Average gasoline prices in Modesto have fallen 9.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.88/gallon on Dec. 16, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 28.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 36.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 1.8 cents in the last week and stands at $3.47 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $3.35/gallon while the most expensive was $4.69, a difference of $1.34/gallon. The lowest price in the state was $3.23 while the highest was $6.79, a difference of $3.56/gallon.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 0.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.98/gallon on Dec. 16. The national average is down 7.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 7.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“As we edge closer to the end of the year, we’re seeing momentum for falling gas prices weaken, which is typical as the national average generally bottoms out between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With oil prices rising back above $70 last week, gas prices may have less potential to drop much further, though there may be a second window of lower prices in January or February in some areas, but even that won’t last long. While several states saw gas prices cycle last week, marked by a big jump in prices after a large decline, those that did see hefty jumps should see prices drift a bit lower, potentially making a second run at the season’s lowest prices. The West Coast, including California, should continue to see prices drift lower, but with just a few weeks left in 2024, all attention turns to 2025. GasBuddy’s 2025 Fuel Outlook, among the nation’s most accurate fuel price forecasts, will be released in the coming weeks, offering motorists a glimpse into gas prices for the coming year.”
Neighboring areas and their current gas prices include: Stockton - $3.98/gallon, down 5.8 cents from $4.03; Oakland - $4.22, down 8.3 cents per gallon from $4.31; and San Jose - $4.20/gallon, down 3.5 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.23/gallon.
Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back 10 years show the highest Dec. 16 price in Modesto was $4.52 per gallon in 2021 and the highest U.S. average was $3.32, also in 2021. Lowest price in Modesto and the U.S. average were both on Dec. 16, 2015 – local price was $2.39 per gallon; U.S. average was $2.01.
GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data. GasBuddy’s survey updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide, the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country.
