Will SLO County gas prices soar due to Middle East conflict? Find cheapest fuel
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Middle East conflict drives national gas price spike, AAA reports volatility.
- SLO County gas averages $4.92 per gallon, exceeding California's $4.65 rate.
- Paso Robles and Grover Beach offer lowest local gas prices at $4.35 per gallon.
As conflicts flare in the Middle East, San Luis Obispo County residents may be wondering if they can expect higher prices at the pump.
Gas prices are soaring across the United States in the aftermath of air strikes between Israel and Iran and a U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to AAA.
“Crude prices and markets will remain volatile, as events unfold in the Middle East,” AAA said in a news release on Tuesday, June 24.
How much does gas cost at SLO County stations right now? And where are the most affordable places to fill up your tank?
Here’s what to know:
How expensive is gas in California?
California drivers typically pay the highest fuel prices in the United States with the average cost of regular gasoline reaching $4.64 per gallon, as of Wednesday, June 25.
That is more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.22.
This is the 19th week in a row the Golden State claimed the top spot for most expensive gas in the country, according to AAA.
It’s one of only four states — including Hawaii, Washington and Oregon — to cross the $4 per gallon threshold.
How much will gas prices rise due to Middle East conflict?
While the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California was about 20 cents less than a month ago, AAA reported that oil prices are being affected nationally by global tensions.
“Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have added uncertainty to global and domestic gasoline markets,” AAA said in a news release on Sunday, June 22. “U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s response prompted a modest rise in oil prices during early trading this week, though markets have since steadied.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at fuel price website GasBuddy, said gas prices are rising faster than they have since the summer of 2024.
“Few pumps have been immune, with nearly all states seeing gas prices rise over the last week,” he told the Miami Herald.
He said average gas prices saw their biggest weekly increase since August 2023, when gas prices peaked at $5.13 per gallon.
Drivers can expect prices to keep rising over the next few days, with the national average price for a gallon of regular gas possibly going up seven to 15 cents, he said. The price for diesel could rise by 10 to 20 cents.
“These forecasts remain fluid and could shift quickly depending on global developments,” De Haan said.
What are gas prices in SLO County?
As of Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County had some of the highest gas prices in California, according to AAA.
SLO County was No. 10 in the state for most expensive places to buy gas in California, falling a few cents behind coastal counties including Mendocino, Monterey and Humboldt.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in SLO County costs $4.92 as of Wednesday, AAA said.
That’s well above the statewide average.
Gas prices in the SLO County have fallen since a month ago when drivers were charged $5.07 for a gallon of regular gas.
When will California fuel tax increase hit drivers?
However, all California drivers will be hit with higher taxes on fuel starting Tuesday, July 1, when an excise tax takes effect due to a new low carbon fuel standard, Bay Area news outlet Kron 4 reported.
The tax will rise from 59.6 cents per gallon to 61.2 cents per gallon, according to the news report.
Where are cheapest places to buy gas in SLO? Paso Robles?
San Luis Obispo County residents can escape the steepest prices at the pump if you’re willing to drive to less expensive gas stations.
These were the 10 stations with the most affordable gas in the county, according to GasBuddy on Wednesday, June 25:
$4.35 per gallon — Fastrip Fuel & Wayside Liquors, 710 Creston Road in Paso Robles
$4.35 per gallon — VP Racing Fuels, 684 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach
$4.37 per gallon — Sinclair, 222 Grand Ave. in Arroyo Grande
$4.37 per gallon — One Stop Food, 703 Spring St. in Paso Robles
$4.39 per gallon — Pismo Beach Gas, 890 North Fourth St. in Pismo Beach
$4.39 per gallon — Poppy, 591 Five Cities Drive in Pismo Beach
$4.39 per gallon — 7-Eleven, 1490 East Grand Ave. in Arroyo Grande
$4.41 per gallon — VP Racing Fuels, 1441 Spring St. in Paso Robles
$4.45 per gallon — Costco, 1540 Froom Ranch Way in San Luis Obispo
$4.45 per gallon — 7-Eleven, 99 Dolliver St., Pismo Beach
