Gas prices have risen substantially across the United States in the last few months, and they're usually higher in California than in the rest of the country, meaning drivers in the state will really feel the cost.
While gas prices tend to rise over the summer, gas is about a dollar higher than last year, PBS previously reported.
Diesel has also gone up, impacting transportation and agriculture, two industries with a big footprint in the U.S.
How much has gas increased in California and why has it gone up so much?
How much do gas and diesel cost in California?
The national average gas price is $4.45, according to AAA.
California's average is the highest in the U.S., nearly a dollar higher than the second-highest state.
California's average is $6.38, while Hawaii, the next highest state, is $5.59,
as of Sept. 29.
The site also showed averages across counties in the state, showing that even at the lowest levels, gas prices didn't drop below $6.
Why is gas so expensive right now?
The Trump administration's war with Iran, along with refinery issues, has driven gas prices higher.
The national average as of Labor Day, Sept. 7, the national average was $4.14, PBS reported. The average has risen by more than 30 cents a gallon since then.
The rise has been attributed to the U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran in February and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, PBS previously reported. The waterway is key for transporting crude oil from the region.
Diesel prices also increased substantially, with part of the reason for the rise attributed to Russian refineries taking a hit from Ukrainian drone attacks.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told PBS that the Trump administration was working to increase production and forecasted lower prices in the coming months.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Why is gas so expensive? How do prices look in California?
