Drivers in California are witnessing an eye-watering surge in gas prices over the past few days, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran continue to disrupt global energy markets and push crude oil prices higher.
The average price of regular gasoline in California on March 9, 2026, was $5.20 per gallon, while the national average totaled $3.47 per gallon, according to AAA.
Gas prices in California have been climbing over the past few days, rising from $5.15 per gallon on March 8, 2026, according to AAA. A week ago, a gallon of regular gasoline cost California drivers $4.65.
In Santa Barbara, the current average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.11, up from $5.08 on March 8, 2026, and $4.57 from the previous week, AAA data showed.
While Santa Barbara’s prices remain high, counties such as San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Sonoma, San Mateo, Inyo, Marin, and Humboldt have seen averages ranging between about $5.29 and $5.74 per gallon, according to AAA.
Expressing concern over the dramatic increase in gas prices, Governor Gavin Newsom said in a social media post that California’s average gas prices “have stayed below $5 for nearly two years – until now.”
No, you ding dong. This is because of Trump’s war with Iran.
Average gas prices in California have stayed below $5 for nearly two years — until now. https://t.co/Ce2utH5Ult
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) March 8, 2026
He blamed President Donald Trump’s “war with Iran” for the soaring prices.
With gas prices already higher than the national average, regular gasoline prices in California could climb past $7 per gallon, according to a 24/7 Wall St report.
Citing predictions by Polymarket, the report said the national average price of gasoline could reach $5 by the end of March, with California’s average potentially rising to about $7.48 per gallon.
Why is Gas Expensive in California?
In addition to volatile conditions in the Middle East pushing oil prices higher, California’s higher taxes and stricter requirements for cleaner fuel blends have also contributed to higher gasoline prices in the Golden State.
California drivers pay more at the pump than in most parts of the country primarily due to the isolated nature of the state’s transportation fuels market, a “special gasoline recipe” that reduces pollution, environmental program costs, and taxes, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC).
More than 90% of the state’s gasoline consumption comes from in-state refineries. As a result, major unplanned refinery outages can lead to increases in gas prices, according to the CEC.
The majority of the crude oil processed at the state’s 14 refineries is sourced from outside California, including more than 56% imported from foreign sources.
Along with the heavy dependence on imported crude oil, California has also been experiencing a wave of petroleum refinery closures, according to a recent study by The Stanford Climate & Energy Policy Program (CEPP).
Signaling a long-term decline in the state’s oil sector, California’s crude oil production has fallen by about 75% since the 1980s, according to the study.
Good information but why be evasive and disingenuous about this WAR the USA wages on Iran?? You misleadingly suggest that “geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran” have caused the skyrocketing gasoline prices, soon to go much higher. Led around like a blind Samson by Israel’s warmongering PM Netanyahu we’re bombing areas around and in Teheran, the Straits of Hormuz are effectively closed, and yet I thought the earlier US bombings of Natanz and Isfahan had eliminated their nuclear threat for at least a few years?? This is a stupid and heartless way to run an empire.
Thanks Trump! Potential of 7.00 per gallon in California!!!????
Oh, wait, IDGAF, I drive EVs. Trump’s people are absolutely incompetent. Dropping a bunch of bombs is not a real plan, they have no exit strategy and they never did. Now, of course, they are freaking out because they’ve created the greatest disruption to the flow of energy in history by embarking on a war he was elected to never start.
Stupid Trumpies.
$7 in Cali wouldn’t be because of President Trump
Absolutely it would. He just created the greatest disruption to the flow of oil in history.
Direct cause and effect.
[Trump starts a war that directly increases gas prices across the entire U.S.]
MAGA: It’s California and Newsom’s fault that gas is so high here!
Yeah… ok.
$7.00 per gallon gas is nearly guaranteed in California, basically a certainty. Who we want to blame it on is up to each individual. Per GasBuddy.com, lowest price for regular gas in Blythe, CA is $5.15….one mile away, just across the Colorado River in Ehrenberg, AZ it’s $3.29. That’s a Delta of $1.86 per gallon. That’s almost $38 more for gas in Cali than in Arizona. Oregon $3.25. Nevada $2.79. Utah $2.75. Washington. $3.35. To be fair, gas can be had in California (SF Bay Area) for around $4.00…SB $4.69…Goleta $4.49…
BEES – “Per GasBuddy.com, lowest price for regular gas in Blythe, CA is $5.15”
That’s just a lie. Why do you make such wildly stupid and false claims so flippantly?
