Southern California, September 2, 2025
News Summary
Southern California is experiencing a significant rise in gas prices, with average costs reaching $4.59 per gallon. This marks a 10-cent increase over the past week, largely due to unplanned refinery maintenance. The Los Angeles-Long Beach area sees an average of $4.61 per gallon, impacting holiday travel plans. Despite the rise, California gas prices are still about 4 cents lower than last year, as nationwide averages remain comparatively lower at $3.15 for Labor Day.
Southern California has seen a significant rise in gas prices ahead of the Labor Day weekend, with prices climbing by at least 10 cents in most areas over the past week. This represents only the second instance of such a sharp increase in 2024.
The statewide average cost for a gallon of gasoline in California reached $4.59 as of Friday, which is nearly 8 cents higher than the previous week and a notable 12 cents increase from a month ago. This spike in prices is primarily attributed to unplanned refinery maintenance that occurred last weekend, leading to a surge in wholesale prices.
In the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, gas prices averaged $4.61 per gallon, reflecting a 14-cent increase from the previous month and slightly surpassing prices for the same date in 2023. Additionally, Santa Barbara has experienced an increase of 9 cents over the past week, bringing the average price to $4.59, which is 9 cents below last year’s average.
Despite the rising gas prices, Los Angeles is not anticipated to be a preferred travel destination for the Labor Day holiday. Many inland travelers are looking towards cities like Seattle, Orlando, and New York or opting for road trips to nearby beaches and national parks instead. Nationwide, the average gas price for Labor Day is projected to be approximately $3.15, marking the lowest cost for the holiday since 2020, and remaining 1 cent below prices from 2021.
It is worth noting that California retains the highest average gas prices in the United States, with Hawaii and Washington state following in second and third places, respectively. Currently, statewide gas prices are about 4 cents per gallon lower when compared to the same time last year, despite recent escalations. This dynamic presents a mixed scenario for consumers, as they face higher costs while also witnessing a slight yearly decrease in average prices.
Gas Price Overview
- Statewide average gas price: $4.59
- Los Angeles-Long Beach area: $4.61
- Santa Barbara area: $4.59
- Average gas price increase since last week: 10 cents
- Labor Day weekend average gas price projected nationwide: $3.15
Background Context
Gas price fluctuations are common in California due to factors such as seasonal maintenance at refineries, changes in supply and demand, and international oil prices. The recent maintenance at refineries, which was unplanned, significantly impacted fuel prices leading into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. This has resulted in California travelers facing higher prices at the pump just as they prepare for the holiday weekend.
FAQ
- What are the current gas prices in Southern California? The average gas price in Southern California is approximately $4.59 per gallon.
- How much have prices increased recently? Prices have increased by at least 10 cents over the past week.
- What has caused the price increase? Unplanned refinery maintenance has contributed to the surge in gas prices.
- How do current prices compare to last year? Gas prices are currently about 4 cents lower than they were at this time last year.
- What is the projected average gas price nationwide for Labor Day? The nationwide average is expected to be around $3.15.
Key Features
| Location | Current Average Price | Price Change (Last Week) | Price Change (Last Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide California | $4.59 | +8 cents | -4 cents |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach | $4.61 | +14 cents | Comparable |
| Santa Barbara | $4.59 | +9 cents | -9 cents |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Los Angeles Times: SoCal Gas Prices Surge Ahead of Labor Day Weekend
- Audacy: SoCal Gas Prices Increase but Remain Lower than Last Year
- KTLA: Gas Prices Up as Holiday Rush Kicks Off in Southern California
- Sacramento Bee: Gas Prices and Personal Finance Insights
- ABC7 News: California Gas Prices Could Top $8 a Gallon by 2026
- Wikipedia: Gasoline
- Google Search: California Gas Prices
- Google Scholar: Gas Prices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gas Prices
- Google News: California Gas Prices
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
