Average gasoline prices in Modesto have risen 26.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.53/gallon as of March 4, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 30.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 1.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 2.7 cents in the last week and stands at $4.03 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $3.97/gallon while the most expensive was $5.19, a difference of $1.22/gallon. The lowest price in the state was $3.75 while the highest was $6.79, a difference of $3.04/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 10.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.34/gallon on March 4. The national average is up 22.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 3.2 cents per gallon lower 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.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices include: Stockton - $4.57/gallon, up 32.9 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.24; Oakland - $4.79, up 29.5 cents from $4.50; and San Jose - $4.77, up 32.4 cents per gallon from $4.44/gallon.

“A majority of the nation’s 50 states have seen gasoline prices rise, with the national average posting a gain for the second straight week, a trend that is hardly surprising for this time of year, and will likely continue as the entire nation has now made the first step toward summer gasoline,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The pinch at the pump has been manageable for now, with prices about 30 cents higher than mid-January, but that will likely change as we enter the madness we tend to see in March with refinery maintenance hitting its peak, impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases.”

Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back 10 years show the lowest Modesto price on March 4 was $2.18 per gallon in 2016 and the highest of $4.90 per gallon was recorded in 2022. Nationwide, the lowest average March 4 price was $1.81 per gallon in 2016, the highest of $3.92 per gallon was in 2022.

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.