Want to save on gas in Fresno County? Here’s where to find cheapest stations
California gas prices are always fluctuating, but relief may be on the way for drivers in Fresno County.
As California shifts into fall, gas demand is dropping, and pump prices are expected to ease soon, AAA said in a recent news release.
“There remains an abundance of crude oil supply, which is outweighing demand,” the automobile association said in the Sept. 11 release.
California drivers still pay some of the highest prices in the country, but the upcoming switch to winter-blend gasoline — which is cheaper to make — could help bring costs down, according to AAA.
Here’s a look at what you might expect to pay around Fresno County:
What are current gas prices in California?
After weeks in the top spot, Washington briefly passed California for the highest gas prices in the nation, AAA said.
Six of the seven West Coast states — including California — are seeing week-to-week increases, with California’s average rising by three cents.
However, California recently regained its crown as the most expensive state to buy gas in the nation.
As of Monday, Sept. 22, the average price for regular gas in California was about $4.66 a gallon.
That’s 15 cents more than August’s average and nearly $1.50 higher than the national average of $3.18.
Around this time in 2024, California drivers were paying about $4.74 a gallon.
How much can I expect to pay for gas in Fresno County?
Gas prices in Fresno County aren’t the highest in California, but they’re not the cheapest either, according to AAA.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Fresno area was about $4.63 as of Monday, Sept. 22, the automobile association said.
That’s an increase of seven cents from August, when gas cost $4.63 per gallon on average in the Fresno area.
Around this time in 2024, Fresno drivers were paying approximately $4.85 for a gallon of regular gas.
Where to find cheapest gas stations in Fresno County
As of Monday, Sept. 22, some Fresno-area gas stations were offering prices below the local average of $4.63, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy.
These were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in Fresno County based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:
1. EZ Trip, 2171 West Shaw Ave., Fresno — $3.79 per gallon
2. Sinclair, 1014 East Bullard Ave., Fresno —$3.87
3. Fuel Up!, 1021 East Shaw Ave., Fresno — $3.89
4. Costco, 7100 North Abby St., Fresno — $3.94
5. Sam’s Club, 7663 North Blackstone Ave., Fresno — $3.94
6. Arco & AMPM, 466 South Academy Ave., Sanger — $3.89
7. Fuel Up!, 4994 East Ashlan Ave. Fresno — $3.99
8. EZ Trip, 6639 North Parkway Drive, Fresno — $3.99
9. Parkway Gas, 5510 West Shaw Ave., Fresno — $3.99
10. Bad Bud’s, 6777 North Cedar Ave., Fresno — $4.09
Why do gas prices drop in the fall?
Gas prices usually drop in the fall, because refineries switch from more expensive summer-blend fuel to cheaper winter-blend fuel, AAA said.
The official change starts in September, and many states can begin selling winter-blend fuel.
When will California make the switch to cheaper fuel?
In California, summer-blend fuel is required until Oct. 31.
“Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring,” AAA said.
How low could US gas prices drop this fall?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gas prices are expected to drop about 11% — or roughly 35 cents a gallon — between August and December.
“The forecast decline is driven by our expectation that crude oil prices will fall, caused by continued oil supply growth,” the federal agency said.
“In addition, the annual transition to winter-grade gasoline allows refiners to use less expensive components to produce gasoline, further contributing to lower gasoline prices.”
