Overview
- AAA reports California averages about $4.65 per gallon, the highest in the nation, as refineries begin maintenance and the state transitions early to costlier summer-blend fuel.
- GasBuddy estimates Southern California prices could rise roughly 10 to 30 cents per gallon in the near term, with the increase not expected to be permanent.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom linked higher prices to President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran, while Republican lawmakers and industry groups blamed state policies and shrinking in‑state refining.
- MarineTraffic shows many tankers avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, yet EIA data indicate only about 10% of U.S. oil imports come from the Middle East and imports make up roughly 30% of total supply.
- California’s refining base has thinned, with Phillips 66’s Bakersfield refinery closed in December and Valero’s Benicia facility expected to shut this year, increasing reliance on outside supplies.