I mean heck, you even contradict it in your last sentence.
“That’s almost $38 more for gas in Cali than in Arizona.” I failed miserably to include at the end of that sentence “….when buying 20 gallons of gasoline.” The GasBuddy prices were from yesterday, so the cheapest gas in Blythe today is $5.09, which is six cents cheaper than yesterday. Yesterday, oil hit a high of about $120/barrel, but was down to just above $80 a couple hours ago. GasBuddy provides the lowest REPORTED gas prices, but for those interested in checking averages by state, go here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/
The Democrats have destroyed California, the government is grossly incompetent in Taxiifornia. The abusive gas tax on the middle class is a scam, the government needs to cut its overstaffed overpaid bureaucracy.
Hi Kevin – Let’s talk about Ronald Reagan who sold arms to Iran. Let’s talk about Ronald Reagan who put tens of thousands of unstable people on our streets – and shut down a thriving hospital system. Let’s talk PEDO that you voted for who runs a cabal of pedos.
KEVIN – why haven’t you left? I love CA. It’s beautiful, I can afford to live less than a mile from the beach, we have mountains just a few hours away to ski/snowboard, top universities in the world. Great pro (and college) sports. TONS of culture in our multiple major cities. Laid back, beautiful people. Am I missing anything else? Yeah, it’s a bit expensive. Yeah, there are some homeless people. So what? Go find a place like CA that doesn’t.
Or, just keep crying. Up to you.
Funny how only CA is affected, and no…it’s not a war
STEVE – both are lies.
CA is not the only state suffering higher gas priced right now. If it’s not a war, then why are we demanding “unconditional surrender” and calling it a war?
Can you answer that? Of course not. Waddle in, spew some lies and waddle out like a🐔
“Not a war.” Explain how that’s the case. We’ve hit thousands of targets in Iran, sunk naval vessels, assassinated leadership, dropped five billion dollars of munitions in the last nine days.
How exactly is that not a war.
And, no, not only Ca. will be impacted when there is a global energy squeeze.
Funny how right wingers are incapable of rational thought. Everywhere is affected, but that doesn’t mean that gas prices are the same everywhere.
BTW, Trump has said repeatedly that it’s a war. Why do you think they changed the Department of Defense to the Department of War? It’s because they are eager to wage war all over the globe.
Many believe that the price per gallon of gas in California potentially will be $7 to $8/gallon. Even before the war in Iran, Cali’s gas prices were headed to the moon. Skyrocketing gas prices are in large part due to the closure of several refineries, notably Valero (Benecia, CA) and Phillips 66 (Los Angeles, CA). Governor Newsom has been on his hands and knees begging the oil companies to keep those refineries open (at least keep them running until the day after the 2028 election). Here is the response to Gavin’s repeated dire requests:
– Valero Benecia = Closing by April 2026. Will supply gasoline to Northern California through IMPORTS after the closure.
– Phillips 66 Los Angeles = Closed
– Chevron = Moved to Texas
Some believe that the closure of the refineries is a good thing, which would be fine IF solar, wind, and “other” forms of energy were ready for prime time. I personally don’t have to worry about gasoline prices very much, but many people do. Look at what Gov. Newsom did with Diablo Canyon extending its life at least another five years. Those in the know believe that this nuclear power plant will remain in operation at least until 2040 to 2045. No one except the pols in power think that’s a good thing. Newsom will be nowhere to be found if “The Big One” hits that area and we have a fallout disaster on our hands. Then what?
“Nearly two years”?? Wow, that’s astounding. Oh wait, that actually means almost zero statistically. And CA has THE highest taxes on gas in the country, and look where it’s going. Go Gavin, go Gavin…
Want wamp wamp.
Where is that tax going, BASIC? Are you saying we’re not using it, as intended, for infrastructure and pollution abatement programs?
I’ll wait…..
California has abused its taxpayers for decades, the liberals are terrible leaders. Time to cut the government fat, and reduce salaries staffing and benefits for our kings and queens in government.
Government servants., lol!!
It’s always funny to express comments that are detached from reality.
You’ll be coughing up more to fill your tank bro. I’ll be laughing at you–whomp whomp.