California diesel prices today
California diesel prices todayDiesel averages $8.38 a gallon in California on 2 October 2026 — the most expensive diesel in the country, and down $0.06 on the week.
California against the other states
$2.02 a gallon above the unweighted mean of AAA's 51 state averages ($6.36). No state has dearer diesel; the cheapest is Texas at $5.79.
Regular gas in California is $6.40, so diesel costs $1.98 more per gallon — and more than premium at $6.82.
Tax on a gallon of diesel
$0.24 federal + $1.09 California · the highest of 51. The rest — about $7.05 — is the fuel itself, refining, distribution and the retailer’s margin.
Rates as of 1 January 2026. Local taxes, where they apply, are not included.
Diesel prices by city in California
AAA's diesel averages for 31 California metro areas, cheapest first — $0.62 a gallon between the two ends.
| Metro area | Diesel | vs state |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro | $8.13 | −$0.25 |
| Chico & Paradise | $8.13 | −$0.25 |
| Yuba City | $8.20 | −$0.18 |
| Orange County | $8.21 | −$0.17 |
| San Diego | $8.21 | −$0.17 |
| San Bernardino | $8.24 | −$0.14 |
| Riverside | $8.24 | −$0.14 |
| Merced | $8.27 | −$0.11 |
| Bakersfield | $8.31 | −$0.07 |
| Redding | $8.32 | −$0.06 |
| Ventura | $8.33 | −$0.05 |
| Yolo | $8.34 | −$0.04 |
| Stockton & Lodi | $8.35 | −$0.03 |
| Los Angeles & Long Beach | $8.36 | −$0.02 |
| Santa Barbara, Santa Maria & Lompoc | $8.36 | −$0.02 |
| Hanford & Corcoran | $8.39 | +$0.01 |
| Sacramento | $8.40 | +$0.02 |
| Modesto | $8.45 | +$0.07 |
| Fresno | $8.46 | +$0.08 |
| Visalia, Tulare & Porterville | $8.46 | +$0.08 |
| Madera & Chowchilla | $8.48 | +$0.10 |
| Vallejo & Fairfield | $8.53 | +$0.15 |
| Napa | $8.54 | +$0.16 |
| Oakland | $8.62 | +$0.24 |
| San Jose | $8.63 | +$0.25 |
| Salinas | $8.66 | +$0.28 |
| Santa Cruz & Watsonville | $8.68 | +$0.30 |
| San Francisco | $8.68 | +$0.30 |
| San Luis Obispo, Atascadero & Paso Robles | $8.71 | +$0.33 |
| San Rafael | $8.71 | +$0.33 |
| Santa Rosa | $8.74 | +$0.37 |
Show the data as a table
What a diesel fill-up costs in California
- Diesel car or SUV — 18 gal$150.82
- Heavy-duty pickup — 34 gal$284.89
- Box truck — 60 gal$502.74
- Semi truck, two tanks — 250 gal$2,094.75
Diesel in neighbouring states
More for California
Frequently asked questions
How much is diesel in California today?
$8.38 a gallon, AAA's California average for 2 October 2026 — the most expensive diesel in the country. Regular gasoline is $6.40, so diesel costs $1.98 more per gallon.
Are diesel prices going up in California?
Diesel is down $0.06 (0.7%) on a week ago, and up $3.22 on a year ago, when it was $5.16, on AAA's own earlier averages.
Where is diesel cheapest in California?
Of the 31 metro areas AAA reports in California, El Centro has the cheapest diesel at $8.13 a gallon and Santa Rosa the dearest at $8.74. Individual stations vary around these averages.
How much is the diesel tax in California?
$1.33 a gallon: $0.24 federal plus $1.09 in California state taxes and fees, the highest of 51. The state average is $0.36. Rates as of 1 January 2026.
Is diesel cheaper in a neighbouring state?
Yes — Arizona ($6.28, $2.10 less), Nevada ($6.79, $1.59 less), Oregon ($6.82, $1.56 less). On a 100-gallon fill that is up to $209.60; whether it is worth the drive depends on how far the border is.