Average gasoline prices in Modesto have risen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.66/gallon as of March 18, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 38.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 4.0 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

The national average price of diesel has declined 2.2 cents in the last week and stands at $4.00 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $4.21/gallon while the most expensive was $5.19, a difference of 98.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state was $0.49/g while the highest was $6.79, a difference of $6.30/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 4.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.44/gallon. The national average is up 18.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 1.6 cents per gallon higher 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.

Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back ten years show the highest price in Modesto at $5.57 per gallon on March 18, 2022 and the highest U.S. average of $4.27 per gallon also recorded in 2022. Lowest Modesto price was $2.43 per gallon in 2016 and the lowest U.S. average was $1.98 per gallon on March 18, 2016.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices include: Stockton - $4.69/gallon, up 6.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.62; Oakland - $4.90, down 1.3 cents from $4.91/gallon; and San Jose - $4.85, up 0.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.84/gallon.

“Most Americans continued to see average gasoline prices march higher last week. The reason is the season: gasoline demand is rising as more Americans are getting out, combined with the summer gasoline switchover, which is well underway, and continued refinery maintenance,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The madness should slow down in the next few weeks as we’ve seen positive data that refinery output is starting to increase, a sign that the peak of maintenance season could be behind us. For now, gas prices will likely continue to trend higher, but the fever may break soon.”

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.