California, September 2, 2025

News Summary

Gas prices in Southern California have surged significantly just before the Labor Day weekend, with an average price of $4.59 per gallon. This marks an increase of 10 cents or more statewide, with specific areas like Los Angeles-Long Beach witnessing a rise to $4.61. The increase is attributed to unplanned refinery maintenance that has affected wholesale prices, leaving travelers feeling the impact at the pump. As travelers prepare for the holiday, many are opting for alternative destinations due to the high fuel costs.

California

Gas prices in Southern California have surged ahead of the Labor Day weekend, marking a notable increase for travelers. In the days leading up to the holiday, prices leaped by 10 cents or more across most of the region, only the second instance this year of such significant price hikes.

As of Friday, the statewide average cost for a gallon of gas in California stood at $4.59, reflecting an uptick of nearly 8 cents from the previous week and an increase of 12 cents compared to a month ago. Interestingly, these current prices are around 4 cents lower per gallon than they were at the same time last year.

In specific regions, the average gas price has seen even steeper increases. For instance, the Los Angeles-Long Beach area experienced an average price of $4.61 per gallon—a rise of approximately 14 cents from a month prior and slightly above what was recorded last year. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara along the Central Coast noted a 9-cent increase over the last week, bringing the average to $4.59, which is also 9 cents lower than last year’s figures.

The recent surge in gas prices has been linked to unplanned maintenance at local refineries, which caused a spike in wholesale prices just last weekend. This disruption has contributed to increased costs that consumers now face at the pump.

Statewide and National Context

Currently, California holds the record for the highest average gas prices in the United States, followed closely by Hawaii and Washington state. While motorists are feeling the pinch at the pump, it appears that Los Angeles may not be a prime travel hotspot this Labor Day weekend. Many domestic travelers are opting for destinations like Seattle, Orlando, and New York, or choosing to embark on road trips to nearby beaches and national parks instead.

For comparison, nationwide gas prices are projected to average around $3.15 on Labor Day, marking the lowest rates for the holiday since 2020, and just a single cent less than those seen in 2021. This context highlights the significant price disparity experienced in California compared to the rest of the country, as travelers across the nation prepare for the holiday weekend.

Implications for Travelers

As gas prices rise in Southern California, travelers planning to hit the road this Labor Day weekend should prepare for increased fuel expenses. With some regions seeing the highest prices recorded this year, it is essential for consumers to budget accordingly and consider alternative destinations or travel strategies to mitigate the impact of the surge.

Summary of Key Points

• Southern California gas prices rose by 10 cents or more in the week before Labor Day.
• Statewide average price as of Friday: $4.59 per gallon.
• The Los Angeles-Long Beach area average is $4.61, up 14 cents from last month.
• Gas prices are significantly higher than previous years but are about 4 cents lower than last year.
• Unplanned refinery maintenance has contributed to price increases.
• California has the highest gas prices in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Los Angeles Times
• Audacy KNX News
• Live Mint
• Natural Gas Intel
• KTLA News
• Wikipedia: Gasoline
• Google Search: California Gas Prices
• Google Scholar: California Gas Prices
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Gasoline
• Google News: California Gas Prices

Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER

SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like 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 drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.