A Chevron gas station in Menlo Park, California, has drawn significant attention after charging an exorbitant $7.29 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel. Scott Budman, a local resident, captured the shocking price in a photo that quickly gained traction on social media. However, GasBuddy reported that the price had dropped to $7.09 per gallon by late Tuesday, suggesting that the initial reading may have been an anomaly.
Other gas stations in the Menlo Park area have prices averaging around $5.50 per gallon, indicating that the $7.29 charge may not be representative of the broader market. According to GasBuddy, the San Francisco region has an average gas price of $5.62 per gallon, while AAA reports that California is the only state with an average gas price exceeding $5 per gallon.
As of Wednesday, California’s average gas price stood at $5.41 per gallon, a substantial $1.75 more expensive than the national average of $3.66 per gallon, as reported by AAA. Notably, the average gallon of gas nationwide has increased by 13 cents in the past month alone.
AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross highlighted the influence of ongoing geopolitical conflicts on the oil market, particularly the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, he also noted that the period between the end of spring breaks and Memorial Day typically witnesses a lull in gasoline demand. This may lead to fluctuations in the national average gas price, including modest increases, stable days, and even occasional price dips.
Mississippi currently boasts the lowest average gas price in the United States at $3.10 per gallon, a stark contrast to California’s elevated prices. The disparity underscores the significant regional variations in fuel costs across the country.
