Any BMW drivers paying 8 bucks for a gallon of premium? My local Shell and Mobil just reached 7.63 today

[PurpleZ]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

well... I still don't know how may "liters" are in 1 gallon. I'm trying to figure out how to covert German gas station prices(2.01 euros as displayed at the station) to US gallons in US Dollar. Yes, I was never any good at math.

~3.78 litres in a US Gallon
~4.55 litres in a UK Gallon

[pbonsalb]

So why is one guy in CA paying $7.63 and another paying $4.96 for premium top tier? Seems like a pretty big difference. In my state, from my anecdotal observations, the range is about 10%. I pass through the Washington, DC area every month or two and see one Exxon that is about 25% more than others. But 50% is ridiculous.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

So why is one guy in CA paying $7.63 and another paying $4.96 for premium top tier? Seems like a pretty big difference. In my state, from my anecdotal observations, the range is about 10%. I pass through the Washington, DC area every month or two and see one Exxon that is about 25% more than others. But 50% is ridiculous.

Yup I agree "ridiculous"...boils down to regional market pricing with a 'splash of price gouging'.
After all, it's the American way

[25 V8 IS]

I just paid $5.99 a gallon for 91 octane on Friday 03/13 at the Chevron in Claremont at the corner of Mills and Foothill. Since I'm a caretaker for my elderly father, he pays for gas since I take him to appointments.

For the wife's CX-5, Costco all day (even waiting in line).

[TimmyTurbos]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Sorry, I was being a wise ass. Probably should've made that more clear, lol.

The question was "How many L in a Gallon?" and there are indeed two L's in the word "gallon".

Everyone knows a joke is super hilarious if you have to explain it!

That one went past me too! Good one!! Hahaha

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by 25 V8 IS

I just paid $5.99 a gallon for 91 octane on Friday 03/13 at the Chevron in Claremont at the corner of Mills and Foothill. Since I'm a caretaker for my elderly father, he pays for gas since I take him to appointments.

For the wife's CX-5, Costco all day (even waiting in line).

Last seen locally in OC, Costco premium at $5.39...
Some Shell stations are down right bargins given market conditions, jus gotta poke around a bit with their app.

[CBO]

91 shell is right at 6$-ish in my area (IE, socal). But I'm tuned for E85 blends and that's only 2.99/gal. It's been costing more to fill up my daily lately unfortunately.

[Phillies8008]

~$3.85 where I am in SC, so up about $1.00 from before our latest mistake.

[Elderado82]

$7.63 is crazy. We’re sitting right around $4 here in Nebraska, with the national average at $4.585 as of today. That makes California’s gas roughly $3 higher than the rest of the country, and it’s because the state stacks extra costs onto every gallon.

It starts with CA having the highest gas taxes in the U.S., then adding on expensive environmental programs and a special California‑only fuel blend that costs more to produce. Also, the state relies on a small, isolated group of refineries, so any outage sends prices soaring. All together you get a built‑in premium that probably isn’t going away.

I'm a Geek so I broke it down for you:

1. Taxes & Fees ($0.90/gal)
The highest in the U.S. This includes state excise tax, sales tax, federal tax, and various environmental fees. Accounts for roughly 30% of the price difference.

2. Low‑Carbon Fuel Standard + Cap‑and‑Trade ($0.60/gal)
These programs require fuel suppliers to buy credits or reduce carbon intensity. Adding around 50–60 cents per gallon, depending on credit prices. About 20% of the difference.

3. Special California‑Only Gasoline Blend (“CARB Gas”) ($0.50/gal)
California mandates a unique cleaner‑burning gasoline formulation. Only a limited number of refineries can produce it, which drives up costs. About 15% of the difference.

4. Refining Margins & Limited Refinery Capacity ($0.80/gal, highly variable)
California’s isolated market and aging refineries mean no pipelines from other states, few refineries capable of producing CARB gas, and big price spikes whenever there’s an outage. Refining margins often add 50 cents to over $1 during tight supply periods. This accounts for about 25% of the difference, but because it’s volatile, spikes can push it closer to 40%.

5. Distribution & Isolation ($0.20/gal)
Because California lacks interstate pipelines, fuel has to be shipped in by tanker when local supply is short, adding another 5% to the difference.

