Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at GasPricesAAA.com. Photo designed by Magnific 

WALNUT CREEK, CA (MPG) - While the average for a gallon of regular gasoline in California dropped 4 cents this past week to $5.58, the national average turned upward, rising to $4.07 following a brief drop to $4.00 on Monday. Crude oil prices are once again in the $80 per barrel range amid continued uncertainty along the Strait of Hormuz.

“While gasoline demand is down, crude oil prices are keeping pump prices higher than normal for this time of year,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group. “So far, this is the highest August on record when it comes to the national gasoline average.”

In the bay area, fuel averages are $5.70 for San Francisco, $5.55 for Oakland and San Jose is at $5.49. 

In the central valley Fresno has an average of $5.49, Stockton at $5.37, Modesto at $5.38 and Sacramento at $5.49.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.03 million barrels per day to 8.96 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 209.7 million barrels to 208.7 million. Gasoline production also decreased, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose 7 cents to settle at $83.27 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 17.4 million barrels from the previous week. At 424.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 2% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 42 cents. In California, the average per kilowatt hour of electricity is 47 cents.

The nations top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($5.58), Hawaii ($5.43), Washington ($5.16), Alaska ($4.83), Nevada ($4.76), Oregon ($4.69), Idaho ($4.41), Arizona ($4.40), Utah ($4.32), and Colorado ($4.31).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Louisiana ($3.57), Indiana ($3.59), Mississippi ($3.60), Alabama ($3.61), Texas ($3.63), South Carolina ($3.65), Tennessee ($3.65), Kentucky ($3.70), Arkansas ($3.71), and North Carolina ($3.72).

In regards to electric vehicles, the nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are West Virginia (52 cents), Hawaii (51 cents), Alaska (48 cents), California (47 cents), Louisiana (47 cents), New Hampshire (47 cents), Illinois (45 cents), New Jersey (45 cents), Arkansas (45 cents), and North Dakota (44 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (31 cents), Missouri (32 cents), Iowa (33 cents), Maryland (34 cents), Utah (34 cents), South Dakota (35 cents), Nebraska (36 cents), Vermont (36 cents), Minnesota (38 cents), and New Mexico (38 cents).

Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay. Find current fuel prices at GasPricesAAA.com.