Average gasoline prices in Modesto have fallen 17.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.14/gallon as of Monday, Dec. 18, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 48.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 17.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 9.2 cents in the last week and stands at $3.99 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $3.34/gallon while the most expensive was $4.99, a difference of $1.65/gallon. The lowest price in the state was $3.34 while the highest was $7.79, a difference of $4.45/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 8.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/gallon on Dec. 18. The national average is down 26.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 6.8 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 - $4.21/gallon, down 8.8 cents from last week’s $4.29; Oakland - $4.49, down 16.6 cents per gallon from $4.65; and San Jose - $4.50/gallon, down 12.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.62/gallon.

“As the nation’s average price of gasoline has fallen for the 13th straight week, we’re on the cusp of potentially seeing a $2.99 per gallon average for the first time in years, most welcome just in time for the Christmas holiday,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While the declines may soon come to an end as the price of oil has rebounded from recent lows, we could see a gentler 2024 at the pump for motorists.”

Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back ten years show the highest price per gallon in Modesto recorded on Dec. 18, 2021 when it was $4.52 per gallon and the U.S. average was also highest on Dec. 18, 2021 when it came in at $3.31 per gallon. Lowest price in Modesto was $2.40 per gallon on Dec. 18, 2015 and the U.S. average was also lowest on that date, coming in at an even $2 per gallon.

“Gasoline could see its (national) average fall below $3 this week while the price of diesel has just fallen below $4 for the first time since July, also very welcome news for the economy as nearly all goods are impacted by the price of diesel,” De Haan added. “All in all, the news continues to be good in terms of fuel prices as we enter into the closing innings of 2023. GasBuddy will be releasing full details on the year ahead in the coming weeks, giving motorists valuable insight on what to expect in 2024.”

GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data. 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.