Altogether, these factors average out to roughly a $3 premium over the national price.

Honestly, the only guaranteed way around it is to start riding a bike, use public transportation (as you mentioned) or move out of California. Really sucks ya'll are paying this much for gas.


Sources:
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65184
https://www.energy.ca.gov/estimated-...wn-and-margins
https://legalclarity.org/california-...ou-paying-for/

[NWH83]

Originally Posted by Elderado82

$7.63 is crazy. We’re sitting right around $4 here in Nebraska, with the national average at $4.585 as of today. That makes California’s gas roughly $3 higher than the rest of the country, and it’s because the state stacks extra costs onto every gallon.

It starts with CA having the highest gas taxes in the U.S., then adding on expensive environmental programs and a special California‑only fuel blend that costs more to produce. Also, the state relies on a small, isolated group of refineries, so any outage sends prices soaring. All together you get a built‑in premium that probably isn’t going away.

I'm a Geek so I broke it down for you:

1. Taxes & Fees ($0.90/gal)
The highest in the U.S. This includes state excise tax, sales tax, federal tax, and various environmental fees. Accounts for roughly 30% of the price difference.

2. Low‑Carbon Fuel Standard + Cap‑and‑Trade ($0.60/gal)
These programs require fuel suppliers to buy credits or reduce carbon intensity. Adding around 50–60 cents per gallon, depending on credit prices. About 20% of the difference.

3. Special California‑Only Gasoline Blend (“CARB Gas”) ($0.50/gal)
California mandates a unique cleaner‑burning gasoline formulation. Only a limited number of refineries can produce it, which drives up costs. About 15% of the difference.

4. Refining Margins & Limited Refinery Capacity ($0.80/gal, highly variable)
California’s isolated market and aging refineries mean no pipelines from other states, few refineries capable of producing CARB gas, and big price spikes whenever there’s an outage. Refining margins often add 50 cents to over $1 during tight supply periods. This accounts for about 25% of the difference, but because it’s volatile, spikes can push it closer to 40%.

5. Distribution & Isolation ($0.20/gal)
Because California lacks interstate pipelines, fuel has to be shipped in by tanker when local supply is short, adding another 5% to the difference.

Altogether, these factors average out to roughly a $3 premium over the national price.

Honestly, the only guaranteed way around it is to start riding a bike, use public transportation (as you mentioned) or move out of California. Really sucks ya'll are paying this much for gas.


Sources:
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65184
https://www.energy.ca.gov/estimated-...wn-and-margins
https://legalclarity.org/california-...ou-paying-for/

Refineries (Valero, Phillips, etc) are also packing up and leaving.

https://www.independent.org/article/...onal-security/

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chevr...014237449.html

"California is experiencing a significant reduction in oil refining capacity, with closures like the Phillips 66 Los Angeles plant (late 2025) and Valero's Benicia refinery (scheduled for April 2026) eliminating roughly 20% of the state's gasoline supply. These shutdowns, driven by high compliance costs, strict environmental regulations, and shifting market demand, are expected to significantly increase gasoline prices and create fuel supply risks.

Key Refinery Closures and Reductions:
Phillips 66 (Wilmington/Los Angeles): Ceased traditional fuel operations in October 2025, with plans to potentially transition the site for other uses.
Valero (Benicia): Scheduled to stop refining operations in April 2026, removing roughly 10% of the state's gasoline production capacity.
Marathon (Martinez): Converted its facility to produce renewable diesel rather than traditional gasoline, reducing conventional fuel supply.
Phillips 66 (Rodeo): Transitioned to producing renewable fuels.

Impact on California Energy Landscape:
Reduced Capacity: The closures drastically reduce in-state production, forcing California to rely more heavily on imports to meet fuel demand.
Price Volatility: Analysts predict higher, more volatile gas prices, with potential for severe spikes due to the diminished ability to supply the market.
Economic and Policy Pressure: The shutdowns have caused labor concerns and increased pressure on state officials regarding energy policies, with critics warning of supply shortages and increased reliance on foreign fuel sources.
Infrastructure Shift: Several former refineries are transitioning to renewable fuel production or importing terminals, shifting the state's infrastructure away from crude oil processing."

