California gas prices top 6 USD as national average hits four-year high

A vehicle enters a gas station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 30, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, April 30 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

The national average rose to 4.3 dollars per gallon, seeing a 27-cent hike in one week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a non-profit association with over 60 million members.

In a news release, AAA said that the national average is 1.12 dollars higher than it was this time last year, as crude oil surged above 100 dollars per barrel "with no indication of when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen."

"Gas prices are the highest they've been in four years, since late July 2022," AAA added.

California posted the highest statewide average at 6.01 dollars per gallon on Thursday, followed by Hawaii at 5.64 dollars and Washington at 5.57 dollars. Gas prices in Oregon and Nevada also exceeded 5 dollars, reaching 5.15 dollars and 5.12 dollars per gallon, respectively.

Gas prices are displayed at a gas station in San Marino, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

The national average rose to 4.3 dollars per gallon, seeing a 27-cent hike in one week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a non-profit association with over 60 million members. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

People fuel their vehicles at a gas station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

Gas prices are displayed on a gas pump at a gas station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

A driver fills up his car with gas at a gas station in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

A woman fuels a vehicle at a gas station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

A driver fills up his car with gas at a gas station in Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

A vehicle gets fueled at a gas station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.

Gas prices are displayed at a gas station in Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, April 30, 2026. As U.S. national average gasoline price reached a four-year high amid global tensions, California -- where prices are the highest in the nation -- saw its average gas price surpass 6 U.S. dollars per gallon on Thursday.