Prices at the pump have emerged in recent days as U.S. Involvement in the war in Iran intensifies.
The conflict in the Middle East is being blamed for pushing crude oil into the mid‑$70‑per‑barrel range. In California, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 5 cents overnight to $5.20, a spike of more than 50 cents from the $4.65 average just last week.
“The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” AAA said.
To save money on gas in Los Angeles:
-Use wholesale clubs like Costco (saving ~20 cents/gallon)
-Use apps like GasBuddy to find the lowest prices, and use grocery store rewards programs. Drive efficiently, avoid idling, and keep tires inflated to maximize fuel economy. With prices potentially volatile, consider filling up on Sundays when costs are lower.
-Use Membership Discounts: Costco, Sam’s Club, and Walmart+ often offer significantly cheaper fuel compared to traditional, branded stations in LA.
-Use Fuel-Saving Apps: Use GasBuddy or Gas Guru to compare prices in real-time, as prices can vary by location in the city.
Grocery Store Loyalty Programs: Shop at stores like Ralphs or Vons, which often allow you to use reward points to lower the cost per gallon.
-Use Cash at the Pump: Many stations offer a lower price per gallon for cash payments compared to credit cards.
-Optimize Driving Behavior: Avoid aggressive driving, rapid acceleration, and hard braking to improve gas mileage. Turn off your engine instead of idling for more than 30 seconds.
-Maintain Vehicle Health: Keep tires properly inflated and follow your manufacturer’s maintenance schedule to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.
-Timing Your Fill-ups: Sunday is often the cheapest day to buy gas, while prices tend to be higher mid-week, according to data from GasBuddy.
-Consider Alternative Transportation: Use public transportation, carpool, or work from home when possible, especially during peak traffic times in 2026.