[smokinjoe64]

OMG...current self induced gas price increases have zero to do with CA!

Root causes are clear, yet conspicuous absent from this type of foolhardy commentary.
Your 'price issues' have zero to do with CA and directly stem from economics and policies of those you likely voted for:

• Unilateral nonsense; typically by executive orders
• Tariff taxes
• War taxes

Far too often, folks from 'fly over, drive thru' states luv to bash CA whenever possible...fine, a peragatilve I suppose. And those that follow suit residing in CA that complain, always welcome to leave and head to the 'flatlands' or wherever else that suits ya.

California contributes the most to the federal tax base overall—by a wide margin.
Top contributors (total federal taxes paid)
CY24 these states send the most total dollars to the federal government each year:

1. California – largest economy and population +$275.6B or 1 out of every 6 federal tax dollars
2. New York +$76.5B
3. Texas +$68.1B

California alone contributes hundreds of billions annually in federal income, payroll, and corporate taxes.

Note the vast contribution difference from #1 CA which is same as the bottom ~25–30 states combined.

> Largest Net Funder = California

Bottom States by contribution
Lowest contributors (share of total):

1. Vermont — 0.12%
2. Alaska — 0.14%
3. Wyoming — 0.15%
4. West Virginia — 0.17%
5. North Dakota — 0.19%
6. Montana — 0.21%
7. Hawaii — 0.22%
8. Maine — 0.24%
9. New Mexico — 0.25%
10. South Dakota — 0.25%
11. Mississippi — 0.30%
12. New Hampshire — 0.33%
13. Idaho — 0.35%
14. Rhode Island — 0.37%
15. Delaware — 0.40%
16. Kansas — 0.61%
17. Iowa — 0.70%
18. Alabama — 0.74%
19. Nevada — 0.75%
20. Utah — 0.75%

For loud folks residing in "bottom states" et all 47 other, more advisable to 'stay quiet'; be very very grateful 'takers'; jus enjoy economic welfare and subsidies provided by CA
...so shhhhh jus tend to crops, chickens whatever else.

[BruinMan]

March 16th. Orange County California. We don’t get 93.

Seen higher at some Chevrons in Los Angeles. Last week, Costco was $5.50

[AnotherBrokeCFI]

Central Ohio area - Around here, $3.27 is the cheapest Shell regular 87. $3.49 average. For Shell 93, $3.89 is the cheapest. $4.49 is the average.

$7.63 is insane though. Airplane fuel is cheaper than that. Might I suggest moving to Idaho?

[Henn28]

Well said SmokinJoe. If I had a nickel (well, maybe a dime in today’s economy) for every guy I have worked with from a net-debtor state who told me how awful and screwed up someone else’s state was (always a net-funder state and almost always CA, IL or NY) I would be able to retire comfortably to the wine country of CA.

Why we spend so much time bashing the other guys’ states is beyond me. I get why politicians and the info-tainment media obsess over it (hint: the votes and money pyramid scheme), but why we allow them to play us like this is peak stupidity. We have 50 states for a reason…find one you like and live in it and don’t cry about the other guy’s state.

The cost of gas in CA is just a distraction to draw our focus off of failed policies and amateur-hour behavior from our elected officials who know that many of us only vote and donate money if they can convince us someone else is out to take our sh*t and ruin our lives. Total BS, but we get the government we deserve.

And yes, the top 5 net contributor states (including CA, NY and IL) fund fully 25% of the federal government, while the bottom 5 (mine included) contribute about 1% or 2%. Once federal payments back to those states are factored in the disparity becomes very, very large and represent a terrible investment for the top 5 states. So do they have something to complain about when they look at my arguably failed state (in metrics like education and public health) that they continue to prop up?

Gas prices in Europe average around $7/gal and somehow they get by.

Finally, I hate to admit that I’m old enough to remember when CA’s air quality in some areas was some of the worst in the nation and absolutely contributed to premature death and sickness. Bipartisan action at the state and federal levels has been a resounding success in cleaning up the Golden State’s air, and also has lead to higher gas prices. Can you imagine any of our politicians today finding a bipartisan solution to any of our glaring problems, much less an environmental one? We get the government we deserve.

