A gas station in the Mojave Desert, California, has recently made headlines for charging an astonishing $8.56 per gallon for unleaded gas, igniting outrage among local drivers. This price starkly contrasts with the national average of $3.37 per gallon, highlighting the extreme regional disparities in fuel costs. Midgrade and premium gas prices at the station are even higher, at $8.66 and $8.76 respectively. The owners of the station attribute these exorbitant prices to the high delivery costs associated with its remote location, complicating logistics and increasing expenses. [1863704d]
California consistently reports the highest average gas prices in the United States, currently at $4.59 per gallon, followed closely by Hawaii at $4.66. In stark contrast, Oklahoma boasts the lowest average gas price at $2.94. The rising gas prices across the nation have been attributed to increased travel and ongoing geopolitical tensions that have affected oil supply and demand since 2021. [1863704d]
On November 9, 2024, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to increase gas prices by an additional 65 cents per gallon as part of an update to the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) aimed at reducing emissions. Governor Gavin Newsom has been accused of collaborating with the Legislature and CARB to restrict oil and gas availability, which critics argue harms middle-class drivers while benefiting the climate industrial complex. This increase could push gas prices in California over $7.00 per gallon, with another planned increase of 50 cents set for January 2025. Newsom's long-term goal includes phasing out petroleum-powered vehicles by 2035, while California's cap-and-trade program is set to expire in 2030. [f53ab018]
In Florida, gas prices have recently reached a two-month low, with the average price per gallon falling to $3.31 as of Sunday. This marks a decrease of 2 cents from the previous week and 12 cents from a month ago. Notably, this price is 33 cents lower than this year's peak of $3.64 per gallon. In Miami-Dade County, the average price is slightly higher at $3.33, while Broward County sees an average of $3.34. Areas such as West Palm Beach, Naples, and Gainesville report the highest gas prices in the state, whereas the cheapest gas can be found in the Panhandle. [860a708c]
Similarly, Texas has seen a notable decline in gas prices, with the average price per gallon dropping by 10.2 cents to $3.00. This is 5.9 cents lower than a month ago and 46.3 cents lower than the price a year ago. The cheapest gas station in Texas was reported at $2.62 per gallon, while the most expensive was $4.19. [d15ce0ca]
Nationally, the average price of gasoline has decreased by 3.5 cents in the past week, now averaging $3.44 per gallon. This is 5.6 cents lower than a month ago and 37.2 cents lower than the price a year ago. Diesel prices have also continued to drop, with the national average now at $3.76 per gallon. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, suggests that while prices are expected to continue declining, geopolitical factors, particularly in the Middle East, could impact future trends. [d15ce0ca]