Gasoline Prices In Pasadena Climb Even More As State Gas Tax Takes Effect

Pasadena residents can expect gasoline prices to go up during Fourth of July weekend, which is shaping up as the busiest travel period since the pandemic, after the state’s gas tax rose by 51.1 cents per gallon.

Gas prices have been surging nationwide as states reopen and residents move on from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gas prices in California are up 7.7 cents per gallon from June and are expected to climb even more in the coming days.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose four-tenths of a cent Friday to $4.312, one day after a run of 15 increases in 16 days ended when it was unchanged.

Award-winning travel and navigation app GasBuddy provides tips on where the lowest-priced gasoline on Thursday in Pasadena is being sold.

Regular gas was being sold for $3.95 at Ralphs, 911 E. Washington Blvd., $3.91 at Garo Gas, 960 E. Washington Blvd., and $3.91 at CTC Equity, at 1414 E. Washington Blvd.

The national average for gas is $3.09 a gallon, almost 5 cents higher than a month ago and 92 cents higher than this time last year.

For Californians, the state’s gas tax – already the highest throughout the U.S. – rising to 51.1 cents per gallon starting Thursday isn’t helping balance pump prices. GasBuddy reports that the average price in the state was $4.28 as of Wednesday. In the Los Angeles area, self-serve regular gas was $4.30 per gallon.

“July Fourth travelers will be paying the highest state average price for regular since the 2014 holiday weekend,” said Jeffrey Spring, speaking for the Automobile Club of Southern California. “Very strong demand and higher oil prices internationally continue to be the key drivers of higher prices.”

The Auto Club recommends motorists can save fuel by combining errands, using the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the family when possible, and keeping tires properly inflated.

Last week, the Auto Club said it was projecting a strong bounce back in travel over the Independence Day weekend, even greater than what happened during the Memorial Day holiday.

“The increase can be attributed to increased vaccinations, more states opening services and destinations, declining COVID-19 statistics and pent-up demand,” the Auto Club statement said. “More than 3.3 million Southern Californians are expected to take trips over the holiday weekend – a 46 percent increase from last year.”

The group said a little over 2.2 million Southern Californians traveled over last year’s holiday, which was a 35% decline from 2019 and the lowest number since 2009, following the beginning of the Great Recession.