California Gas Hits $6.15 as Experts Split on $6.50 or $7 Peak
Updated
Updated · CalMatters · May 13
California Gas Hits $6.15 as Experts Split on $6.50 or $7 Peak
12 articles · Updated · CalMatters · May 13
$6.15 a gallon is the statewide average this week, with California officials saying gasoline and crude shipments look stable only through mid-June before replacement barrels become costlier.
Six weeks of visibility reflects a heavier turn to imports as refinery closures shrink in-state capacity; Sacramento is negotiating longer-term supply deals with Asian refiners to extend certainty by three to six months.
20% of California's refined-fuel demand was already met by imports before the war, and some economists say more port, pipeline and storage capacity—not new refineries—is now the state's best buffer.
Oil industry leaders argue the opposite, warning California's special fuel blend and stricter rules make imports slower to source and more likely to amplify price volatility.
$6.50 is the more likely ceiling in one state forecast, but another expert says a 60-day Hormuz closure could add $40 to $80 a barrel—roughly $1 to $2 a gallon—and turn the squeeze into a broader crisis.
As gas prices soar past $6, is California facing a 1970s-style oil shock that could cripple its economy?
With supplies critically low, are California's own policies worsening a global energy crisis for its residents?
California on the Brink: Six-Week Gasoline Supply, Record Prices, and the Struggle for Energy Security in 2026
Overview
California is facing a critical fuel supply challenge as of May 2026, with gasoline reserves projected to last only six weeks and prices rising sharply at the pump. This crisis stems from the state's ongoing transition away from fossil fuels, which has reduced refinery capacity while demand for gasoline and jet fuel remains high. As a result, California relies more on external fuel sources, making it vulnerable to global disruptions and price spikes. The situation highlights the risks of shifting energy policies without matching changes in demand, and underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and balanced energy strategies.