With average gasoline prices in Modesto falling by one penny per gallon in the last week, the cost at the pump averaged $4.26/gallon as of Monday, Feb. 26, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 3.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 19.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 2.6 cents in the last week and stands at $4.06 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $3.77/gallon while the most expensive was $4.89, a difference of $1.12/gallon. The lowest price in the state was $3.55 while the highest was $6.79, a difference of $3.24/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.24/gallon as of Feb. 26. The national average is up 13.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 9.2 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.

“Motorists have finally seen a bit of a break in the recent rise in the national average, with more states seeing drops than increases in the last week. While the pause has certainly been nice, this is more like a rain delay than it is a seventh inning stretch,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “It’s likely only a matter of time before we see the rise re-engage and prices start to head higher, but we’ll take any break that we can. Oil prices have shown some signs of struggling last week after coming within arm’s reach of $80 per barrel before falling closer to $76, but all eyes are on refiners as utilization remained seasonally weak, around 80 percent of capacity, meaning there’s less gasoline and diesel being produced. That’s why it’s just a matter of time before prices collide with rising demand and start to accelerate again.”

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices include: Stockton - $4.24/gallon, unchanged from last week; Oakland - $4.50, down 2.3 cents per gallon from $4.52; and San Jose - $4.44/gallon, down 2.1 cents from last week’s $4.46/gallon.

Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back 10 years show the highest local and national prices were $4.59 per gallon in Modesto and $3.59 per gallon U.S. average, both on Feb. 26, 2022. Lowest price in Modesto was $2.02 per gallon while the lowest U.S. average price was $1.73 per gallon, both on Feb. 26, 2016.

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.