Drivers in the Modesto area are paying some of the lowest gas prices in California, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The state began switching to a less expensive winter fuel blend on October 31, and AAA expects prices at the pump to continue dropping unless there are disruptions in supply.
“With the seasonal transition from summer- to winter-blend fuel, drivers are likely to see gas prices continue to decline, barring any disruptions in supplies,” AAA said in a news release issued on October 14.
The shift to winter-blend gasoline, which costs less to produce than summer blends, has begun. This change typically leads to lower prices for consumers. However, a fire at the El Segundo Chevron refinery in Southern California earlier in October temporarily affected West Coast pump prices.
AAA noted that “average price of gas in California only increased a couple of cents.” The organization added, “This facility is one of the largest in California, producing about 40% of Southern California’s jet fuel as well as about 20% of its fuel for cars.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, told The Sacramento Bee that the fire was expected to increase gas prices by five to twenty-five cents per gallon. In Modesto, prices rose by three cents after the incident, according to AAA.
De Haan also said that if the refinery continues operating below full capacity, it could influence statewide gas prices through the end of 2025 depending on how long it takes for operations to return to normal. However, the seasonal move toward cheaper winter-blend gasoline may help balance out cost increases related to the refinery fire.
In its October 14 update, AAA reported that California remained “state with the most expensive gas in the nation for the fourth week in a row,” with an average price for regular gasoline at $4.66 per gallon. As of November 11, this trend continued; statewide averages were around $4.70 per gallon—more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.07. At this time last year, Californians paid about $4.52 per gallon.
Stanislaus County ranks among California’s least expensive counties for gasoline. The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Modesto was about $4.36 as of November 11—five cents lower than October’s average and among the cheapest across Central Valley counties. Last year at this time, local drivers paid roughly $4.29 per gallon on average.
Some stations were offering even lower prices below Modesto’s local average. According to GasBuddy’s price-tracking site on November 11, several locations had cash prices under $4 per gallon:
1. Platinum Gas (2241 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto) — $3.83
2. Kwik Serv (1700 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto) — $3.83
3. Bonfare Market (145 North Santa Cruz Ave., Modesto) — $3.84
4. Quik Stop (1260 Geer Road,Turlock) — $3.84
5. Diamond Gas & Mart (1200 Sixth St., Modesto) — $3.85
6. Star Gas (708 West F St., Oakdale) — $3.85
7. Great Gas (801 Seventh St., Modesto) — $3.85
8. Marathon (613 East F St., Oakdale) — $3.85
9. Sinclair (2716 Coffee Road, Modesto) — $3.85
10. Quik Stop (630 East F St., Oakdale) — $3.85
