AAA gas prices, Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo: gasprices.aaa.com)
Gas Prices Plunge to Lowest Levels in Years… Except in California
Californians are looking at gas prices to increase to $8.00 – $12.00 per gallon
By Katy Grimes, December 11, 2025 8:00 am
The nationwide average for regular gas is at its lowest level in 1,681 days — and trending lower, the White House announced this week… except in California, where the average price per gallon of gas is $4.43.
According to GasBuddy, average gas prices have dipped below $3 per gallon in 37 states, below $2.75 per gallon in 22 states, and below $2.50 per gallon in five states… except in California.
AAA reports the national average for a gallon of gas is $2.94… except in California.
In fact, Americans can even find gas below $2 per gallon at some stations in at least four states — with prices as low as $1.69 per gallon in Colorado… except in California.
The U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline fell below $3.00 per gallon (gal) to $2.98/gal, according to data from our Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. When adjusted for inflation, the December 1 price is the lowest average U.S. gasoline price since February 2021, the U.S. Energy Administration reported… except in California.
The lowest priced state is Oklahoma, with an average gallon of gas at $2.376… but not in California.
The highest price for gas is in Mono County, California at $5.66 per gallon.
According to the EIA, Retail prices for regular grade gasoline in California are consistently higher than in any other state in the continental United States, often exceeding the national average by more than a dollar per gallon because of state taxes and fees, environmental requirements, special fuel requirements, and isolated petroleum markets.
And, with two more refineries about to shutdown, it’s going to get worse and fast.
“California’s in-state oil production has declined by approximately 65% since 2001, while its dependency on foreign imports has risen by nearly 70%,” USC Professor Michael A. Mische, UC Berkeley Professors James W. Rector, and Joseph B. Silvi explain in a recent report. “At the same time, refinery capacity has fallen 21% since 2023 and gasoline demand remains largely unchanged at roughly 36–40 million gallons per day. SB 237, designed to permit up to 2,000 new wells annually in Kern County, will add some production but not enough to offset the overall statewide decline and will not adequately stabilize the state’s petroleum infrastructure.”
California’s highest-in-the-nation gas prices are self-inflected, as is the gasoline crisis in the state. This has subsequently increased dependency on foreign oil suppliers and shippers to supply fuels, and as we reported recently, this poses a direct threat to U.S. military force readiness on the West Coast, as California Assemblyman Stan Ellis, USC Professor Professor Michael Mische, and petroleum expert Michael Ariza warned recently in their report, “CALIFORNIA ENERGY & FUEL POLICIES: A CLEAR AND PRESENT THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND FORCE READINESS?”
California’s gas is 51% higher than the national average.
Professors Mische, Rector and Silvi lay it out:
Our analysis indicates that California can navigate its way out of this government- created crisis and avoid supply vulnerabilities and escalating consumer prices by implementing the following action steps [emphasis the Globe]:
- California’s most immediate, viable and sustainable option is to increase in-state crude oil production. The best, and essentially only way to achieve and sustain this benefit is to reopen the Las Flores Canyon pipeline system on the Central Coast and safely increase offshore crude oil production in the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU).
Read their report here, as well as why California’s Oil And Gas Policies: A ‘Clear And Present Threat To National Security’
Unless Governor Newsom implements increases to the state’s crude-oil production, reopens the pipeline and increases offshore crude production, Californians are looking at gas prices to increase to $8.00 to $12.00.
A California native and Navy mom, Katy lives in Sacramento, CA.
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What is the cause for the overall gasoline price drop?
More oil and gas production and a massive rollback of climate change regulations.
“California’s gas is 51% higher than the national average.”
This is unconscionable and immoral that we’re paying this kind of price for gas. Yesterday, I saw a post somewhere from back east where the price of gas is $1.69/gal. California is a lot more than 51% higher than the rest of the country. Even in states as close to us as Colorado, they’re paying under $2.00/gal. For years, back in the late 70s and 80s, we had lower prices than back east. I used to talk to my mom in FL at the time (before we could just look on the internet to see), and we were always less that FL prices. Somewhere along the line, that switched, and now we’ve been paying more than the rest of the country for many years.
We have the worst roads in the country with the highest gas taxes – where is all the billions of $ of gas tax money going? To pay for illegals healthcare and food? To Demorat slush funds? To Screwsome? All of the above? It certainly isn’t going to fix or build new roads!
It seems driving oil production and refineries out of California was an intentional act and then raising the gasoline tax compounded the cost per gallon. Isn’t there some kind of oversight on where the taxes go? Maybe CARB is the unelected body that controls the dollars so vehicle standards, bike lanes, air quality poles and green energy public transportation can be implemented and enforced. Cars and insurance costs continue to increase. From 15 minute delays, 15 minute search for parking to 15 cities.
no Donald, you can’t have the nobles prize
You can thank our great Governor Gavin Newsom. He has run California into the ground. He is a useless lying Slick Willie! He wants to run for President, what a total Jerk.
Yet a recent poll said that half of Californians think Newsom and the Commucrat Legislature is doing a good job. What is the matter with these people? Talk about stupid.
They have been brainwashed by the legacy media.
oh, you know, protecting the environment, reducing emissions and curbing global warming. gross
No surprise with this Deep State government and it’s delusional obsession with climate change. Many in California voted for this with the help of rigged elections.
Why not have transit riders pay for the full cost of their rides? Motorists pay 102% of our costs of transport, but transit riders pay less than 10% of operating costs (e.g., Fresno down to about 5%), and none of their fixed, capital costs. If we privatized transit, then we would not be paying for all the empty bus seat transport that the transit agencies say is an essential service. It’s essential for their brass & employees to get the above-market wages, salaries, benefits & pensions, and Golden Parting Windfalls for top agency brass. We’re seeing CAHSRA force the same taxpayer-killing model as the transit agencies bless us with: Motorists & taxpayers gouged to Heck and back; transit agency vested interests get everything on their Wish List. California is No Santa Claus Land for motorists and taxpayers; while it’s All Your Dreams Come True Land for transit’s powerful vested interests.
We’re being ‘treated’ to a side by side comparison of the globalist cult inspired WEF/UN agenda with sensible economic and environmental policy. However, the odds that the Democrat party will retake control of both houses of Congress next year are better than 50/50. What happens if they succeed in regaining power over the Federal government? They’ve shown us what they’ll do, and promised much worse, including persecution of everyone who opposed them. We all need to think about how we will respond, and prepare accordingly.
You idiots voted for that greasy haired, pencil necked, used car salesman, now you get what you voted for stupid! Liberal retards reaping what they sowed.