California regular gas averaged $5.75 a gallon the week of November 2, down 14 cents from the week before and up $1.31 from a year ago, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, released November 3, 2026. Diesel in California averaged $8.08. EIA doesn't publish a San Diego average; Los Angeles is the nearest city it tracks, and San Diego stations usually sit close to the California number.
This week's official averages
| Where | Regular, week of November 2 | From last week | From a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $5.75 | -14¢ | +$1.31 |
| Los Angeles | $5.74 | -14¢ | +$1.33 |
| San Francisco | $5.70 | -16¢ | +$1.26 |
| U.S. average | $4.15 | -12¢ | +$1.13 |
From EIA's weekly retail gasoline survey (prices include all taxes), read every morning. EIA gasoline and diesel prices.
Why California pays more
The California Energy Commission gives five reasons:
- Taxes. State and local sales taxes plus the state excise tax, which is 63.4 cents a gallon since July 1, 2026 (CDTFA).
- A cleaner-burning blend that costs more to make, typically 10 to 15 cents a gallon.
- Environmental program costs from the state's air quality and climate rules.
- A shorter winter season, so the pricier summer blend is sold longer than elsewhere.
- An isolated market: few pipelines connect California to other refiners, so an outage here moves prices fast.
California Energy Commission: California's petroleum market.
Spend less on gas, step by step
- Know the number. This week's official average is above; a station far over it is worth driving past.
- Cut trips, not just cents. The trip reduction plan groups errands so the car goes out less.
- Leave the car home. The Coaster and NCTD buses run the coast.
- Hand off the errand run. PJ does several stops in one trip around Solana Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff, $25 to start. Text PJ.
Gas prices in Cardiff: one corner, by date
EIA doesn't publish a San Diego number, so here is one local corner: the Chevron next to the Cardiff Tesla Supercharger (815 Birmingham Dr), read off its sign in PJ's photos. Regular was $5.99 on Nov 4, down 20 cents from $6.19 on Oct 15. California's official average the week of November 2 was $5.75 (EIA).
| Date | Regular | Mid-grade | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4 | $5.99 | $6.19 | $6.39 |
| Oct 15 | $6.19 | $6.39 | $6.59 |
Gas or electric: what 1,000 miles costs
Got a Tesla? The charging ladder, cheapest last
What 1,000 miles a month costs in fuel on each rung, with SDG&E's winter prices:
| How you fuel it | Price | A month |
|---|---|---|
| Gas car, 30 mpg | California average $5.75/gal (EIA) | $192 |
| Tesla at home 4-9pm, TOU-DR1 | 61.5¢ a kWh | $151 |
| Tesla at Superchargers | $0.60 a kWh listed (NREL, Cardiff) | $148 |
| Step 1: set the car to charge after midnight (free) | TOU-DR1 super off-peak 43.7¢ | $108 |
| Step 2: switch the home to EV-TOU-5 (free switch) | super off-peak 12.3¢ | $30 |
- Schedule the charge. Free, set once in the car or the app, and it moves every charge out of 4-9pm.
- Look at EV-TOU-5. Free to switch, but it changes the whole home's prices (4-9pm costs more), so check which plan wins for your house first.
- Home charger. Tesla lists its Wall Connector at $585 on its order page, installation extra (it adds up to 44 miles of range an hour; the included Mobile Connector, up to 30 on an outlet). Hire a licensed electrician; what to check before you hire.
- Solar on the roof. Weekday 10am-2pm is also super off-peak on EV-TOU-5, and the panels make the most then: what solar is worth on your town's roofs.
Fuel only. Car: 2026 Model 3 Premium RWD, EPA 24.6 kWh per 100 miles (fueleconomy.gov). Rates: SDG&E TOU-DR1 and EV-TOU-5 total rates tables; gas: EIA weekly California average.
Rather just ask? Text your question to PJ, a real person in Cardiff, and he answers it. Asking is free. PJ sets the charging schedule, runs your bill on both plans, and switches the one that wins. Text PJ
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This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to charge a Tesla than buy gas in San Diego?
For 1,000 miles a month: about $192 in gas for a 30-mpg car at California's average (EIA), about $148 at the Cardiff Supercharger's listed $0.60 a kWh (NREL), and about $30 charging at home after midnight on SDG&E's EV-TOU-5. Car: a 2026 Model 3, EPA-rated 24.6 kWh per 100 miles.
How much is gas in San Diego this week?
EIA doesn't publish a San Diego average. California regular averaged $5.75 a gallon the week of November 2, and Los Angeles averaged $5.74, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
How much is gas in Cardiff right now?
At the Chevron next to the Cardiff Tesla Supercharger on Birmingham Drive, the sign read $5.99 for regular, $6.19 mid-grade and $6.39 premium on Nov 4 (PJ's photo), down 20 cents from Oct 15. California's average the week of November 2 was $5.75, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Why are gas prices going up in California right now?
This week they went down: California regular fell 14 cents to $5.75 a gallon the week of November 2, and that's up $1.31 from a year ago (EIA). Why California runs above the rest of the U.S.: the California Energy Commission lists higher taxes, a cleaner-burning blend, environmental program costs, a longer summer-blend season and an isolated fuels market.
Why is gas so expensive in California?
The California Energy Commission lists five reasons: higher taxes, a cleaner-burning blend that costs more to make, environmental program costs, a longer summer-blend season, and an isolated fuels market.
What is California's gas tax?
The state excise tax on gasoline is 63.4 cents a gallon since July 1, 2026, per the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, plus sales taxes.
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