Average Gas Prices Surge 32 Cents in Modesto

Gasoline prices in Modesto have surged by an average of 32 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching $4.62, which is nearly 50 cents higher than last month and 36.9 cents more than a year ago. This increase is part of a broader trend where refinery maintenance and outages, particularly in California, are driving prices higher across the West Coast, with predictions of further increases of $0.25 to $0.60 by mid-April. According to GasBuddy, the national average price for gasoline rose to $3.16, while California's prices have already jumped to $4.85 per gallon. A fire at the Martinez refinery has exacerbated supply issues, contributing to the rising costs. Experts suggest these price hikes might peak between Easter and Cinco de Mayo before potentially decreasing in the latter half of the year. Overall, the current situation reflects ongoing pressures in the fuel market, particularly in states like California and Washington.