reported a national average gas price of $3.47 per gallon, while California’s average stood at $5.20, and Bakersfield specifically at $5.09. This meant California drivers were already paying $1.73 more per gallon than the national average at that time.
Kandace Redd, a spokesperson for AAA, stated that gas prices have risen sharply in a short period. “So, we know that in just one month gas prices jumped sixty-seven cents nationwide,” Redd said. She also noted a rapid increase earlier in March, triggered by events in Iran. “On Monday March 2, that was the date we were all paying attention to, the national average was $2.99. The very next day it surged to $3.10. We’re talking about an 11-cent increase happening overnight,” she explained.
The price increases are not uniform across the state. In Bakersfield, the current average price for regular gasoline is $5.445 per gallon, while in Chico-Paradise, This proves $5.341. Fresno drivers are paying an average of $5.448 per gallon. Diesel fuel is significantly more expensive across California, currently averaging $6.439 per gallon statewide.
Sherod Waite, CEO of Moneywise Wealth Management, cautioned against attributing a potential economic downturn solely to rising fuel costs. “What can happen is the increase in price of fuel can sort of tip us into that direction but it’s not likely that gas prices alone will do that,” Waite said.
According to AAA data, the highest recorded average price for regular unleaded gasoline in California was $6.438 per gallon on June 14, 2022, while diesel reached a record high of $7.011 per gallon on June 18, 2022. As of March 16, 2026, the national average gas price is $3.718, while California’s average is $5.526.