[RockCrusher]

Last fill up of my M8 was March 09. Filled up at a Phillips 66 station, 91, and paid $4.1269/g.

[bonebroth]

$4.49 in upstate NY the other day.

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Well said SmokinJoe. If I had a nickel (well, maybe a dime in today’s economy) for every guy I have worked with from a net-debtor state who told me how awful and screwed up someone else’s state was (always a net-funder state and almost always CA, IL or NY) I would be able to retire comfortably to the wine country of CA.

Why we spend so much time bashing the other guys’ states is beyond me. I get why politicians and the info-tainment media obsess over it (hint: the votes and money pyramid scheme), but why we allow them to play us like this is peak stupidity. We have 50 states for a reason…find one you like and live in it and don’t cry about the other guy’s state.

The cost of gas in CA is just a distraction to draw our focus off of failed policies and amateur-hour behavior from our elected officials who know that many of us only vote and donate money if they can convince us someone else is out to take our sh*t and ruin our lives. Total BS, but we get the government we deserve.

And yes, the top 5 net contributor states (including CA, NY and IL) fund fully 25% of the federal government, while the bottom 5 (mine included) contribute about 1% or 2%. Once federal payments back to those states are factored in the disparity becomes very, very large and represent a terrible investment for the top 5 states. So do they have something to complain about when they look at my arguably failed state (in metrics like education and public health) that they continue to prop up?

Gas prices in Europe average around $7/gal and somehow they get by.

Finally, I hate to admit that I’m old enough to remember when CA’s air quality in some areas was some of the worst in the nation and absolutely contributed to premature death and sickness. Bipartisan action at the state and federal levels has been a resounding success in cleaning up the Golden State’s air, and also has lead to higher gas prices. Can you imagine any of our politicians today finding a bipartisan solution to any of our glaring problems, much less an environmental one? We get the government we deserve.

In fairness, I think the more meaningful measure would be dollars contributed per capita. It'd be silly to expect Delaware to contribute as much to the Federal government as California, for instance. Could be someone has done this, but I'm too lazy to look or do it myself. Just saying that the total dollar amount might not be an entirely accurate picture of the situation.

But I do agree with the general sentiment and think the list of positive contributors vs. negatives is... interesting.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

"SoCal" there's part of your problem. It's probably way cheaper across the border either State or National.

Could be way cheaper just across the street or even right next door.

Many times in the Livermore CA area and over in the SF Bay Area I found stations selling gasoline at a good discount compared to other stations. From 2003 to 2020 I commuted 60 miles a day and I paid close attention to gas prices.

In one case a very convenient Shell station had very competitive prices. I asked the station manager about this and he said it was due to the competition of the Safeway (grocery store) company gas station just down the street which had way lower gasoline pricing.

The station manager said with high gas prices his station sold no gasoline which is no surprise but his store business suffered greatly too.

At another discount gasoline station, a Quik Stop (sic) on N Vasco Road, I'd be filling up and watching vehicles pull in and fill up at the Chevron station next door and paying $1 more per gallon. Sure Chevron offers top tier gasoline and Quik Stop (I'm pretty sure) doesn't but I wonder how many Chevron customers were there just because of the top tier fuel or (more likely) just not really giving two shakes of a dog's tail about the price of gasoline.

And over the years when road tripping my -- usual route -- out of the SF Bay Area and points east I found big differences in gasoline prices.

If I wanted to pay eye watering gasoline prices all I had to do was refuel at any gas station in Needles CA.

I very quickly learned the areas with the lowest gasoline prices (Bakersfield, Barstow) and filled up at a station in one of these towns and then didn't fill up again until I reached Kingman AZ.

[Equilibrandt]

SoCal here (Ventura County).

We're at $6.03 on GasBuddy nearby, as a maximum.

If you don't already have it, y'all gotta get the Shell (with FuelRewards) and Chrevron apps. 22 cents off on 3/15, 3/22 and 3/29 in Fuel Rewards, on top of your current discount tier.

I've joked with my wife that this is one of the first times my M340ix is living in Eco Individual with Auto Stop/Start on.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Well said SmokinJoe. If I had a nickel (well, maybe a dime in today’s economy) for every guy I have worked with from a net-debtor state who told me how awful and screwed up someone else’s state was (always a net-funder state and almost always CA, IL or NY) I would be able to retire comfortably to the wine country of CA.

