Gas prices suddenly drop across California — but another price hike is coming

Average gas prices in LA County have dropped to $5.985 a gallon Tuesday, marking the sixth consecutive day of declines and the longest such streak since December 2025.

The LA County average is now 6.3 cents lower than a week ago — welcome news for Angelinos after weeks of pain at the pump — but it’s still 42.3 cents higher than mid-March and a whopping $1.11 more than this time last year.

The relief comes after President Donald Trump’s ceasefire announcement earlier this month, which briefly eased oil market tensions following the joint US/Israel strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28 and sent gas prices surging.

The Golden State’s average also edged down slightly to around $5.985, though Orange County saw a small uptick of six-tenths of a cent to $5.903.

Here are the latest stories on the rising gas prices:

Nationally, the US average fell another 0.7 cents to $4.118. But Californians shouldn’t celebrate too loudly — this breather could vanish. Fast.

GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan warned that with peace talks breaking down and the US moving toward a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, supply fears are mounting again.

Oil prices jumped sharply in Sunday night trading, and gasoline prices are expected to spike this week as the blockade ramps up.

“Motorists should prepare for another round of price increases,” De Haan said in a statement Monday, explaining, “The move toward a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is compounding global supply concerns and risks further disrupting flows, which pushed oil prices sharply higher in Sunday night trading. As a result, gasoline prices are likely to jump again this week … until there is a meaningful restoration of shipping through the strait.”

Where to find the lowest gas prices right now in LA County

Use the GasBuddy app in real time to map the absolute cheapest gas stations near you — some spots hovering around the $5 mark have been reported in pockets of LA County as the wholesale dip trickles down to consumers.

Prices vary wildly throughout Southern California, sometimes by 20–50 cents or more. Right now, the cheapest fills are popping up at independent and discount brands, and the deals move fast.

Current standout cheap spots in the LA area include:

• Berri Brothers stations at 5329 S Baldwin Ave., Temple City, and 2749 N El Camino Real,
  San Clemente are offering gas at $4.99 per gallon
• Costco (for members) at 17550 Castleton St., Industry is selling regular gas at $5.09 per gallon
• Stars & Stripes Travel Center in Santa Ana; Sam’s Club in Fountain Valley; and 76 in Bell are also selling regular gas at $5.09 per gallon
• Costco gas station (for members) in Huntington Beach is charging $5.12 per gallon
• Sinclair in Fullerton is doing $5.17 per gallon

California drivers have been brutalized lately, with prices climbing toward $6 (and some stations even higher) after the initial Iran conflict spike.

This six-day slide is the best streak in months, but with the Middle East blockade looming, many experts say fill up while the getting is good.

If you’re in LA, the San Fernando Valley, South Bay or anywhere in SoCal — top off that tank today. Tomorrow, or by the weekend, the pain at the pump could be back in full wallet-scorching force.

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