News Release
AAA Northern California
Media Relations
1900 Powell Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
aaa.com
Contact: Cynthia Harris - Cell (415) 307-3915
STATE GAS PRICES HIGHEST IN NATION
California Average Gas Price $2.77- Up $0.28 in One Month, Says AAA
EMERYVILLE, April 12, 2016 – California continues to be the most expensive market for retail gasoline
nationwide and prices are moving higher as the summer-blend continues to make its way to terminals
statewide, according to the latest AAA Fuel Gauge Report.
Today’s gas prices registering on the AAA gas survey show the state pump price of unleaded regular
is $2.77 per gallon, which is $0.28 higher than a month ago, but still cheaper than a year ago, when prices
registered at $3.10 per gallon.
The least expensive fuel can be found in Ukiah, where the average price for a gallon of regular is
$2.49. The highest price is in San Francisco and Eureka, where the average price is $2.85 a gallon, up $0.28
and $0.20 respectively, from last month’s AAA gas survey.
“State pump prices are likely to fluctuate as the supply of summer-blend gasoline continues to make
its way to terminals statewide,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “The restart
of the ExxonMobil’s Torrance, California refinery and the gasoline market is poised to be well supplied as
we enter the busy summer driving season. Barring any major disruptions or shortages in supply, the above
factors may keep pump prices relatively steady in the coming weeks.”
Today’s national average of $2.06 per gallon is the lowest for this day since 2009 and average prices
are about $0.35 per gallon cheaper than a year ago. Refineries are increasing their utilization rates,
following the spring maintenance season, and as a result the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
reported an increase in domestic gasoline inventories.
Unclear expectations about future supply and demand continue to influence global oil prices. OPEC
is meeting to discuss production issues on April 17, though most market watchers question if the
countries will agree on a freeze or whether the freeze in production will even be effective. A potential
freeze in production could cause prices to increase temporarily, though it is difficult to see how it will
reduce the market’s extreme oversupply.
The latest data from the U.S. EIA points to a drop in domestic production, which reportedly fell to
its lowest point since October 2014. Additionally, domestic crude oil inventories experienced their largest
weekly decrease since January, attributed to increases in the refinery utilization rate and the shutdown of
a pipeline due to a (WTI) to rally to close out the week.
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI was up $2.46 and settled at
$39.72 per barrel. This represents one of the strongest settlements for 2016 and is the highest weekly gain
since early March.
-MORE-
Page 2 of 2: AAA April 2016 Gas Price Report
AAA Monthly Gas Price Release Comparison prices from March 8, 2016
City/State/Region
Price Monthly
Change
City/State/Region
Price Monthly
Change
NATIONAL
CALIFORNIA
N. CALIFORNIA
BAY AREA
CHICO
CONCORD
EUREKA
2.06
2.77
2.71
2.75
2.60
2.69
2.85
+.33
+.28
+.38
+.33
+.46
+.37
+.20
SAN MATEO
SAN RAFAEL
SANTA CRUZ
SANTA ROSA
S. LAKE TAHOE
STOCKTON
TRACY
2.79
2.81
2.72
2.74
2.73
2.60
2.64
+.27
+.39
+33
+.33
+.39
+.39
+.37
FREMONT
FRESNO
MARYSVILLE
MODESTO
MONTEREY
2.70
2.70
2.48
2.58
2.73
+.35
+.43
+.47
+.46
+.41
UKIAH
VALLEJO
YREKA
2.49
2.68
2.76
+.25
+.36
+.30
OAKLAND
PLEASANTON
REDDING
SACRAMENTO
SALINAS
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN JOSE
2.75
2.79
2.71
2.63
2.74
2.85
2.74
+.35
+.34
+.37
+.42
+.37
+.28
+.34
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for
iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and
access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the recommended
pressure, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in
good repair. Other tips include avoiding sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening a
vehicle’s load. This will add to the current savings motorists are enjoying.
AAA Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with
over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with
OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV,
financial services and consumer discounts to more than 4.5 million members. AAA has been a leader
and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded 116 years ago.
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