Californians are facing another strain on their wallets: gasoline in California is above $6 per gallon and diesel prices are hovering near a record high.
The problem is no longer just about filling up the tank. Expensive fuel is putting pressure on family budgets, small businesses, and the cost of transporting goods.
Regular gasoline averages $6.1687 per gallon in California as of September 21, according to AAA, compared with $4.4786 nationally.
The difference is approximately $1.69 per gallon, while the California price has increased by almost 58 cents in just the last month.
California Gas Prices Top $6 as Record Diesel Costs Hit Household Budgets – Infographic – MundoNow – Source: gasprices.aaa.com A year ago, regular gasoline averaged $4.6590 in the state. Since then, it has increased by around $1.51 per gallon, or 32%. In a hypothetical 15-gallon tank, filling up from empty now costs around $92.53, compared with approximately $69.89 a year ago. Telemundo reported on the case of Rigoberto, who described how his spending has changed every time he visits a gas station.
“I used to fill up with $60. Now I put in $90,” he said.
The situation is even more extreme with diesel. AAA reports an average of $8.4208 per gallon in California.
A day earlier, it reached $8.4244, the highest state average recorded by AAA. A year ago, diesel cost $5.1649, while just a month ago it averaged $7.0770.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) identifies several factors behind the state's historically high gas and diesel prices.
Before the conflict, approximately 17% of the total crude oil used by California passed through that route, according to the CEC.
The impact is beginning to be felt beyond gas stations: Telemundo found consumers who are cutting back on personal expenses to reserve money for essential needs.
With gasoline above $6 and diesel around $8.42, every trip costs more, but the broader impact can be seen in how much money households have left for food, services, savings, and local spending.
