Want to save on gas in SLO County? Here’s where to find cheapest stations
California gas prices are always fluctuating, but relief may be on the way for drivers in San Luis Obispo County.
As California shifts into fall, gas demand is dropping, and pump prices are expected to ease soon, AAA said in a recent news release.
“There remains an abundance of crude oil supply, which is outweighing demand,” the automobile association said in the Sept. 11 release.
California drivers still pay some of the highest prices in the country, but the upcoming switch to winter-blend gasoline — which is cheaper to make — could help bring costs down, according to AAA.
Here’s a look at what you might expect to pay around San Luis Obispo County:
What are current gas prices in California?
After weeks in the top spot, Washington briefly passed California for the highest gas prices in the nation, AAA said.
Six of the seven West Coast states — including California — were seeing week-to-week increases, according to the automobile association.
However, California recently regained its crown as the most expensive state to fuel up.
As of Thursday, Sept. 25, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.64 a gallon.
That’s almost 10 cents more than August’s average and nearly $1.50 higher than the national average of $3.15.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.73 a gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in SLO County?
San Luis Obispo County has some of the highest gas prices in California, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the San Luis Obispo area was about $4.91, as of Thursday, Sept. 25.
That’s about the same as August’s average of $4.90 per gallon.
Around this time in 2024, San Luis Obispo drivers were paying approximately $4.85 for a gallon of regular gas.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in SLO County
As of Wednesday, Sept. 24, some San Luis Obispo-area stations were offering prices below the local average, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy.
These were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in San Luis Obispo County based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:
- San Paso Truck Stop, 81 Wellsona Road, Paso Robles — $4.29 per gallon
- Lucky 7, 1860 Main St., Morro Bay — $4.33
- Fastrip Fuel & Wayside Liquors, 710 Creston Road, Paso Robles — $4.35
- USA Gasoline, 1798 Main St., Morro Bay —$4.35
- Sinclair, 940 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay — $4.37
- One Stop Food, 703 Spring St., Paso Robles — $4.37
- 7-Eleven, 8000 El Camino Real, Atascadero — $4.39
- Gill’s Liquor, 1490 East Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande — $4.39
- Mobil, 911 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay — $4.39
- Sinclair, 222 Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande — $4.39
Why do gas prices drop in the fall?
Gas prices usually drop in the fall, because refineries switch from more expensive summer-blend fuel to cheaper winter-blend fuel, AAA said.
The official change starts in September, and many states can begin selling winter-blend fuel.
When will California make the switch to cheaper fuel?
In California, summer-blend fuel is required until Oct. 31.
“Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring,” AAA said.
How low could US gas prices drop this fall?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gas prices are expected to drop about 11% — or roughly 35 cents a gallon — between August and December.
“The forecast decline is driven by our expectation that crude oil prices will fall, caused by continued oil supply growth,” the federal agency said.
“In addition, the annual transition to winter-grade gasoline allows refiners to use less expensive components to produce gasoline, further contributing to lower gasoline prices.”