Why we spend so much time bashing the other guys’ states is beyond me. I get why politicians and the info-tainment media obsess over it (hint: the votes and money pyramid scheme), but why we allow them to play us like this is peak stupidity. We have 50 states for a reason…find one you like and live in it and don’t cry about the other guy’s state.

The cost of gas in CA is just a distraction to draw our focus off of failed policies and amateur-hour behavior from our elected officials who know that many of us only vote and donate money if they can convince us someone else is out to take our sh*t and ruin our lives. Total BS, but we get the government we deserve.

And yes, the top 5 net contributor states (including CA, NY and IL) fund fully 25% of the federal government, while the bottom 5 (mine included) contribute about 1% or 2%. Once federal payments back to those states are factored in the disparity becomes very, very large and represent a terrible investment for the top 5 states. So do they have something to complain about when they look at my arguably failed state (in metrics like education and public health) that they continue to prop up?

Gas prices in Europe average around $7/gal and somehow they get by.

Finally, I hate to admit that I’m old enough to remember when CA’s air quality in some areas was some of the worst in the nation and absolutely contributed to premature death and sickness. Bipartisan action at the state and federal levels has been a resounding success in cleaning up the Golden State’s air, and also has lead to higher gas prices. Can you imagine any of our politicians today finding a bipartisan solution to any of our glaring problems, much less an environmental one? We get the government we deserve.

Henn28 welcome the thoughtful, rational, and free-spoken comments.

In most cases, these 'characters'/haters have little to no actual experience living in CA.
Although originally from CA, have lived in many other states with mind-set of 'enjoying & appreciating' each state, what it had to offer, and with a positive outlook toward experiences.
Short list of states resided over time [sometimes multiple cities therein]:

1. NY
2. NJ
3. VA
4. MD
5. GA
6. FL
7. AR
8. MN
9. TX
10. WA

BTW - Another way facts overwhelm BS, narrow-minded CA bashers...
Most dependent states
(receive more than they pay)

1. New Mexico
2. West Virginia
3. Mississippi
4. Alaska
5. Alabama
6. Louisiana
7. Kentucky
8. South Carolina
9. Arizona
10. Maine

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

In fairness, I think the more meaningful measure would be dollars contributed per capita. It'd be silly to expect Delaware to contribute as much to the Federal government as California, for instance. Could be someone has done this, but I'm too lazy to look or do it myself. Just saying that the total dollar amount might not be an entirely accurate picture of the situation.

But I do agree with the general sentiment and think the list of positive contributors vs. negatives is... interesting.

Phillies8008 fair point and measure to consider...

Per-capita Contribution (who pays the most per person)
Different lens — smaller wealthy states dominate.
Top states by federal taxes per person:

1. Massachusetts
2. Connecticut
3. Washington
4. New Jersey
5. New York

[JABCAT]

In most cases, these 'characters'/haters have little to no actually experience living in CA.

While I wouldn't want to live in CA for a variety of reasons (the ridiculous crack down on car modification as one), every state has ridiculous laws.

I've lived in a handful, and have valid complaints about each one. In AZ my property taxes were pennies on the dollar, but the result of that is some of the worst public schools in the country. Vehicle registration costs are a % of the value of the vehicle, I find that excessive.

In TX, you have a lunitic native population that is indoctrinated from birth that TX is the greatest place in the world (it's not). My car registration is only $76, no state income tax, and you can buy a 4k sq ft McMansion for the cost of a falling down, 800 sq ft 1 bedroom in CA.

I grew up in IL which always had a reputation for corrupt politicians, especially Governors, yet TX has the most corrupt government I've ever seen. It's a give and take no matter where you live. Right now, my overall $$ goes further here in TX, and I just put up with the stupid all around me.

Now back to ridiculous gas prices directly caused by those who are stupid & voted for stupid.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Now back to ridiculous gas prices directly caused by those who are stupid & voted for stupid.

Roger That! Not a fan of nonsense either
...sometimes jus gotta 'set the record straight'

Off to fill the Raptor while trying to avoid a 'conniption' at the pump